How to Choose a Prepaid Phone Card

Even in the age of widespread cell phone use, prepaid phone cards are great resources for emergencies and long-distance calls whether you're using a cellular phone or a land line. Prepaid phone cards can be bought specifically for local, long distance or international use, so when you purchase a phone card it's important that you know how you plan to use the card and how often you'll need it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Ask your telephone or wireless phone service provider about long distance and international calling plans to find out what types of calling are covered with your current service and what additional options your existing service provider offers. You can compare these options with others offered by competitors.
2. Look for calling cards offered by name brand phone service providers other than your existing provider. If another company has a better long distance plan that your provider, you have several options besides switching services. You can enroll for just a long distance plan with a second provider or you can ask the second provider about calling card options that you can use with your existing plan.
3. Calculate the amount of time you expect to spend on long distance or international calls. Some phone cards have parameters for minimum and maximum numbers of minutes spent using the card, so you need to know your expected usage.
4. Compare rates per minute across cards, realizing that local calls will obviously be cheaper than long distance and long distance cheaper than international. Look for the card with the best rate on the type of calling you need the most.
5. Look for cards that serve a specific geographical area for the least expensive options. If you need a long distance calling card, look for a card that targets the specific region you'll be calling, and if you need to make international calls, look for a calling card that specializes in the region of the world you'll be calling or even the specific country.
6. Learn about how rates differ for a single calling card. Many calling cards offer different rates depending on the time of day, charging more at peak hours. Consider these rates and when you plan to call when choosing the best option.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget factors like convenience. While a few cents per minute won't make a big difference if you're only going to be making international calls for a month or two while traveling, having to enter several different codes and identification numbers can be a real hassle.
• If you have long-term needs for a phone card, look for refillable or rechargeable cards that allow you to call and add money when you run out. Rechargeable cards reduce the trouble of having to buy a new card every few months.

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