United States Department of Agriculture
Research, Education and Economics

ARS * CSREES * ERS * NASS

Bulletin

As previously announced, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has selected NationsBank Visa as their new Government-issued travel charge card contractor. The new contract will be in effect on November 30, 1998. American Express will terminate the American Express travel charge card on the same date. Unpaid balances, charges, or credits on your current Government-issued American Express travel charge card account will not be transferred to your NationsBank Visa account. Employees are responsible for paying charges, balances, or obtaining refunds of credit balances directly with American Express. Non-payment of balances on your American Express account may result in further action taken by American Express or could subject you to disciplinary action by your agency.

Current American Express travel charge cardholders will receive a new NationsBank Visa travel charge card in the mail between November 1 and November 29, 1998. DUE TO SECURITY REASONS, THE ENVELOPES USED TO MAIL THE NEW CARDS ARE NOT EMBOSSED WITH THE NATIONSBANK OR VISA LOGO. (PLEASE CHECK YOUR MAIL CAREFULLY BEFORE DISCARDING. )

Recipients of the new travel charge card will receive several separate mailings from NationsBank. These mailings will contain the following:

1. Card Receipt Verification (CRV) letter with an activation security code
   
   
2. a. NationsBank Visa card with a CRV label and a perforated signature card

   b. Visa Guide to Benefits

   c. Cardholder Introduction Guide specific to travel

   d. Cardholder agreement with a postage paid return envelope
       

3. Personal Identification Number (PIN) for ATM/cash access
   
   
4. a. Cardholder Program Guide specific to travel
   
   b. Wall Reference Card
   
   
5. A 15-day followup letter to recipients that have not activated their card or have not returned the cardholder agreement - NOTE: Failure to return the cardholder agreement may result in suspension or cancellation of the Visa charge card.

Even though you have activated your new Visa charge card, you may not charge any expenses to the NationsBank Visa card until after 7 p.m., E.S.T., on November 30, 1998. Employees that will be in travel status during the transition period should carry their American Express and NationsBank Visa charge cards. During the transition period, the use of each card will depend on when the actual expenses are charged to the card (not necessarily when expenses are incurred). The American Express charge card will be used for all travel expenses incurred and charged to the card prior to the cutoff time and date. However, if you incur travel expenses which are not charged until after the cut off time on November 30, those expenses will be applied to yourNationsBank card. For example, if you check into a lodging establishment on November 28 and check out on or after December 1, 1998, the NationsBank card will be used to pay the entire lodging bill. This will also apply to rental car or other travel expenses that may be incurred prior to November 30 which are not charged to the card until on or after 7 p.m., E.S.T., November 30. We suggest that employees traveling during the transition period contact their agency travel office to solicit the best solution to meet the requirements of their specific travel situation.

For your information, an REE team is evaluating use of an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) feature to be used in conjunction with the new NationsBank Visa card. The REE policies and specific agency ATM procedures will be provided under separate correspondence. In preparation of potential ATM use, all cardholder's, over the next several weeks, will receive an ATM Personal Identification Number (PIN) through NationsBank.

In addition, NationsBank has an automated Electronic Account Government Ledger System (EAGLS) which will allow cardholders electronic access to their own NationsBank charge card records. NationsBank has advised us that all cardholders will receive electronic access ID's and passwords after we have completed the transition. We will provide additional information regarding electronic access at a later date.

As with the American Express travel charge card, all employees are reminded that ONLY official travel expenses may be charged to the NationsBank Visa charge card. Employees that accept the NationsBank Visa charge card or use the charge card are bound by the cardholder agreement issued with each Visa card.

Employees that have not received their new NationsBank Visa charge card by November 20 or have any questions pertaining to this bulletin should contact their agency travel charge card representative or Linda E. Mahoney, Chief, Travel and Relocation Services Branch, on
301-504-1307, or E-mail Lmahoney@ars.usda.gov.

/s/

S. M. HELMRICH
Director
Financial Management Division