Purchasing Card
The Purdue University Purchasing Card (PCard) provides an efficient, cost-efficient method of purchasing and paying for small-dollar, non-repetitive transactions — within established procurement guidelines — to conduct university business.
The PCard cannot be used to avoid or bypass appropriate procurement or payment procedures, as a travel card, or for personal use.
The university has established three card configurations to support our business use:
- Dual Purpose Individual - This card is issued in the name of an individual and should not be used by anyone other than the person who is issued the card. The card allows for the purchase of general goods appropriate for university business and purchases from hospitality merchants, such as restaurants, miscellaneous food stores, hotels (pre-booking conferences), florists, grocery stores, etc. These cards exclude merchant codes that typically would not appear as an appropriate university purchase such as personal expenditures, entertainment venues and alcohol and travel-related services. Business travel-related services should utilize the Travel Card and be expensed.
- Dual Purpose Department - This card is issued in the name of the department, and a checkout log must be kept identifying authorized users and employee purchase information. The card allows for the purchase of general goods appropriate for university business and purchases from hospitality merchants, such as restaurants, miscellaneous food stores, hotels (pre-booking conferences), florists, grocery stores, etc. These cards exclude merchant codes that typically would not appear as an appropriate university purchase such as personal expenditures, entertainment venues and alcohol and travel-related services. Business travel-related services should utilize the Travel Card and be expensed.
- Study Abroad - This card is issued in the name of the faculty or staff member escorting the study abroad group. The card can be used for study abroad travel expenses such as group airfare, lodging, transportation, tours, meals, etc.
To apply for a new card, make changes to an existing card or view supporting materials, visit the Card Services Resources webpage.