Barksdale switches back to GTC

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale Airmen using the Controlled Spend Account for temporary duty, permanent change of station and deployment will soon transition back to the Government Travel Card for their travel-related expenses.

Airmen will be required to take online training starting June 4 in preparation for the change, slated to begin in August.

"APCs or agency program coordinators will have the training information for their members," said 2nd Lt. Joe Regan, 2nd Comptroller Squadron. "They are the folks in every squadron that monitor and manage their squadron's GTC holders."

Rather than waiting for orders to get money on their cards, like Airmen had to do with the CSA, the money will be permanently authorized on the GTCs.

According to Col. Robert Blue, Air Force Global Strike Command financial management and comptroller director, the set credit limit will be $4,000 for a restricted account GTC. These cards will only be issued to individuals who don't consent to a credit check, have a FICO score of 500 to 659, no credit history, or as directed by the member's commander or supervisor. A standard GTC account for individuals with a FICO score of 660 or more will be issued a $7,500 limit.

The transition from CSAs to GTCs will happen automatically, so the member will still be able to use the blue card they've always used.

It's the member's responsibility to know whether or not they have a card, and how to use it correctly, said Regan. Each squadron's APC is available to help those who have questions about the transition.

"For those Airmen who will not be able to have a GTC, finance is here to help," he said. "If a member without a card has to go TDY, we need that member inside the finance office at least three days prior to the trip. This way we can set the member up with an advance pay to make sure he or she has the funds to go on the trip."

In addition to funds for the trip, Airmen without a GTC can go over to Boresma Travel and use the centrally billed account to book a flight to their destination.

Members will once again have the option to split-disburse any residual funds to his or her personal account, eliminating the requirement to contact CitiBank to request any residual balance.

"The GTC, with its constant credit limit, allows greater flexibility for last minute travel orders and eliminates the need for temporary spend limit increases," Blue said.

For more information about the changes, contact your squadron's APC.

Kate Blais, Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs, contributed to this story.