How To Use International Call Cards

When traveling long distances, especially to remote places where there are no landline phone facilities, Internet or wireless Wi-Fi stations, international call cards are very useful and convenient. Most tourist shops, groceries, gas stations and convenience stores in cities around the world, usually sell international prepaid cards. Since the toll rates that apply vary depending on the country you are in, it is important that you are familiar with the different kinds of prepaid cards you can use in the country you are going to and the applicable rates charged.

Before you travel, find out which prepaid card offers the cheapest rates. Compare the total call time and/or total SMS messages you can send out, and the per minute rates you will be charged. You may even opt to buy cards sold online if they are cheaper. There are some prepaid cards that offer a flat rate or allow you to add more credits if the initial credits you buy run out.

It is easy to use international call cards. Once you have purchased a call card, the process to activate and use any type of card is very similar and usually follows just a few simple steps:

1. Check the card to know the total amount of minutes you are allowed to consume based on the per minute or per second rate to be charged. Confirm if you are allowed to use the card to send out SMS messages as well.
2. Take note of the access number printed on the prepaid call card. A toll-free or local access number is usually provided. In the US, a toll free 800 or 888 access number is used to dial numbers from a touch-tone phone.
3. Look for the personal identification number (PIN) you need to type or dial to activate your card and start making calls. The PIN number is sometimes covered by a thin silver protective film that needs to be scratched off to reveal your PIN number.
4. Enter the PIN number provided and follow the instructions given on the card to make calls. You may have to listen to a voice prompt or wait for an SMS confirmation before making a call.
5. After receiving confirmation that your call credits have been activated, dial the number you want to contact. The call pattern usually used is to dial the country code + area code + phone number.
6. The credits from the amount you paid for your call card is deducted only when your call is connected overseas. You are charged local connection rates and not the regular international connection charges. You are not even charged for calling a local access number.

When you visit or travel to other countries, you usually want to stay in touch with family members, and feel safe if you have a way to contact people in case of an emergency. Having an international call card helps you get connected to anyone anywhere. In most cases, you are even able to save 70% to 90% on phone charges if you use an international prepaid card.

Since some countries do not sell prepaid call cards, it is suggested that you buy prepaid cards you can use overseas from stores at home, or purchase prepaid call cards online before your trip. Though most destinations have phone access, using cheap prepaid call cards saves phone call bills and allows you to connect anywhere in the world for as long as you have a long distance call card with you.