Out with the old, in with the new: Government Travel Card Change-over

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erica Stewart
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Beginning Nov. 30, Bank of America United States government travel cards will be turned off and the new Citibank GTC's will be activated.

Citibank is the 2nd largest bank holding company in the United States, according to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Web site (www.ffiec.gov) and continues to prosper with the addition of a military contract.

Unlike personal bank accounts which can be changed via computer, actual legwork is required to accomplish the GTC change.

"One of the most important things to remember is to ensure your old GTC isn't holding a balance before you use the Citibank GTC," said Tech. Sgt. Shy Murfield, 39th Comptroller Squadron financial services chief. "The account must be at $0 balance before the government closes it."

This doesn't mean the new card cannot be "activated" before the old card's balance is closed out; it means the Bank of America GTC's balance should be paid-off before using the new card.

"If a cardholder has a credit balance on their Bank of America account, it is imperative they contact the bank prior to Nov. 29 and ask that the credit balance be refunded immediately," said Senior Airman Rafael Gerena, 39 CPTS financial service technician. "If an account has a credit balance at the end of the contract and Bank of America cannot contact the individual, the credit balance will be turned over to the state where the individual claims residence."

Also, Uncle Sam won't be able to pay both the Bank of America GTC's balance and the Citibank GTC's through split dispersment.

"You are only allowed to disperse funds to one account," said Sergeant Murfield. "If you carry a balance on the old card and use the new card, one of those accounts will not get paid."

Even with the company swap, GTC rules have not changed.

"Even though we've switched banks, the rules for the GTC have not changed and it's important to follow the rules and use the GTC responsibly," said Airman Gerena.

Common GTC blunders include not paying the balance on-time and purchasing unauthorized items.

"You are only allowed to use the GTC for official business and during official travel," said Sergeant Murfield. "Some examples of official travel expenses are airfare, lodging, ATM withdrawals, car rental, fuel and meals."

Unlike the personal credit card, shredding the old government issued credit card is not the answer.

"The proper disposal procedure for the old card is to turn it in to your unit representative, after the appropriate steps have been taken to pay off the account and activate the new card," said Airman Gerena.

For more information and detailed instructions concerning the transition to a new GTC as well as a rules refresher go to the Web site www.defensetravel.gov/Passport or contact the respective GTC agency program coordinator.