The Central Travel Account (CTA) virtual card payment method was recently launched for airfare transactions and associated booking fees. The CTA is a virtual credit card that is available to all U-M employees and is automatically populated as the payment method when booking airfare for employees, guests, or students in U-M’s online booking tool, Lightning.
All airfare booked for employees in Lightning will route to the traveler’s Concur “Available Expenses” for reconciliation. Airfare booked for non-employees will route to the U-M travel arranger’s Concur “Available Expenses” for reconciliation. CTA airfare transactions can be reconciled in the same Concur report as business expenses that are paid using other payment methods such as the PCard/Travel Card or out of pocket reimbursements.
U-M employees are encouraged to use the preferred CTA payment method for airfare by booking business travel in Lightning or with a Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP) agent. The benefits of using CTP and the CTA payment method include:
- Guarantees that unused eCredits for canceled flights will be available to units for future business use
- Reduced need for PCard/Travel Card limit increases for travel expenditures
- Centralized booking process for reporting and visibility
- Eliminates need—for employees without a PCard/Travel Card— to use personal resources and seek reimbursement for airfare purchases
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the CTA payment method. Questions may be submitted by completing the Travel Questions eform.