What is going to happen?
All current active pre-paid Mastercard travel cards (not to be confused with the UQ corporate credit cards) will be cancelled and no longer usable from Tuesday 15 September 2020.
Why is this change occurring?
Mastercard’s current Corporate Control (CC) IT platform is being discontinued and upgraded to the Mastercard Prepaid Management Services (MPSM) platform. In order to facilitate the change, funds currently loaded on to UQ Travel cards will not be compatible with the new system and will need to be removed.
Go live of the MPMS platform is scheduled for Tuesday 1 September 2020, with a parallel run of both systems for 15 days to ensure operational continuity for anyone travelling during the critical cut off period.
Why change now?
Mastercard’s current CC platform is an outdated system and is no longer fit for purpose. Examples of issues which have been highlighted over the past 12-18 months include, but are not limited to, statement data integrity issues, delays in receiving account statements, and the lack of system flexibility.
The downturn in travel due to COVID-19 has provided UQ with an opportune moment to transition to the new platform with minimal disruption to individuals who would usually be travelling on UQ business.
What will happen to any existing funds currently loaded onto travel cards?
Existing card holders do not need to take any action. On Tuesday 15 September 2020, all cards with a remaining balance will have the funds refunded back to UQ.
What should be done with current travel cards after 15 September 2020?
Travel cards should be destroyed and disposed of. This should be done in the same manner as you would dispose of a personal debit/credit card.
What is the timeline for receiving statements and the reconciliation of current travel cards?
Following the cancellation of the travel card on 15 September 2020, Mastercard will subsequently provide UQ with relevant account statements by no later than 30 September 2020.
Users will have until 15 November 2020 to reconcile and acquit these expenses. Any amount not reconciled and acquitted by this date will be allocated directly to the operating unit’s operating expense.
What action do card holders need to take?
The below table provides advice on what action is required by card holders dependent on scenario:
|
Situation |
Action Required |
Comment |
|
Card holder with no intention to travel in the short term (prior to 15 September 2020) |
None |
The card will be deactivated on 15 September and funds returned to UQ |
|
Card holder with intention to travel and return before 15 September 2020 |
Business as Usual (BAU) |
Follow the current process to load funds and reconcile spend as usual |
|
Card holder with intention to travel and return after 15 September 2020 |
Contact local Finance PSt Transactions Team |
Contact your local Finance Professional Services Transactions team who will advise best course of action |
|
Card holders on long term travel (already at destination & returning post 15 September 2020) |
Contact local Finance PSt Transactions Team |
Contact your local Finance Professional Services Transactions team who will advise best course of action |
For more information please contact your local Finance Professional Services Transactions team.
