Travel and Procurement Cards

Audience: Current or prospective holders of Tufts University Procurement or Travel Cards

Updated July 2025

Tufts University offers two credit card options for employees:

Both cards are widely accepted, secure, and intended for official university business only.

Before applying, please review the Business Expense Policy.

Training is crucial for effectively using the P-Card & T&E Card. All new cardholders are required to complete training before they receive their card(s). Proxy reconcilers, surrogates, and approvers are also required to complete training. Refresher training is required for each card every three (3) years, prior to the renewal date of the card. Cardholders will receive an email with instructions within 6 weeks of the current cards' expiration date. Failure to complete the refresher training will result in the suspension of the account until the training is completed. 

Note: Students are not eligible for either card.

Procurement Card

The P-Card allows departments to easily purchase low-cost goods and services for university use.  It helps reduce the administrative burden and costs associated with purchase processing.

Common Uses:

• Professional Memberships/Due
• Conference/Seminar Registrations
• Departmental purchases within approved limits

Note:  Travel expenses are not permitted on the P-Card. Review the Restricted Items List.

Reconciling Transactions

Cardholders must ensure that their transactions are reconciled in PeopleSoft. Transactions will auto-post 30 days after they appear in PeopleSoft and must be reconciled before that time. 

Receipts must be attached to all transactions over $50. For transactions under $50, if the receipts are not uploaded to the corresponding transaction, they must be kept by the department and made available for review upon request. 

Once receipts are attached and allocation is completed (as applicable), Cardholders/Proxies can mark the transaction as "Verified". The Transaction will not post until the "Approve by Date", or until the cardholder's manager reviews the transaction and updates the status to "Approved". 

Managing your P-Card

Tufts Travel Card

The Tufts Travel Card is used for business travel and entertainment expenses. It’s ideal for faculty and staff who travel on behalf of the university more than three times per year.  The travel card includes a comprehensive travel insurance package.

Covered Expenses:

• Hotels
• Rental cars/transportation
• Meals during travel
• Conference registrations

Before you travel:

Contact JPMorgan Chase (JPMC) at 1-800-316-6056 to place a travel watch on your card 1–2 weeks before departure.  It is highly recommended that cardholders program this number in their cell phone in case their card is ever lost or stolen.

Reconciling Transactions

Cardholders must ensure that their transactions are reconciled in Apptricity within 30 days of the transaction date. This includes costs associated with future-dated travel and/or events. 

Receipts must be attached to all transactions over $50. For transactions under $50, if the receipts are not uploaded to the corresponding transaction, they must be retained by the cardholder for potential further review. 

Receipts are required for all grant-related expenses, regardless of the amount. 

Not sure which card to use?  Use the guide below to determine whether a P-Card or Travel card is appropriate for your purchase!