Just like there are a number of reasons that people would buy a phone card, it could be just as difficult to choose what phone cards to buy. For example, it makes a difference in whether to get a domestic calling card or an international calling card. Also, when the phone card is going to be used will make a difference as to which calling card to pick. It is important to check if the rate per minute is the same at any time of day, or more expensive at peak calling times. For example, if someone is going to make international calls that are going to be longer than 15 minutes, they should use a card that has a connection fee. This seems unreasonable, but other phone cards that do not have this fee will charge for the international long distance call, whether or not the call is connected.



If the international calls are going to be shorter than 15 minutes, the person might look for the phone card that has NO connection fee. Anyone can get phone cards with the regular land based phone plan, but in the event that the person decides to travel around, and with the huge expense of pay phones, the person may be better off with a wireless phone card.

Standard phone cards are usually available from any telephone company, or come with a paid long distance service. Connection fees vary between phone cards. Some phone cards will have no connection fee and a higher call rate while others have a connection fee but lower call rates. Generally it is cheaper to call at night or during off-peak times.

Then there are some phone cards that have an advertised low calling rate, but then when a person goes to use the phone card, some phone cards charge their advertised discount rates for the first 10 minutes and then after that they charge more expensive rates. When buying a calling card, it is smart to avoid these types of phone cards unless it is used for always making short calls. It is important to consider the time units that the phone card company uses to calculate the length of the calls. Some phone card companies charge by the minute, others charge in six-second or one-second intervals.

Using a phone card is easy and quite convenient. To use a phone card, the user simply has to dial an access number or a 1-800 number to connect to the service. anyone can buy these phone cards in local stores, or get a 1-800-number and a PIN directly on the Internet. This is called a virtual calling card. It is important to note that some prepaid phone cards expire on a fixed date. If the card has an expiration date, it is usually 3-6 months after the phone card is first used. Calls from payphones typically have 60-cent surcharges, since they are owned by phone companies, who charge the 1-800- numbers. One should check the charge per minute for calls from a land line to a mobile line. It can make a big difference in expense.

Phone cards are particularly beneficial for the traveler, and for anyone without a cell (mobile) phone. Instead of making collect calls, credit card calls or third party calls, the traveler could just get a phone card. No more need for pumping coins in the pay phone, or pay ridiculously large hotel charges.