The B.E.S.T. Bulletin
Business Expense Survival Tips
- December 2008 -
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Credit Card Emergency Contacts Over Holiday Break
If you have special circumstances and are planning to use your CMU Business Credit Card over the Holiday break please call the Payroll/Travel Office for emergency contact instructions.
Fraudulent Activity On Your Business Card
During the holiday season fraudulent charges on the business card increase and this holiday season is no exception. If Chase suspects fraudulent activity on your business credit card:
Chase puts a hold on any card that appears to have fraudulent activity until the cardholder or the Payroll/Travel Office can be contacted to investigate these charges.
The Payroll/Travel Office will contact the cardholder to confirm the charges are fraudulent
The business credit card will be cancelled immediately if the charges are fraudulent and new card issued within five to seven business day. The cardholder will be contacted to pick up the card in the Payroll/Travel Office.
Neither CMU nor the cardholder is liable for any of the fraudulent charges.
If the charges are valid, the hold will be taken off the card as soon as confirmation can be obtained from the cardholder.
Business/Vacation Travel Combined
Occasionally, when CMU business cardholders travel on business they schedule vacation plans either at the beginning or at the end of their trip. There are a few rules that must be followed while scheduling and traveling this combination:
Only expenses for the cardholder can be charged on his/her business card. Airfare for family members cannot be charged on the business card under any circumstances.
If the cardholder is sharing a room with family members, the lodging bill must confirm that the multi-occupancy rate is the same as the single occupancy rate. If a higher rate was charged for the lodging, this additional amount cannot be charged on the cardholder’s business card.
If a rental car is charged on the business card, the daily rate for the rental car must be calculated and that rate multiplied by the number of days of use that was not business related. This amount will be either deducted from the cardholder’s reimbursement or payroll deducted if there is no reimbursement. Any gas that is charged for the rental card must be calculated the same way.
Per diem meals, taxi and tip expenses can only be claimed for the days of business related travel and only for the business cardholder.
If you have specific questions unique to your travel please contact the Payroll/Travel Office.
Statistics for the October Statement Period (07/25/08-08/24/08)
Total Spend $765,771.71
Total Number of Transactions 5,056
Average Charge $151.46
Open Credit Cards 768
Cards with Activity 566
Thanks,
Payroll and Travel Services
Cindy Smith 7363 smith1cl@cmich.edu
Chris Zalud 3525 zalud1ce@cmich.edu
Kim Wagester 7388 wages1ka@cmich.edu
Sara Yonkey 3797 yonke1sl@cmich.edu
Mary Hill 3481 hill1mm@cmich.edu


