Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this program beneficial to our agency?
In these challenging economic times, government entities are taking a hard look at managing their business travel and reducing travel expenses. The State of California, Department of General Services, Statewide Travel Program offers efficient and cost-effective travel management services to government entities and provides the most economical rates and fares available through the use of state negotiated contracts for airlines, car rentals, travel management services, and travel payment system. By leveraging the state’s total travel spend, the Statewide Travel Program gains the advantage of the best pricing model available.
Additionally, the Statewide Travel Program helps counties meet their “Duty of Care” responsibilities by providing the means to locate travelers within minutes in cases of emergency.
Why use CalTravelStore and the Citibank Travel Payment System for travel arrangements?
CalTravelStore is the only authorized Travel Management Services (TMS) provider with access to the negotiated contract rates for the State of California’s Statewide Travel Program. The Citibank payment system is the required form of payment. Effective 7/1/10, airlines have agreed to extend the discounted fares to counties with the following provisions:
1- Local government business travelers must use the authorized TMS provider, CalTravelStore, or the Concur online booking tool.
2- Local government business travelers must use the authorized form of payment, the Citibank CTA.
These two requirements prevent fraud and misuse of the program.
Are there any membership fees to participate in the program?
There is no fee charged by the Statewide Travel Program to participate in the program.
What are the transaction fees for arranging travel via the Concur online booking tool or the CalTravelStore (the authorized travel agency)?
The Statewide Travel Program has negotiated rates for travel agency services. The transaction fees are $5-7 for an online booking and $12 for an agent-assisted booking. All $5 transaction fees are currently being paid for by the Statewide Travel Program on behalf of its customer agencies.
How does the billing work?
Citibank will accrue the charges and create a billing statement on the 25th of each month. The statement is available 24 hours after the cycle cut-off date, and can only be accessed online. The payment is due in full by the next payment cycle. The statement and CTA reconciliation report contain at a minimum the traveler’s name, ticket number and dollar amount. Should you need additional traveler information, the Grasp reporting system provides over 120 reporting capabilities.
CSAC is pleased to offer this program as an added service to our members as a way of saving limited local dollars through a cost-effective travel alternative. If you have additional questions about the program, please contact DGS at 916.376.3974 or complete the DGS Statewide Travel Program Intake Form.