Government Travel Card: Financial Readiness Published Sept. 18, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Caleb Pierce 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The government travel card can be useful with official government travel and expenses, but if Airmen are not careful, this card can affect more than just being overdue on a payment. The 39th Comptroller Squadron works with and educates members on how to use a GTC properly. Knowing the ins and outs of the GTC is key in helping members be responsible cardholders and ultimately ensure readiness. The GTC is not just another credit card for personal expenses, it's for official government use only. Therefore, the card must be active or it will not be useable or beneficial. "First and foremost, the government travel card is used for official travel," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Foss, 39th Comptroller Squadron, wing agency program coordinator. "Second, ensure that your card is active before you travel." To use the card effectively, Airmen must understand the proper use and their responsibilities in managing the card. "If the card is used properly, the GTC promotes financial readiness and reduces the financial burden during official business travel such as permanent change of station moves, deployments, temporary duty assignments or permanent duty travel," said Foss. Cardholders should remember they are liable for payment of the full-undisputed amount indicated on the billing statement by the due date, regardless of the status of their travel reimbursement. "Cardholders who fail to resolve outstanding balances can become delinquent," explained Foss. "A cardholder's account becomes delinquent at 61 days past the billing cycle and is suspended due to non-payment." Having your card paid and current helps you and helps give back to Incirlik through a major command program designed to rebate installations that achieve the Air Force's goal. The Air Force goal is to have two percent or less of all dollars in delinquent status at the end of each billing cycle. Rebates received are additional funds that can be used by the wing commander to purchase additional items for Incirlik. "We have reached the Air Force goal for five out of the last six months," said Maj. Mishaun Smith, 39th Comptroller Squadron commander. "We will continue to do well and excel at this program if we continue to make it a priority as a wing, and we understand our individual responsibility to take care of our business in a timely manner as Airmen." Knowing that it is our responsibility, military members must maintain readiness at all times. Part of being ready requires members to be financially fit. "The bottom line is that having a current, paid and ready GTC is a readiness issue," said Master Sgt. Kimberly Guler, 39th Air Base Wing, Wing Staff Agencies and 39th Comptroller Squadron first sergeant. "Ensuring our GTC is always current, paid and ready for sudden deployments, TDYs or an emergency medical situation is very important and is also a necessary part of our financial readiness. There is no room for financial irresponsibility." Travelers that are experiencing issues with their travel cards, online accounts or have questions pertaining to charges, balances and delinquent accounts should direct questions to their unit agency program coordinator. Cardholders can also review their accounts and billing statements online. A link to the online website is located on the Air Force Portal main page under Finance and Travel, entitled Citibank Cardholder Access. Members can also use the following link https://home.cards.citidirect.com. General account information can be accessed by calling 1-800-200-7056.