Aviano readies for GTC transition

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Gregory Cappuzzo
  • 31st Comptroller Squadron Financial Services Flight commander
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The 31st Comptroller Squadron is preparing for the transition from the controlled spend account to the government travel card program projected for the end of fiscal year 2012.

For any travel card program to work, it has to benefit all travelers. The Air Force is transitioning from the CSA card back to the GTC because the CSA brought significant challenges for its most frequent travelers and for those with unique mission sets. Even with planned program improvements, issues would remain and therefore transition back to the GTC was needed to meet mission requirements.

Members who are currently using the blue CSA card are advised to keep it and continue to use it for official travel requirements. Late this summer, Citi will be notifying cardholders that their cards will be switched over to the GTC. Unlike the CSA rollout, transition back to the GTC card will not have any impact on the mission. Members will keep the same cards they currently have as only the "guts" of the card will change. This change will ensure credit limit is permanently loaded on the GTC, just like the traditional credit card has always worked.

Currently, it's business as usual here at Aviano. Members are still expected to submit orders in a timely manner, use the credit card for all official travel requirements and disburse voucher payments to Citi to pay the outstanding balance in full.

Lessons learned from the CSA card implementation will continue to benefit the Air Force travelers as DTS upgrades, training information and the ability to complete electronic funds transfers continue to be a part of the traveler experience now, as well as in the future.

The new program may potentially face challenges this fall with credit checks and statements of understanding needing to be completed, but those challenges are far outweighed by the simplicity of the GTC card. Members will not be able to switch back to their gray GTC; they will have to use the blue CSA card until the official transition occurs.

Travelers can always check their GTC or CSA statements, account information and current balances by "Self Registering for Cardholders" on the Citi website at: https://home.cards.citidirect.com/CommercialCard/Cards.html. To ensure that travelers are getting updates from Citi about the GTC transition and to ensure the balance of the card is paid in full, all cardholders should ensure that their contact information is correct in the Citi system under "My Profile"

Please direct any questions through your squadron agency program coordinators and be sure to be on the lookout for more information from Citi as Aviano travelers and the finance office transition through this process together.