Controlled Spend Account eases travel procedures

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The government travel card program is in the process of changing to Controlled Spend Accounts and it is important for travelers to know about the changes.

Current government travel card holders may apply for a new CSA now, but as government travel cards expire, card holders will be automatically enrolled in the CSA program and receive new cards in the mail.

"Once a card holder receives a CSA, all they need to do is acknowledge the receipt of the card by calling Citi," said Tech. Sgt. Adolphus Hardy, assistant chief of the Financial Services Comptroller Flight at Hanscom.

The first phase of the conversion is slated to be complete by spring 2011. The first phase includes all expiring accounts, infrequent travelers, occasional travelers, frequent travelers and super travelers for both military and eligible civilians.

There are many benefits to the new CSA. It may be used for official travel, including temporary duty assignments, permanent change of station or deployment orders. In addition, no credit check is required, so anyone may receive one.

With a GTC, credit limits were set based on credit worthiness. Now, with a CSA, spending limits adjust up or down based on approved travel orders. Once a travel authorization is approved, the estimated amount is sent to Citi to load the limit on the card.

If more funds are needed during travel, the card holder may call Citi directly for any temporary spend limit increases.

With the old GTC, the card holders were responsible for managing delinquency. With the new CSA, delinquency management is not an issue and delinquency-related disciplinary action duties are removed from first sergeants and commanders.

"The CSA reduces the risk of misuse and delinquencies," said Sergeant Hardy. "The CSA only has value if an individual has an approved travel order."

Voucher payments are also handled differently. With a GTC, users indicated a split disbursement when filing. Now, 100 percent of voucher payments must be loaded on the CSA. This is called TTR, or total trip reimbursement. Card holders can have immediate access to the residual balance after all charges have been reconciled.

"After reconciliation, the residual balance is the traveler's to spend," Sergeant Hardy said. "Any residual balance on the CSA card belongs to the traveler, which may be used however the traveler wishes. They may access this residual by withdrawing it from an ATM, asking Citi to wire transfer it to their bank account or requesting a check to be mailed to their home."

Finally, the CSA card is a Visa, a major credit card, and card holders can use the card wherever Visa is accepted.

Information and preliminary training about the Controlled Spend Account can be found by visiting www.airforcetravelcard.transactionservices.citi.com. For further information about CSA, contact the 66th Comptroller Squadron at 781-377-2751.