Vol. 19, No. 34

June 21, 2000

Purchasing cards take flight effective July 1

A new program that offers University travelers greater convenience when purchasing airfare will begin July 1. Under this program, selected University Visa Purchasing Cardholders will have the ability to use their cards to purchase airline tickets on the web or from the travel agent of their choice. This program will replace the Travel Charge Authorization form previously used to charge airfare with University Travel Services (UTS). Only cardholders selected and authorized by their department heads will be able to charge airfare on their cards. UD travelers who do not have a Purchasing Card or do not wish to make their own travel arrangements may assign those duties to a subordinate who also is a cardholder. The policies that govern this program are available on Purchasing’s web pages at [http://www.udel. edu/purch/polpro.html], section 5.6. Highlights of the program are • Airfare is the only travel-related service that can be charged on Purchasing Cards. • The tickets purchased must be for authorized University business. • The airfare charge must be reported on a BER (Business Expense Reimbursement) form. • To participate in the program, an amendment to the cardholder agreement form must be completed. A pilot program is now in place with about 50 travelers. UTS will continue to have an office in the Trabant University Center, and will be relocated to larger space there by fall. The office can be reached at 831-4321. Further information will be sent directly to departmental procurement Purchasing Card contacts and will be available on the Purchasing home page.