Government Travel Charge Card
The Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) Program offers travelers a safe, effective, convenient, and commercially available method to pay for official travel expenses. Travelers don't need to use personal funds for mission-related travel expenses; they can manage their GTCC account online and the Defense Travel System (DTS) streamlines reimbursement. The GTCC also offers insurance coverage for rental cars, lost luggage, and personal injury, and provides cardholders with better payment terms.
Delinquent payments negatively impact the Department's ability to accomplish its travel mission. Delinquent travel card accounts are suspended, requiring travelers to use personal funds. This reduces the funds earned by the DoD Components as rebates from the card vendor, directly impacting projected funding sources. See guidance for cardholders or guidance for agency program coordinators, supervisors, and approving officials to reduce delinquent payments.
Governance & Policy
DoDI 5154.31, Volume 4 authorizes the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) to manage the travel card program. DTMO provides guidance, policy, and training, and serves as a liaison to the General Services Administration (GSA), the travel card vendor, and DoD Component Program Managers on travel card-related issues. DTMO also develops, coordinates, and maintains the GTCC Regulations [PDF, 59 pages], which outline GTCC purpose and policies, general travel card information, and special travel considerations.
The Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 mandates the use of the travel card.
GTCC Regulations state that all DoD personnel (military or civilian) must use the card to pay for all costs related to official government travel. Using the travel card for personal use or to pay for someone else's travel expenses is prohibited and may result in disciplinary actions. Refer to the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) [PDF] for information on authorized travel expenses. The Military Services may further restrict/define this policy.