Calling Cards Calling cards are a convenient way to place a call when not at home. However, a calling card provided by long distance carriers such as AT&T and MCI, may come with a surcharge for each use. Some calling cards have a rate of 20 to 40 cents per minute. You may avoid a surcharge and gain a lower rate by obtaining a card from a smaller provider or reseller of telephone service.

Prepaid calling cards Another way to avoid a surcharge is to buy a prepaid calling card. Be aware, prepaid calling cards are not problem free. Many consumers cards are not problem free. Many consumers have recently discovered some prepaid calling cards have following problems:

Higher per-minute rates than other telephone cards.

Some companies have gone out of business leaving their customers with unused minutes and without being reimbursed.

Access numbers or personal identification numbers do not work.

Toll-free access numbers are always busy preventing use of card.

Hidden connection charges have been added to cards.

Poor connections prevent use. When considering purchasing a prepaid calling card, ask following questions: What is actual cost per minute of card?

Is there a sign up or activation fee?

Where can I call from?

Who do I contact if there is a problem with card?

How reputable is company?

How many minutes is calling card worth?

Is there an expiration date?

A personal 1-800 number Setting up a personal 1-800 number may be a good idea for parents with a child in college. While a calling card can be used to call anyone, 1-800 number can only be used to call home. Ask your carrier about receiving a 1-800 number. Often they will set up number at a reasonable rate with no monthly or installation fees.

Avoid rounding charges Some companies charge for a five-minute long distance call when you really only spoke for four minutes and two seconds. This is because company bills in 60-second increments. Therefore, you will often pay for more time than you actually use. AT&T, MCI Worldcom and Sprint bill in 60-second increments. Other carriers may provide different options.

Pay attention to pay phones It is important to be cautious when using a pay phone. Long-distance companies connected to pay phones may charge higher rates and additional fees. Using a calling card to access a different long-distance company’s service may be best alternative. However, you should be aware that some companies may go to great lengths to make it difficult for you to bypass their service and use a different carrier. For example, letterless keypads have been placed on some pay phones, therefore making it difficult to dial through to another carrier (i.e. 1-800-CALL-ATT etc.).

Research and compare Long distance rates and discount plans change on a continual basis. Consumers should frequently call long-distance companies and ask about domestic rates, billing increments and applicable discount plans. What may have been best plan for you six months ago, may no longer apply.