By Marina Sanchez, NAVAIR Public Affairs

So the government is sending you on a business trip, eh? Well, at least you don't have to pay for anything. Hey, you could even charge a couple extra tidbits on that travel card. Who will know? You can pay it off over time, right? You're home and you need a little extra cash, use the card at ATM. No harm done, right? Wrong!

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently issued a warning about high levels of delinquency maintained by many cardholders and inappropriate use of travel cards. OMB officials are considering closing the accounts of the cardholders and re-opening fewer of them.

NAVAIR holds a large number of cards compared to other federal agencies yet boasts one of the best records in the federal government for paying off travel card balances on time. The OMB goal is less than five percent of delinquent accounts, and the Department of the Navy set a four percent goal.

Last year, less than three percent of NAVAIR's 7600 cardholders had delinquent accounts.

As more NAVAIR account holders check the box on their travel claims to split reimbursement that number continues to decline. Splitting reimbursement allows the amount of money charged to the travel card to be sent directly to pay the travel card with the remainder sent to the traveler's bank account.

So far this year, NAVAIR has seen less than 1.8 percent of delinquent accounts, placing NAVAIR among the 26 top Navy commands.

According to the OMB, each agency must track delinquent accounts and investigate suspected misuse. Tips on what exactly is considered appropriate use of a travel card include the following:

· The card must be used for lodging, rental car, and should be for conference fees if it's an acceptable form of payment.
· Using the card for other expenses is highly recommended but not mandatory. These expenses include laundry, parking, local transportation, tips, meals, and phone calls.
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Bonnie Clark, NAVAIR headquarters travel card program coordinator, advises using the card only for reimbursable expenses, such as those items claimed on the travel reimbursement voucher, including meals.

Also, Clark suggests being careful about using the card as an ATM card because it is very easy to lose track of the money used for personal rather than authorized items. The card can only be used at the ATM for travel expenses and cardholders can only withdraw money from the ATM no more than three days ahead.

In the recent warning issued by OMB, officials reminded all civil servants and military members that government travel cards are strictly for official use; personal use could result in serious disciplinary action. In addition, the cards are official property of the government and, therefore, the reputation at stake is not only that of the cardholder, but also of the U.S. government.