Card Benefits

Benefits to the Government

Use of the purchase charge card benefits the government in many ways. Charge cards save the government time, money and resources. The purchase charge card program provides the government with financial and cash management control over low dollar value high volume procurements, and can serve as a payment tool for larger transactions consistent with agency policy.

The government saves money by making only one payment to the purchase charge card contractor rather than thousands of payments to individual merchants. The government improves the use of its resources by freeing up contracting personnel so they are able to focus on more complex activities that derive greater benefit from their expertise.

Merchants throughout the world accept your purchase charge card because they are familiar with commercial credit cards and they understand how to accept them. As a cardholder, you will be able to decide what to purchase, when to buy it, and from whom. You will monitor funds availability yourself. The concept of the purchase charge card program is "just-in-time." You can get what your organization needs when your organization needs it. Merchants like it too, because they are paid quickly for the supplies and services they provide.

Benefits to You

Your personal credit history is not a criterion for receiving a purchase charge card. Similarly, use of the purchase charge card will not affect your personal credit history. The most important criterion is a job requirement to make purchases. Any government employee or employee of another entity authorized to use the program who has a responsibility to make purchases and completes the necessary training is eligible to become a cardholder. There are no civil service grade requirements. Cardholders are either appointed by their Agency/Organization Program Coordinator (A/OPC) or designated by an Approving Official (AO).