New GTCs: the lowdown Published Nov. 20, 2008 By Greg Woodson 72nd Comptroller Squadron TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- All government travel cardholders should have received new cards during the summer of 2008. As the travel card program transitions from one vendor to another, all government travel cardholders will receive new cards beginning in August. Current cards expire on Nov. 29, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. New cards, issued by Citi, will be ready for use one minute later, Nov. 30 at 12 a.m. Eastern time. Cardholders are advised to confirm their mailing addresses on file with Bank of America as new travel cards will be mailed to that address. Workers scheduled for a Permanent Change of Station should ensure that their new address and date of move is on file with Bank of America. Cards that are sent to an incorrect address will be returned to Citi. The unit Agency Program Coordinators will not have the option to forward the mail to new addresses. If a new travel card doesn't show up by Oct. 31, cardholders should notify their APC. Employees must verify receipt of the new travel card immediately by phone or online, to ensure that it will be activated. The information required for verification will be printed on a sticker affixed to the new card. As part of the receipt verification process, cardholders must agree to the terms and conditions in order to use the new card. Members traveling during the cutover Nov. 29-30, should charge all official travel expenses including, Nov. 29 on their current card. Travel expenses incurred from midnight Eastern timed Nov. 30 should be charged to the new Citi-issued card. Members must pay all outstanding, undisputed charges on Bank of America cards before Nov. 29. If there is a current credit balance, call the phone number on the back of the card to request a statement. After the cutover, Bank of America will continue to accept and receive payments for charges previously made on its cards. Because the new card will also be VISA branded, cardholders will have the same worldwide charging privileges as they do with the current program. Charge limits will remain the same and APCs will have the authority to raise limits to meet mission requirements. Cardholder Checklist Confirm or update address with Bank of America Verify receipt of new card by phone or online Do not discard current GTCC New cards will not be ready for use until Nov. 30 Pay all charges on current GTCC by Nov. 29 If traveling over the cutover, carry both cards Contact your APC if you have any questions The primary contact for the transition is the unit APC. For more information, visit www.defensetravel.dod.mil, www.gsa.gov/smartpay or send questions to dtmotc@dtmo.pentagon.mil.