What Is The Benefit Of Government Travel Charge Card?

This article talks about the Department of Defense’s GTCC program, the charge cards that are available, and how to get one.

Here are some ideas on how to use (and not use) your government credit card to avoid difficulties.

What is a Government Travel Charge Card?

A GTCC is a commercial credit card that the Department of Defense (DoD) gives to military and civilian employees for travel costs.

This includes PCS transfers and temporary duty assignments for military members so they don’t have to pay for work-related expenses.

Citibank issues GTCC credit cards. DoD programme coordinators at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) troubleshoot for military members and federal employees.

DTMO sets GTCC policy while Citibank issues credit card statements. It’s the primary agency.

Obtaining a Government Travel Charge Card

Military members can’t use GTCC until it’s a work requirement. Those who want a GTCC must first take a training course online and then apply through Citibank.

Types of Government Travel Charge Cards

Government charge cards fall into two categories:

• Individually Billed Accounts (IBAs)

• Centrally Billed Accounts (CBAs)

Individually Billed Accounts (IBAs)

Individually billed accounts are issued for travel expenses. The military member pays for these cards.

Standard cards from the Department of Defense are available to people with a credit score of 660 or more. It’s $7,500.

The Restricted Card has a $4,000 credit limit and is available to people with bad credit (500-659). Government charge cards are monitored. When travel isn’t approved, they’re deactivated.

Centrally Billed Accounts (CBAs)

CBAs can be used for travel expenditures.

These are government-issued cards (so the cardholder has fewer personal responsibilities). They’re useless. Centrally billed accounts are government-liable, unlike individually billed accounts.

Uses of a Government Travel Card

The Rules of a Government Travel Card

How to Responsibly Use Your Government Travel Card

Responsible government charge card use comprises three main activities:

1. Use the card only for government travel;
2. Accurate billing (typically with printed receipts);
3. Payment on time

The government charge card should never be used personally. Only official travel is permitted. Commutes to work or family vacations aren’t “official travel.”

Cardholders have five days after a PCS or TDY to fill out a “travel claims” report in the Defense Travel System.

Include scanned receipts, amounts, dates, and descriptions. Foreign exchange fees must be paid.

Individually Billed Account cardholders must pay off the government travel card.

Details of the trip report In the Defense Travel System, cardholders are encouraged to use the “split-discourse” option to reimburse service members for out-of-pocket expenses and per-diem rates while paying off all government credit card charges in full.

Incorrect Uses of a Government Travel Card

The most prevalent ways military personnel misuse government travel cards are:

• Using the card for unofficial/non-approved travel or personal use
• Overspending
• Using the split disbursement feature incorrectly
• Failing to submit timely and/or accurate travel reports in DTS
• Failing to pay the card balance on time
• Including alcohol on receipts for DTS submission

If a card member misuses a GTCC 75 days after the due date, their account can be closed or suspended.

Serious crimes can lead to a court martial, an Article 15 hearing, or formal counseling. To stay safe, remember good GTCC etiquette:

1. Only for government-approved travel;
2. Submit a timely, correct DTS report using split reimbursement;
3. Pay down the GTCC on time.

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