UC ANR Business Operations Center

Travel & Instant Cards

Card Programs for Business Travel

UC ANR facilitates two card programs for UC ANR employees and contingent workers. The more commonly used card is the Travel Card. Contingent workers and guest speakers ineligible for a Travel Card can use an Instant Card for travel, given a legitimate business purpose. 

Travel Card    |    Instant Card

 

Travel Card Program

The Travel card is to be used only for approved and appropriate business travel and business entertainment expenses.  Travel card expenses are automatically paid to the bank, as transactions take place. 

For application information, click here to visit the UC Davis Supply Chain Management website. 

Allowable Uses

  • Lodging, airfare, car rentals
  • Food and catering related to allowable entertainment
  • Meals & incidentals (tips)
  • Conference registration if travel is involved

Unallowable Uses 

  • Expenses not related to travel and entertainment
  • Personal travel and entertainment

Do not reach out to UC Davis; please contact your Business Partner Team with questions. 

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Instant Card Program

Launched March 16, 2026, the Instant Card is a virtual travel card, available with a smartphone app, and designed for one-time travel needs of 

  • Guests traveling on behalf of the University
  • Contingent workers without a Travel Card

The Instant Card is a temporary, virtual payment option available to UC ANR non-employee travelers (e.g., personnel receiving honoraria, guest speakers or plenary facilitators) who do not have access to a standard UC Davis Travel Card (UC ANR uses UC Davis Travel Cards). It allows for secure, short-term use with a preset dollar limit and defined start and end dates. This is called defined activation. 

Travelers can access their card details, including the credit limit, expiration date, and security code, directly from their mobile device using U.S. Bank’s Instant Card App.

Benefits

 This card features:

  • Secure technology including encrypted transactions and compatibility with Apple Pay and Google Pay
  • Automatic integration with AggieExpense for simplified reconciliation
  • Reduced out-of-pocket expenses for non-employees, including guests and individuals relocating to UC ANR
  • Easy access: View, manage, and add the card to a mobile wallet on a smart phone

Requirements

The requested travel must be for a valid UC business purpose, meaning that the travel serves one or more of the University's purposes of teaching, research, or public service. Employees must agree to the terms of use via the Employee Instant Cardholder Agreement when submitting their request.
 
Travelers must have:
  • Smartphone or tablet with ability to download the U.S. Bank Instant Card App
  • Access to email on their mobile device
All transactions must align with UC policy and be reconciled within 45 calendar days of the trip end date.
 

Allowable Uses

Card can be used for travel and travel-related expenses.

Unallowable Uses

Card cannot be used for international travel or for entertainment-related expenses; it is designated only for travel-related expenses.

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