Calling Cards

Prepaid phone cards these days are quick-selling communication devices and are commonly seen in convenience stores, supermarkets and hundreds of websites online. There are many unique advantages associated with prepaid phone cards, and among them are making calls from a phone that is not international-calling enabled.

Consumers may choose domestic or international phone cards, when they want to call up their friends, relatives or business associates who live in the next city, or halfway around the world. No agreements are needed for users to sign up, and no monthly bills are to be expected for. These cards also provide a handy calling mode for tourists, business travelers and persons always on the go. Many cards also allow users to make calls on pay phones and hotel lobbies.

Phone Cards Offers Major Savings

Customers generally save an estimated 50% to 70% on international calls when using prepaid phone cards. With advancements in technology, people can cut the costs of international calling by 50% or more, simply by using an international phone card. For example, the cost of calling to Bangalore, India from the US starts at around 3.3 cents a minute, plus applicable local call charges.

For toll free access international calls, the per-minute charges can be a bit higher. The customer also doesn't have to pay large taxes as much as they would if they use their regular telephones or mobile phones, in making long distance international calls.

Cards Offer Users Mobility And Flexibility

Mobility and flexibility are among the major benefits of prepaid phone cards. Customers can make calls from any phones. You can call from home, office, pay phone or from your friend's house. The phone need not be enabled with international long distance calling provisions. Most domestic and international phone cards help customers avoid the worries of waiting for large month-end bills, as the call expenses are well within control of the customers.

Important Terms Phone Card Customers Need To Familiarize With

- Connection Charges

If a phone card has a connection fee, the amount will be deducted from the number of available calling minutes. Most prepaid calling cards come without a connection charge. Read the fine print, if the card you purchase has connection fee. The amount will be deducted from your account if the call reaches a voice mail or a wrong number.

- Local Access Number

This is the number you dial to access the service offered by the prepaid calling card. Using a local access number to avail of a prepaid phone card service gives more minutes than using toll free numbers to access the service.

- Maintenance Fees

This fee is charged on the card on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. No maintenance fee is levied if the full value is utilized within a week, fortnight or a month.

- Validity and Expiration Dates

Most phone card providers have different policies regarding validity and expiration dates. The validity can range from 90 days from purchase of the card, to 365 days after the last use of the card.