Prohibited TCard Purchases
Administrative controls and/or legal requirements place limitations on the use of the Travel Card (TCard). The following list is not all inclusive. Participants should contact UPAY Card Services and/or review policy to assist in determining if a purchase is allowable. Section 8 Payments and Reimbursements provides details about expenditures for business meals, receptions, and refreshments.
These items may not be purchased using a TCard:
- Additional fees/services over and above the most economical fare available at time of purchase (special seating for class of service flown, aisle, exit row, early/priority boarding, etc., or other circumstances that increase the base price).
- Cash advances
- Charter bus and charter air services
- Coat check
- Commuting expenses between an employee's residence and official headquarters
- Gift certificates, gift cards, cash-equivalent prepaid cards
- House accounts—that is, the extension of credit by a vendor, allowing payment of goods or services over a period of time, or on a summary invoice or bill
- Late check-out
- Living expenses at official headquarters
- Locksmith services
- Memberships
- Moving expenses
- Expenses not related to University of Illinois System business
- Parking tickets, pre-paid tolls, or other fines
- Per diem meal expenses
- Personal automobile accident insurance and/or deductibles
- Personal convenience—any transaction that includes charges incurred for personal convenience or personal leave, for example, airfare, lodging, car rental, etc.
- Personal entertainment charges such as movies, spa/health clubs, sightseeing, tours, etc.
- Personal purchases of any kind
- Purchases from system employees, their spouses, parents, or children
- Purchases from business concerns of which an employee (or an employee's spouse, parent(s) or children) is a sole or principal owner, major officer, or primary employee
- Towing or fueling of a personal automobile that is being used for system business travel
- Travel insurance (exceptions may be requested for foreign travel)
First Published: September 2012 | Last Updated: May 2024 | Last Reviewed: May 2024