With so many phone cards available, it is important to match the calling card to your personal long distance needs. You should compare cards on their per-minute rates, any additional fees, and access numbers offered.
Function
Phone cards guarantee a standard rate when making international or long-distance domestic phone calls. Card users purchase the cards for a flat rate. The dollar amount is reduced for every minute of voice calls used per the rate of the country being called. Users can call from a land line or a cell phone, and can call place calls to cell phones and land lines.
Additional Charges
Phone cards may have additional fees, surcharges, and taxes which are added to each call. Some cards, for example, charge a maintenance fee for using the card. Some cards charge additional fees each time the user calls a toll-free access number.
Considerations
When comparing the overall quality of phone cards, you shouldn't consider just the cost to purchase the card. Factor in any additional phone card surcharges against the advertised per-minute rates when making your decision. For example, one card may cost less than another to buy. But with the toll-free access number surcharges added in, using the card may actually result in less talk time.
Tags: additional fees, access number, per-minute rates, Some cards, toll-free access, toll-free access number, using card