FAQs
Getting Started
1. How do I participate?
If you are interested in participating, you must be a government agency of the State of California. Complete a Department Fact Sheet (DFS) located at: http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/ofa/Travel/DeptFactSheet.doc. Submit the DFS to David Fitzpatrick at david.f@travelstoreusa.com.
2. Who do I call?
Contact a State Travel Specialist listed below:
- State Departments, call Lori Wasson at (916) 376-3992
- Universities & Community Colleges, call Kelly May at (916) 376-3991
- Local Government, call Bahia Abdallah at (916) 376-3990
- K-12 Public School Districts, call Tasha Wilson at (916) 376-3976
3. How long does it take to sign up?
The process is quick and easy. Once we receive your information, it will be reviewed and then approved to be issued new American Express Business Travel Account (BTA) numbers. We will develop a customized Concur Travel site that will best address your travel reservation needs.
4. Will training be offered?
Yes, training will be offered throughout the State. Contact a State Travel Specialist for coordination or next available session.
5. What are the benefits of signing up for the program?
The State of California is in a fiscal crisis. The DGS is charged with ensuring State employees traveling on State business do so in the most cost effective manner. Utilizing a single travel agency can achieve this goal by reducing travel costs and providing consistency and transparency. The DGS will be able to provide government travelers a one-stop shop for routine travel arrangements: accommodations, airline and rail reservations, shuttle arrangements, rental cars, and international travel.
6. What are the fees to participate?
The online Concur Travel booking tool fee is $5 per transaction. The agent-assisted fee is $10 per transaction.
7. How do I use Concur Travel to make reservations?
Visit the Using Concur Travel and Concur FAQs pages on this website for more information.
8. Why should I use Concur Travel instead of calling an agent?
- Concur Travel is fast and convenient.
- It is available 24/7.
- The Concur Travel booking fee is only $5, calling an agent is $10.
- For flights, hotels and cars, Concur Travel shows all carriers on a single screen, providing the ability to price compare.
- Concur Travel is linked to all State of California contract discounts.
- Concur Travel provides a list of all travel plans you’ve made.
9. Will this system tie into State Controller’s Office CalATERS (the California Automated Travel Expense Reimbursement System)?
Yes, we are working with the State Controller’s Office to implement this in Phase 3.
SWABIZ Fares (Southwest Airlines)
Q. Will SWABIZ fares show up in Concur Travel?
A. No, not at this time.
Q. Will we continue to use SWABIZ and Enterprise?
A. Yes. For SWABIZ, you will continue to use it until it is incorporated into Concur Travel, which is planned for next year’s Implementation of Phase 2. For Enterprise, you will continue to use it until the contract expires on December 31, 2010. Further instructions will be given at that time.
Q. We are not using SWABIZ; where do we begin?
A. The Statewide Travel Program (STP) staff will assist you with the SWABIZ set-up.
Q. If SWABIZ is not incorporated into Concur Travel at this time, how can we do comparisons when shopping for airfares?
A. You will need to visit both screens, Concur Travel and SWABIZ. Be sure to add baggage fees when comparing costs. Once SWABIZ is incorporated, you can view all fees and determine the best price.
