by Tech. Sgt. Chyenne A. Adams
Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
9/9/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Policy changes concerning the use of the Air Force's new Controlled Spend Account cards were spelled out in a policy letter from Headquarters Air Force Aug. 26.
Effective immediately, personal use of the CSA is not authorized.
The CSA is the program the Air Force implemented this year to replace the Government Travel Card. Initially, personal use of the new CSA card was allowed if there was a residual balance remaining on the card after the travel voucher was filed.
As of now, the CSA card may only be used for expenses related to official government travel. After an individual has filed a travel voucher within five days after their official travel (per Joint Federal Travel Regulation, appendix O) or during inprocessing following a permanent change of station, any balance remaining on the card can be obtained by the traveler through one of the following options:
- Electronic transfer to a personal account through Citi's on-line access system or by calling them directly
- Withdraw the balance via an ATM (there is a two percent fee)
- Request a check by mail by calling Citi, or a check will be automatically mailed to the cardholder after 60 days of account inactivity
Any questions or problems can be handled through individual unit agency program coordinators.
Comments
11/25/2011 7:39:47 AM ET Just finished my first TDY with this card and what a pain. Had to keep calling to get more money loaded. Card declined numerous times. Didn't use it except what it was meant for couldn't ammend orders and trip was altered. Stayed off base and the authorized money was gone on first leg of 38 day tdy. What a pain. Go back to old card.
What a Joke, NEW YORK
9/13/2011 12:04:19 AM ET The CSA card is now officaially the most pointless piece of plastic in my wallet. It is just plain stupid how difficult it is to use while TDY. It constantly gets declined and has zero flexability. Next time you do something like this take peoples issues with it seriously.
DE, HI
9/11/2011 10:41:39 PM ET So basically we're going back to the old GTC card. I wonder how many EPR/OPRs have the conversion from GTC to CSA as a bullet. After 12 years in the Air Force, I'm starting to see what the old timers called full circle. It seems that all the programs that were eliminated are somehow coming back. First finance, now this. Tomorrow maybe they'll announce the return of the orderly rooms.
John Bull, Offutt AFB NE
9/11/2011 5:54:01 PM ET Saw this one coming I'm waiting for them to say that all residual funds will be confiscated.
Load, Vegas
9/10/2011 3:45:20 PM ET Hopefully this is the first step in getting rid of the CSA completely. This card does not work as well as the GTC for the frequent travelers in the USAF. The CSA program was implemented poorly. Standing by for words that the CSA has been eliminated...
Caveman, Bedrock
9/10/2011 12:35:23 PM ET AF gives our per diem to the credit card, no more split disbursement. Now we can jump through hoops to get our funds,wait 60 days pay ATM fees or give personal banking info to the credit card company. Seems like the AF is looking out for the credit card vendor not our Airmen. Nice job keep up the good work
amn nobody, usa
9/10/2011 7:22:11 AM ET You mean to tell me all the smart folks who work in finance didn't see this coming Folks complained about the GTC for years but honestly that was the best way of conducting business. The new CSA is a horrible idea and I expect we go back to the GTC in the not to distant future with the complaints I see coming down the road
Scott, Europe
9/9/2011 8:12:00 PM ET I cant believe nobody in charge of this program anticipated that there would be problems allowing members to spend off the overage amounts from their TDY payouts. I saw that coming a mile away. Now the Air Force needs to make getting the residual money back into primary checking accounts easier. Heres an idea: bring back split dispersement because it actually worked.
