Pick an International Phone Card

Do you often make international phone calls? Do you have family and friends abroad? Do you travel to foreign countries often? Are you having a difficult time keeping in touch? If so, then read on.

A prepaid calling card is the cheapest and most convenient option to make international phone calls. One could use a computer and internet but if you and your family / friends do not live their life in front of a computer, that is not good enough. Fortunately, internet, using voice over IP technology allows the calling card companies use the same internet infrastructure to route voice traffic over long distances between two phones. Nowadays, best rates to call between popular destinations is below 1 cent a minute. Compared to using the long distance plans of a phone company, or a cell phone account, the calling card prices are almost free.

As a consumer, what features can we expect in a calling card? And what costs and fees should we be aware of?

Steps

  1. Find a calling card that offers cheap calls. This is the number one feature of a prepaid calling card. Rate offered must be reasonable.
  2. Be aware of maintenance fees - some phone cards have maintenance fees that you should be aware of. Even if you do not use the card, they may for example charge certain amount every month which would make the card loose it's value after a certain period. If you plan to use the card quickly and be done with it, then this is not a problem. But if you do not know how often you will use your phone card, then you should avoid signing up for a card that charges maintenance fees.
  3. Check out the rates. Calling cards usually offer different rates when you call cell phones. If the phone you are calling to is a cell phone, you need to know how much you will pay.
  4. Look for the local access numbers for different areas. Calling cards provide local access numbers for different cities around the world. You would typically get a different phone card for different destinations. One phone card does not fit all. For example, if you are in the USA and if you are calling China, then the phone card you get needs to be for these two ends, US and China. You will typically get a list of local access numbers that are in USA. Using these numbers, you can make free local calls in the US to connect with your destination in China.
  5. See if the card is one way calling (only), or if you have an option. Many calling cards companies and plans are geared for one way calling. Most popular ones target US origin calls being made to other countries like China, India, Europe. However, it is very convenient if your card allows your family and friends call you from their countries also. These cards are also good for travel. For example, if you are a US person, you can get a phone card, fly to Europe, and call back home when you arrive using your phone card. Again, for cheapest rates, you need to find out the local access numbers. For example, if you are in Shanghai, you will call a local Shanghai number which will connect you to your US destination. These are just example destinations. A phone card may allow calls from any country to any other. Not just USA.
  6. See if you can use a pay phone with your calling card. When traveling, it is very convenient to make international phone calls using common pay phones that you find on streets, malls, airports, train stations. In some countries, calling cards may provide toll free numbers (Such as 1-800 in USA). These numbers can be dialed from pay phones for free (Typically you pay first for a local call, dial, talk and then get your money back). If toll free numbers are not available, you can still dial local access numbers from pay phones so that you only pay local fees, but make international calls. Some cards may charge extra if you call from pay phones. You need to read your plan description and very the rate if you will be making calls from pay phones.
  7. Find it on line. Easiest and perhaps the only option to purchase a prepaid phone card is to purchase online using your credit card. If refill is offered that is convenient because you won't have to get a new PIN that you need to remember.



Tips

  • Prepaid calling cards will allow you to call from any country to another using local access numbers. No maintenance fee options are available. The rates are competitive. Most rates are under one or two cents a minute. You can sign up online without hassle and you can maintain your calling card account online to buy other cards or request refills when you run out of minutes.

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