How does Travel Card Per Diem work?

2021-10-01T20:24:05-04:00

I am getting ready to PCS with my family and so far no one I have asked has been able to explain the GTC Per Diem in a way I understand. Does someone have a good explanation on how it works?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2021 9:06 PM

2021-10-01T21:06:24-04:00

It's been awhile but the only thing I ever charged on the GTC was my lodging. I used my own money for food. When I settled my claim I put the per diem in my army travel account set up just for that purpose.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 1 at 2021 10:24 PM

2021-10-01T22:24:04-04:00

You can charge meals and hotel room in the card. I don’t know the hotel or meal rates. Maybe around $90 for hotel and $50 for meals per adult each day. Kids at a certain ages get 3/4 and 1/2 of the adult rate. This is just off the top of my head.

Save the hotel receipts to turn in. Don’t go over the hotel rate. Meals do not require receipts. When you settle your travel voucher you will be given the daily meal money and the hotel costs will be reimbursed.

I have been out of the army for 10 years so my info is a bit rusty, but I think I am in the ball park. I think the concept of the operations is correct.

Now if someone has more accurate or relevant info please speak up.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2021 11:25 PM

2021-10-01T23:25:19-04:00

https://ditymovecalculator.net/. Here is a good calculator. If I’m not mistaken it’s $155 per day for SM and I think 75% of that for members 12 and older and 50 I think for 12 and younger. You get to drive two cars. The travel card covers food, gas and hotel for the time you drive to your new PCS.

DITY/Personally Procured Move Calculator - UPDATED FOR 2021

A comprehensiveDITY move calculatorfor PCS moves, allowing the user to view eligible allowances andestimate expenses and profit.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 2 at 2021 1:20 AM

2021-10-02T01:20:16-04:00

The definition of a full day of travel by POV is 350 miles. That means after 350 miles you can get a hotel room. Don’t rush it. It is better to be safe.

Before you clear the unit, clear DTS. If you don’t, then your gaining unit can not use DTS for you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2021 3:39 AM

2021-10-02T03:39:31-04:00

There is no such thing as travel card per diem.
You have your travel card that you use for PCS expenses.

You have per diem, which is a set amount of money you are provided for yourself and family members to eat each day. It's just a lump sum of money you'll be paid once you inprocess finance at your next duty station.

Your GTC and Per Diem have nothing to do with one another, that's why nobody can explain it to you

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2021 12:28 PM

2021-10-02T12:28:50-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member ... The Travel Card is separate from the Per Diem rate as some below have stated. You can charge authorized PCS expenses to the government travel card (GTC) for travel (hotels, meals, etc.) on your way to your new duty station. However, all these charges must be paid off when you file your paper travel voucher at your new duty location.

You can get your GTC put into a "PCS" mode which I'd recommend, where they'll put your card into a holding status, with no payments due for 90 days or so (If you're TDY in route, then this can be extended). That way you can complete your PCS move, and file all your travel vouchers in order to get paid before your bill is due.

Each servicemember is authorized Per Diem travel on their travel days (for the Soldier & all family members listed in DEERS) that travel with you on the move. Per Diem is calculated at the departing duty location & also their reporting duty stations during PCS moves. Per Diem rates can be found by looking them up on the GSA website: https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates.

Also, up to 10 days of paid hotel reimbursement, called Temporary Lodging Entitlement (TLE) while they look for government on-post or off-post housing. Make sure you keep all your hotel receipts & file them when you submit your travel vouchers.

Good luck in your PCS move!

Per Diem Rates

GSA establishes the maximum CONUS (Continental United States) Per Diem rates for federal travel customers.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2021 3:41 PM

2021-10-02T15:41:16-04:00

If you haven't been to a PCS brief, go to one.
If you did go to one, go back there and make sure you are clear on the information.
You will be authorized to use your GTC for reimbursable expenses during your move.
You will need to complete a voucher through DFAS (online) to get reimbursed for those expenses.
You are responsible for paying your GTC bill on time, regardless of whether you file that voucher on time.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2021 11:16 AM

2021-10-05T11:16:22-04:00

Here's what I recommend.
Don't use your GTC for meals. Period.
Use the GTC to secure travel and car rentals (ONLY IF APPROVED ON YOUR ORDERS), and approved housing. All this should be done through DTS.

That said, in the event you do get Per Diem, you will be given the Per Diem funds to your deposit account. So, that money is yours. Now, in the event you used your GTC for meals you are then obligated to PAY for the meals with the funds you were already given in your deposit account to the GTC outstanding balance.

So don't bother using the GTC for meals because you end up creating an additional transaction for payment that you are now on the hook for.