Government Travel Card! Can I be the only person that hates them?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 21:50:29 -0400

I hate the fact that they are mandatory. I have a credit card for personal use and then just for emergencies. I use debit card for anything that I purchase including my flights. Up to this point I have only used a personal card for official military travel but am now being told (new unit) that it is illegal to use a personal card as a GTC card holder.

Response by LTC Tom Hartley made Sep 10 at 2015 10:08 PM

LTC Tom Hartley — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:08:57 -0400

Yeah. I never understood how it was legal for them to be mandated? It effects your credit score negatively, because of the low credit limit. You are stuck with the bill, yet use is restricted, and data is reviewed by others?

Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Sep 10 at 2015 10:11 PM

CSM Carl Cunningham — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:11:38 -0400

I HATE DTS. While it isn't the card specifically, that systems helps lead to delinquent accounts.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Sep 10 at 2015 10:26 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:26:10 -0400

While I was hesitant when the USAR started using DTS, I actually found that it speeded up the payment of travel vouchers if the voucher was filled out correctly. That problem with DTS is that getting to that point can be difficult, especially for people that do not travel a lot. I actually don't mind the GOVCC since that keeps my travel expenses separate. But also serving a mobilized deputy branch chief in my last reserve unit, I dealt with the frustrations of Soldiers submitting vouchers on time and then being late on payments. All I can do at this point is recommend that you personally use DTS and not have someone else do it for you. That way you will learn it and then it will be easier and less painful

Response by COL Charles Williams made Sep 10 at 2015 11:41 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 23:41:49 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 1:33 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 01:33:24 -0400

Sir, you are not alone.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 6:28 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 06:28:56 -0400

After 16 years, the Man finally caught me and issued me a GTC. The company charged a fee for an "expedited card issue" which was subsequently late as I wasn't aware I charged anything. Haven't used it since issue. I guess that makes perfect Army sense.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Sep 11 at 2015 8:44 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 08:44:02 -0400

I have used my GTC a grand total of zero times and hope to keep it that way. That thing is Satan spawn and a gateway to getting screwed by finance due to errors in my opinion. That and I frequently read stories of people getting Art. 15s for improper use. I would just rather not risk it, I'll pay for my own $20 tank of gas thanks.

Response by SFC David Davenport made Sep 11 at 2015 10:18 AM

SFC David Davenport — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 10:18:14 -0400

It was a nice idea but the Army does do well normally with anything finance related. DTS has only worked well for me in Italy. We had three wonderful ladies that did all of the DTS filing for the post; small post. They knew what they were doing and made the system work. Always a hassle everywhere else I was stationed and used the card.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Sep 11 at 2015 10:43 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 10:43:53 -0400

I hate it with a passion. I use it ONLY for paying for flights, the only purchase that was ACTUALLY required to be put on the card until recently. There was always a lot of pressure to put everything on it, and occasional questions about "why didn't you follow protocol and....", but flights were the only thing decreed by regulation. My understanding is that now lodging (Not sure if all lodging? Just saw something recently) is being added to that.

My feeling has always been if it is credit that is in my name, affects my credit rating, and that *I* am required to repay regardless of reimbursement[1], then I will damn well use the card I want (and get Cabela's points!!!).

[1] Per the reg, you are required to pay your balance when due. "My voucher hasn't been paid" is not considered a valid excuse. I have an issue with that, and have ever since I first got a GTC, way back in the day.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 11 at 2015 10:44 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 10:44:30 -0400

It would be interesting to have a test trial of using the old and proven method expense policies in years gone by against the current method to see the difference in cost and fraud. Way too much temptation for those with a devious mind, IMO. Since I have limited knowledge on this one (WOW!), can someone tell me if this is through a private credit card company or an actual government provided and backed card?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 11 at 2015 11:29 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 11:29:18 -0400

Go to https://militarycac.com/files/DTS_SMART_BOOK.pdf I created the original. I spent a week on this project, I hope it helps.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 11:32 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 11:32:35 -0400

Yeah, having to use the government travel card sucks! If they are going to reimburse you anyway, why not let you use whatever you want? What do you do? Government! LOL!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 2:45 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 14:45:15 -0400

I am sure DTS and GTC briefed well somewhere in the halls of our government? Did someone NOT consider the consequences of giving a $4,000/$7,500 credit card limit to "kids" that have never had one, EVER??? Oh, lets turn them into travel agent experts - solid decision making process? Would love to have seen that MDMP. Did we not think there was going to be issues with this program(s)? A card that is your credit history that the government tells you its mandatory to have, and NO say in how its used? A list of rules that are are contradictory in the Joint Travel Publications? Really, "You can't fix stupid" - Ron White

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 5:52 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 17:52:29 -0400

They are great when done properly, suck when they are not. Had an incident a few years back that trashed my credit because of the mandated GTC that I am still recovering from. I used my GTC for a TDY, like I was told I was required to. Completed my DTS upon my return, and submitted it. A week or so later, it still had not been approved by the approving official, so I went to see what was going on. Our Approving official at the time was our squadrons chief. Ended up finding out the unit did not have the funds to pay for the TDY, and they KNEW this when they sent us, but sent us anyway. The approving official was waiting for funds to drop to hit the approve button.

Every week I kept checking on this, and was getting no where. After about 3 or 4 months I got called into the commanders office. Turns out he had just received the notice for my delinquent account and wanted to know what was going on. I filled him in on what was happening, and he was immediately pissed. He informed me that even though I was a young airman (E3 or E4 when this happened), that if I were to encounter any problems like this in the future, go straight to my first sgt. My voucher was approved less than an hour later, and I received payment within a few days.

My credit score dropped about 80 points because of this, and am still pissed off every time I think about it. I hate the mandated GTC system. It forces the member to end up in situations like mine where leadership feels they can basically "borrow money" by screwing their members.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 9:11 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 21:11:32 -0400

I despise the thing! Then, try to get it activated to use it (because I am required to do so) to make travel arrangements! It is a nightmare.

Response by SPC(P) Alexandra Hinds made Apr 9 at 2016 7:47 AM

SPC(P) Alexandra Hinds — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 07:47:00 -0400

No, you are not the only one who hates the GTC.
I have to agree with basically everyone who commented prior to myself when they talked about how DTS is the main problem and how it leads to late payments or delinquent accounts. I experienced this myself with my Unit and it is still an ongoing issue. Never receiving payment stubs or notifications I think is the main issue.
I honestly wish I was never issued one. It has caused nothing but issues for not only myself, but others as well.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2019 5:23 PM

1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 17:23:43 -0400

I hate mine. I was told before BOLC that I would be repeatedly counseled if I did not get one. I don't even have personal credit cards, and didn't really understand how mine worked. I ended up with a balance on mine when my vouchers didn't clear that got me repeatedly flagged until I finally paid it off in full, for $2g, which set me back an entire paycheck. They're the worst.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 7 at 2020 12:08 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 12:08:48 -0500

the hate is ubiquitous

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 7 at 2020 12:11 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 12:11:46 -0500

I have been able to refuse to get one. I guess it was an easy hill to stand on since I am retiring. I am not going to use my personal credit rating so that the travel process gets streamlined. If the unit issued them, much like drawing a vehicle, that would be different. But to have one in my possession, and have it affect my credit if there is a SNAFU and I don't get travel pay on time or the balance causes my credit usage to exceed 40%; I think not.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 7 at 2020 3:00 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 15:00:22 -0500

I created the DTS Smart Book in 2008. You can see my name on page 13. I want to caveat by saying I don't know how updated this file is. https://militarycac.com/files/DTS_SMART_BOOK.pdf

Some thoughts on DTS:
- Many SMs do not understand how to make inputs.
- Administrators, approving officials, and travelers impact the turn around time to settle vouchers.
- For those who have the GTC make sure you disenroll from your unit DTS before a PCS move. If you do not, you can not be arrived at your new units DTS.
- There should be no issues with the GTC if the whole process is working properly. My DTS NCOs had a turn around time of 4-5 days to settle vouchers.

DTS_SMART_BOOK.pdf