How to Select the Best Prepaid Phone Calling Card

A telephone calling card provides a convenient way for persons to place calls while away from home. Calling cards eliminate the need for using coins at a payphone or having to bill the telephone account from where you place a call. By using a calling card, you can use your long distance telephone company of choice – at its calling card rates – and avoid unexpected charges that might be assessed by a payphone service provider.

What types of calling cards are available?

Standard calling cards are typically issued by a local or long distance telephone company and charges for calls appear on your monthly telephone bill. Calling cards are also available as a combination credit card/calling card, where the card serves as a standard credit card with which you can make purchases, and you can also use it to place telephone calls by using a personal identification number. All charges to the credit card, including telephone calls, are billed to the credit card account.

Prepaid calling cards are issued for a specific amount of $$$, usually in denominations ranging from $5 to $100, and are usable for a certain number of calling minutes, ranging from 10 to more than 100 minutes. Prepaid calling cards are issued by local and long distance telephone companies and other companies whose businesses are not telephone related. The cards are sold through retail and convenience stores, service stations, vending machines, the Internet, and other retail outlets. Because a prepaid calling card represents telephone time purchased in advance, you are not sent a bill for the calls you make. With each use, the call's cost is deducted from the card's balance. Generally, periodic voice prompts tell you how much time you have left on the card.

How do you choose the best calling card?

First determine your individual calling needs. Do you need to make a high number of calls to different numbers while traveling, or do you need to budget each call? The standard calling card may offer the most flexibility by allowing you to place a call from any telephone, make international calls, and talk as long as you like. Whereas, prepaid calling cards are useful if you do not have long distance service and want to limit your talk time. Once you understand your telephone usage patterns, shop around to determine the calling card that is best for you. Read the fine print and obtain written information on conditions and directions for use of the card.

What questions are important to ask?

Rates and conditions of calling card service vary widely. Call the company's customer service number and ask these questions:

Standard Calling Cards

• What is the per-minute rate? Are there different rates for different times of the day and can they change without notice?
• Are calls rounded up to the nearest minute, or 30 seconds, or other increment? Is the rate higher for the first minute or is there a minimum per-call charge?
• Can the card be used for local, within state, interstate, and international calls? What are the rates for each type?
• Is there a surcharge, tax, or any other additional charge for each call? If so, how much? Do the surcharges vary when calling from public telephones, hotels, etc.?
• Is there a monthly maintenance fee for the card? Is the fee assessed whether I use the card during the month or not? How much is the fee?
• Must I subscribe to a carrier's local or long distance service in order to use its calling card? If no, will I pay higher rates if I am not subscribed to the telephone company's local or long distance service?
• Can I reach customer service personnel through a toll-free telephone number? What is that number? Is it available 24 hours a day?

Prepaid Calling Card

• Will the card expire and, if so, when?
• What is the per-minute or per-call charge?
• Is there a charge when a call is not completed?
• Is there a per-call connection fee or connection surcharge?
• Is there a higher rate for the first minute or for international calls?
• Will I be notified when one minute is remaining on my call?

How can you guard against theft and misuse?

Be careful when using your standard calling card in a public place. Place your call as privately and quietly as possible. Since some calling cards have the account and personal identification numbers printed on the card, report lost or stolen calling cards immediately to the issuing company. Avoid sharing your card or its numbers with other persons.

Who can help with a problem?

If you have problems or questions related to a standard calling card, contact the card issuer. Complaints regarding prepaid telephone calling cards can be made to the International Telecard Association at 800.333.3513.

Source: State of Washington, Consumer Information Services