Calling Cards, also known as phone cards, are toted as a quick and simple way to get around the phone company and get cheap long distance rates to almost anywhere in the world.  They are available either in a physical “credit card” sized format, or on-line as a virtual card.

These on-line cards are usually quick and easy to purchase and set up.  You are emailed an activation number and a PIN number.  Once you have these you are ready to go.

How Calling Cards Work

Special networks have been set up by various telecommunication companies to lower rates to destinations all over the world.  Calling Cards tap into these networks to provide long distance for only a few cents per minute.

Calling Cards come in different denominations usually: $5, $10, $20, $50.  So you only have to purchase what you are going to use.  If you only need the card to make a few calls to a friend while they are in Europe, then you probably only need a $5 card.  If you are looking to get around your local phone company’s long distance all together you may want a much higher denomination.

Once you have your card you will receive an activation number and PIN number.  All you have to do is pick up the phone, enter your activation number (this is usually a 10 or 11 digit number beginning with 1-800 or similar code), follow the instructions, enter your PIN when asked to identify your card, then dial the long distance number you wish to reach.

It’s fairly simple!

Calling cards can also be used from any phone, not just your home phone.   You can even use phone cards with virtually all cellular networks and all pay phones, although exceptions exist in some regions of North America.

These phone cards can be used to reach places all over the globe for rates far lower than your phone company’s long distance rates to foreign countries.  They may even provide a better rate to destinations within your own country than the “local” phone company can offer.

So if you were calling from say Toronto – calling at home and abroad, they can significantly lower your long distance bill per month, compared to Bell or mobile carrier rates!

Beware of Surcharges!

When selecting a calling card you have to read the fine print carefully.  Many have surcharges of different sorts: activation fees, connection fees, maintenance fees, termination fees, phone surcharges, and so on, and you will automatically lose minutes off the cards. Many are a real ripp-off in this way.

Usually these come into effect on cards that have more minutes available for the same “price”.  Where one $5 card may have 200 minutes and another has 1000 minutes, chances are, you’ll pay some form of surcharge for the 1000 minute card.

So keep an eye out for the “extra” charges that your card might have hidden in the small print.

Why Would Anyone Pay a Surcharge on Calling Cards?

The simple answer is:

First, they may get more minutes.

Second they may get a better per-minute rate on their calls.

So if you are making longer calls and want more minutes and a good rate, then it may be worth it, but chances are you can get as good a rate, and possibly even as many minutes, for a lesser fee, or possibly no fee at all.  So it pays (literally) to find the right card.

Minute Round-Up

Also watch for how many minutes a card rounds your calls off to.  Some cards may round up to three or even five minutes on shorter calls.  So if you are going to be doing lots of short calls make sure the card you choose rounds to one minute or less if possible.

Summary

When looking for calling cards, make sure you get one with a good rate, for the lowest surcharge  and low minute rounding.  Once you do, you can use almost any phone to call hundreds of destinations in the world for pennies a minute.

Most people who first try these pre-paid phone cards are shocked to see the discrepancy between the Face Value

minutes on the cards vs. the amount of minutes they actually receive, and often feel cheated. Unfortunately they continue to use them either because they don’t qualify for a cell plan, or aren’t aware of any better alternatives.

How Callback Cards Can Save You the Most Money

With conventional calling cards, each card (PIN#) is charged with a certain number of minutes to a specified country, whereas with Callback Cards on the other hand, you pay a flat monthly fee and have unlimited calling at anytime of the day and week for 30 days! There are no activation fees, no minute fees and no contracts – just one low, flat monthly rate!

If you have an unlimited incoming plan on your cell phone, learn how you can save yourself a fortune on your cell-phone bill! Get fast access by ordering one of our Local, Canada-wide, North America (Canada & the US),  and International Unlimited calling plans now, and start saving the money you work for, instead of paying outrageous cell-phone bills!

Areas servicing:

Alberta: Calgary(403), Edmonton(780),
British Columbia: Vancouver(604), Victoria(778),
Manitoba: Winnipeg,
New Brunswick: Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton
Newfoundland and Labrador: St. John’s,
Nova Scotia: Halifax(902)
Ontario: Barrie (705); Hamilton(905), Kingston(905), Kitchener-Waterloo(519), London(519), Mississauga(905), Newmarket(905), Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Toronto(416/647), Windsor(519)
Prince Edward Island: Charlottetown
Quebec:    Montreal(514), Quebec City
Saskatchewan: Saskatoon, Regina

For an unlimited cost-effective alternative to calling cards please contact us and we will set up a one-day trial for you: 1-888-688-6326.