New DoD travel cards en route to users

  Citibank began sending Yuma's cardholders their new cards Wednesday, as the Marine Corps approaches the November turnover to a new bank for its travelers' credit card needs.

  The change comes after Bank of America chose not to renew its contract with the Defense Department.

  The 1.2 million cardholders, including 82,000 Marines, will receive the new Citibank cards and verification instructions at their mailing addresses on file with their agency program coordinators, said Cpl. Michael Monroe, Defense Travel System clerk here.

  "The main thing users need to do is call (Citibank) and verify they received the card," said Paul Laurent, lead Defense Travel System officer here.

  Station cardholders will need to ensure their information is up to date to receive the new cards before the swap in services, said Monroe.

  The Bank of America card will not work after 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time on Nov. 29. From 10 p.m. onward, only the Citibank card will work, said Laurent.

  Those traveling during this time should notify their area program coordinators, said Laurent. Card users traveling during the changeover will need to carry both cards.

  The cards are authorized for personnel who travel while on temporary duty at least three times a year. They enable travelers to charge various travel costs, such as lodging and transportation, instead of asking for a cash advance or paying out of pocket to be reimbursed later.

  To offer several upgraded features, Citibank has enhanced its electronic access system, according to Master Sgt. Gregory Duplechain, a card program manager at Headquarters Marine Corps. Citibank has also dropped the $10 fee for phone payments and reduced its ATM fees to a flat rate of 2 percent.

  Any remaining balance on the Bank of America card will not transfer to the Citibank account. Therefore, Marines will continue to receive statements from Bank of America until all balances are paid, said David Fuqua, a card program manager at HQMC.

  All Citibank cards sent to Arizona and California addresses should be received no later than Sept. 9, according to Marine Administrative Message 417/08.

  Anyone who does not receive the new card before Oct. 31 should contact their unit's agency program coordinator.

  The new Citibank contract will run through 2018.

  For more information on the travel charge card transition, visit www.defensetravel.dod. mil.

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Lance Cpl. Bryan Carfrey, with the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma public affairs office, contributed to this report.