Maintaining balance with your GTC Published June 17, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Jake Chappelle 446 AW/PA MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- No more sitting on hold for 20 minutes waiting for a customer service representative take your phone call. And forget about the hassle of figuring out how much your Government Travel Card balance is while you're on temporary duty assignment. Citibank, provider of the GTC, has an online banking Web site and other services where anybody with a GTC can monitor their account activity. "Since all DOD personnel are required to use the GTC on all expenses arising from official government travel, it would be safe to say they should be reviewing all transactions associated with their travel," said David Alcon, 446th Airlift Wing area program coordinator. "It is ultimately the member's responsibility to manage his GTC and to ensure it does not go delinquent." Citibank has a Web site registry for online statements that will e-mail alerts to Reservists when their account has any activity. Go to https://home.cards.citidirect.com/CommercialCard/Cards.html, click on "self registration for cardholders, and follow the instructions and you're on your way to keeping track of your GTC. "The GTC works like a normal credit card," said Mr. Alcon. "It can help you or hurt you." Some people have trouble with the travel system because they wait too long on their split disbursement and become delinquent on their GTC, said Senior Master Sgt. Louis Desjardins, 446th AW Reserve pay superintendent. "Pay the card if it's not paid off in 30 to 60 days," said Mr. Alcon. "That will take care of the balance until the travel voucher is processed. The member will be reimbursed when the voucher pays out. If the member waits too long, they'll be put on outstanding delinquency and their name goes to their commander. If there's a problem with getting the travel voucher, then the member can arrange payment with the bank in good faith." He goes further into why waiting too long could hurt your salary as well. "The bank will notify the cardholder after five months of delinquency," said Mr. Alcon. "Then they take a portion of the cardholder's salary. The debt on travel cards can jeopardize your credit ratings and careers." Mr. Alcon advises those members who wish to use their personal credit card for TDY expenses not to. "If you use your personal credit card, you might not get reimbursed because it has to be approved by your commander," said Mr. Alcon. "Plus, the financial management office can track GTC activity for things like lodging and airfare. Any improper usage is identified and sent to the card holder's commander." For more information about GTC requirements and usage, contact your unit agency program coordinator. For Airmen without computer access call Citibank cardholder assistance 1-800-200-7056.