Procurement Services implemented a U-M Travel Card as a subset of the current PCard program. The Travel Card is restricted to travel merchants only and is for employees who travel but do not make any other business purchases for their department. The Travel Card can be used for travel expenses such as:
- Hotels
- Ground transportation
- Train fare
- Baggage fees
- Car rental
- Travel parking
- Gas for rental vehicles
This new option will allow departments to issue cards that are limited to travel purchases to employees who travel on university business. The Travel Card transactions will flow to Concur and be reconciled the same as a PCard charge. All current PCard policies also apply to the Travel Card. If an employee already has a PCard, they do not need a Travel Card as well–the PCard will still work for travel vendors.
The application for U-M’s new Travel Card is available on the PCard Website.
This short FAQ below includes a variety of information about the new Travel Card, including who should get one and how it can be used.
- What is a Travel Card?
Unlike a PCard, the Travel Card can only be used with travel merchants. (See below for examples.)
- Is there a credit limit on the Travel Card?
Travel Cards are initially issued with a standard $5,000 monthly credit limit and a daily limit of 25 transactions. Employees can request a limit increase by using the Request a Change to my Card eform. Travel Card transactions are automatically sent—just like PCard charges— to Concur for reconciliation. All PCard policies also apply to the Travel Card.
- Who should get a Travel Card?
It is highly recommended that any employees with a regular appointment who travel for U-M business should have either a PCard or a Travel Card. Travel Cards are specifically geared towards employees who travel, but do not make any other business purchases for their department.
- Should employees who have a PCard get a Travel Card?
Employees who already have a PCard do not need a Travel Card too, since PCards will still work for travel merchants.
- What should the Travel Card be used for?
The Travel Card should be used for travel expenses such as:
-
- Hotels
- Ground transportation
- Train fare
- Baggage fees
- Car rental
- Travel parking
- Gas for rental vehicles
- Can I use the Travel Card to purchase airfare?
While the Travel Card is for travel purchases, airfare should be purchased from Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP)—U-M’s designated travel partner—via an agent or the Lightning Booking tool. When purchasing airfare from CTP, the expense is automatically charged to U-M’s virtual Central Travel Account (CTA) and the expense will appear in your Concur profile for reconciliation.
- How do I apply for a Travel Card?
Employees can apply for a Travel Card by completing the training course and filling out the application on the Procurement Services website. Before applying, employees should check with their department managers to determine if a Travel Card is necessary.
To learn more about the new Travel Card program, please review this detailed FAQ. If you have any questions, please contact the Payment Management Team via the Submit a Card Question eform.