Calling Cards

Calling cards are ideal for telephone conversations. Usually, there is an "800" phone number on the card which is called and then a "PIN" number entered before the desired call is placed. There are two basic types of calling cards: pre-paid and credit card based phone cards. Pre-paid calling cards can be purchased based on the number of minutes or an increment of money. There are both international and domestic pre-paid calling cards.

Pre-paid international calling cards can typically be used for multiple countries with each country costing a different amount per minute. For example, a call to Sydney, Australia will cost 7.4 cents per minute compared to a call to Bogotá, Columbia costs 3.2 cents. Domestic calling cards will not vary the price per minute for various calls within the country.

Credit card based calling cards are cards that function like credit cards with the additional function of phone card. With a credit calling card, the cost of each phone call is placed on the credit card and a bill is generated. The advantage of credit calling cards is the unlimited number of minutes that can be used.

By Annie Pan