Companies suspending some fees
charged to government card holders
Stars and Stripes
RAMSTEIN AB, Germany — Bank of America and First USA have made provisions to aid
cardholders with repayment plans since the Sept. 11 attacks disrupted mail service
worldwide.
Bank of America has delayed its salary offset program to collect on delinquent
government credit card accounts.
"It’s this delay which prompted BOA officials to intercede," said Tech.
Sgt. Michael Windsor, a pay and entitlements analyst for U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
"They took action with the government travel card program so that cardholders could
make timely payments, with minimal inconvenience."
In addition, the $10 pay-by-phone fee, charged to customers who paid their outstanding
balances over the phone, is waived until Oct. 15.
"Bank of America asked DFAS [Defense Finance and Accounting Service] to garnish
wages in order to recoup delinquent balances," Windsor said.
"The initial notifications letters were supposed to be mailed Oct. 3, but BOA has
pushed the date forward to Oct. 13."
First USA, the credit card company issuing Air Force Club Cards, will suspend late or
over limit fees. Minimum payment requirements are on hold until further notice and no
additional interest will be charged for failure to receive payment.
First USA also will work with those being deployed to set up free automatic payments
for accounts.
Bank of America cardholders are advised to use split disbursement when filing their
travel vouchers to avoid late fees.
"This payment method authorizes your local finance office to make a payment on
your behalf to BOA," Windsor said.
"The money comes from what a traveler would receive after claiming travel expenses
on a travel voucher. The payment is immediate, and there is no chance of a late payment
due to delays in mail service."
Windsor also suggested travelers obtain access to the Electronic Accounts Government
Ledger System, commonly known as EAGLS, through the unit agency program coordinators.
"This online systems gives customers the ability to make inquiries about their
account — like outstanding balances, transactions, payments and more. Using EAGLS
allows the traveler to make a more accurate split disbursement decision if they choose
this payment option."
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