International Phone Cards

Factual Questions
1

I am in need of an International Phone Card. Looking at a few of them, it seems the rates are geared for calls FROM the US only. That’s ok, but I thought I could take one with me to call TO the US! Am I missing something?

Also, will a Sprint phone card (for example) work with an AT&T phone? Will it affect the rates quoted on the phone card? And in japan, do I simply dial the 800 number on the card and then dial my US number like normal? …or, do I need to fool with country codes at some point?

Obviously, I am clueless here. Please help! Tell all!

  • Jinx
2

It sounds like you are looking for a prepaid card. When I use the card that goes with my phone account, I dial a toll-free access number then follow directions to dial the destination number (including country code) and then my own phone number (in your case it would probably be some sort of code number on the card).

Here’s one from Sprint. It came up in a search for prepaid, although it doesn’t say prepaid on this page.

3

Source: http://consumerist.com/5067668/scam-prepaid-phone-cards-deliver-about-half-the-minutes-promised

Full story here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27327684/

4

Are you going to be calling to the US from just one country, or moving around a lot? Because if you’re just going to be in one country, my advice would be to buy a low-value prepaid calling card at your destination.

If you’re going to be moving around a lot, you may look into buying a GSM compatible cell phone and renting SIM cards at your various destinations. It would be more costly than the phone card, but the convenience really can’t be beat.

(I’m a frequent international traveler, BTW.)

5

There are plenty of places online like www.all-phonecards.com but I would just buy a card when you get there. Ask the locals and you will find the best deal. I would only buy before travel if you absolutely must have a calling card on arrival and even in China I know I can buy them right on arrival.