Calling Cards A discussion and our short list

There are some good reasons why calling cards have become so popular. They're handy, they're versatile and, lately, competition has forced prices down, making them, in some cases, the cheapest way to phone, period!

Different cards are suited to different purposes, though, so . . .

Here are some suggestions to help you choose yours:

1.      Don't carry just one: We've found that the reliability of card platforms, no matter how solid the company may be otherwise, is generally less than what you've come to expect from your long distance phone service. There may be times when you can't get through to the toll-free access number, or the system may inexplicably refuse your PIN. Or your call may just not go through.

At times like these it's very comforting to have a second card to pull out and use.

2.      Don't carry a card with the number on it: Calling cards have become a magnet for fraudsters, and a card with the PIN written on it is just like cash. The best approach is not to write down the PIN at all (see below), but if you must, write is separately.

3.      Postpaid vs. Prepaid: Prepaid cards are very popular for two main reasons:

o        You don't need to have an account with the service provider ... or even a credit card. All you need is the cash for the value of the card and you can start making calls.

o        There's no danger of having a thief steal a big chunk out of your account if s/he somehow gets your PIN. All you can lose is the amount you paid for the card.

If a prepaid card is what you need, we can provide these. Check it out at our prepaid site.

On the other hand, with prepaid you have the inconvenience of having to recharge, sometimes at awkward times. Plus you're paying the money first, so you lose the time value of your money. And there are all those stories about people who lost their money because the prepaid card company disappeared before they had a chance to make their calls. You've minimized that risk almost to zero by going through a reputable agency such as ours ... where we've taken the time and trouble to examine each company before offering it to you. Nevertheless, any time you hand over your money first that risk is inherent in the deal, and for that reason some people insist on using only post-paid cards.

4.      Use a pocket dialer: These are little devices which take the place of your fingers pushing on the buttons. Instead of pushing buttons, you just hold this little gizmo up to the mouthpiece and it sends the tones out for you. There are several reasons why this is a good deal:

o        Since your fingers aren't pushing buttons there's nothing for "shoulder surfers" to watch. Your PIN remains your secret.

o        You don't have to remember your PIN. You can store it in the memory of the dialer.

o        You can store other important numbers too. These usually have ten or more registers, so you can store the PINs of all your cards, so there's no hassle connected with having more than one.

If you can't find a pocket dialer in your local area, not to worry; you can order one from us. We have one about the size of a small box of breath mints which has 13 memory registers and a built in keychain. We'll ship it to you anywhere in the world for US$20, delivered, but no VAT or duty paid.

To order a pocket dialer, shipped by Global Priority Mail to any country where this service is available ...

If you're not in a country served by PayPal, you may also order by remitting .075 troy ounces (2.33 grams) of e-gold for each dialer ordered to account #119890. Then send an email giving your shipping address.

Here is our list of recommended post-paid calling cards (Other than Primus Passport, none of these cards have domestic "per-call" or "bong" surcharges. Does not include the new payphone surcharges mandated by the FCC in the US for all calling cards):

·         AccuLinq (4.9¢/min) Outstanding (USA-48 origination) service, featuring low international and interstate rates. Billed monthly, the regular cost of interstate service is 8.9¢ per minute, with local access available at 4.9¢ per minute from several locations. There is no per-call surcharge with the exception of payphone calls. Online signup. For commercial and residential users. Web call details. Automatic credit card payment available. A $1 fee applies each month you use the card. Click on the graphic for full details, rates, and to sign up.

·         RoadTel (8.5¢/min) Outstanding (USA-48 origination) service, featuring low international and interstate rates. Billed monthly, the regular cost of interstate service is 8.5¢ per minute, billed in full minute increments. There is no per-call surcharge with the exception of payphone calls. Online signup. For commercial and residential users. A one-time $2.99 Activation Fee applies.
Click on the graphic for full details, rates, and to sign up.

·         Global Access Card (now also known as "Primus Passport"): This is a true international calling card, giving you access through toll-free numbers in over 40 countries. Competitive, reasonable rates within the US, big savings when calling from many countries overseas.

GA Card/Primus Passport is a service of Isterra, a division of Primus Communications. Excellent quality and reliability using Primus' own worldwide network. Click on the card, then choose "Voice Service" and follow the menus from there.

·         AccuChat:          Domestic Calling Card . Outstanding (USA-48 origination) service, featuring low domestic 3.9¢ rates with local access number and 6.9¢ rate with national access number. Billed monthly, there is no per-call surcharge with the exception of payphone calls. Online signup. For commercial and residential use. Web call details, automatic credit card payment available. A $1 fee applies each month you use the card.

·         Cogni-Dial:          Although technically not a calling card (must be used from pre-subscribed number), CogniDial Toll Free Dial Around offers outstanding (USA-48 origination) service, featuring low international and interstate rates using dial-around ANI recognition. The cost of international calls just got a whole lot cheaper: UK 6.8 cpm, Germany 8.5 cpm, Italy 10.9 cpm, Japan 10.9 cpm, Moscow 11.1 cpm. There is no per-call surcharge ... period. Online signup. For both commercial and residential users. Web call details. Automatic credit card payment. Six-second billing increments

 

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