Calling Cards
Calling cards, Long Distance and even International calling cards are a prepaid option when calling domestic and abroad.
Phone cards, or calling cards, are a prepaid method of making a long distance (domestic or international) call. In using a calling card you save money on your long distance phone bill.
There are no monthly bills, and no detailed statements. Rather, you simply pay for the calling time in advance and reduce the prepaid balance as you make calls.
Advantage of using Calling Cards
There are many reasons why you should use calling cards. Here are a few:
They are often much cheaper than long distance providers.
They are cheaper than your local phone company.
They are cheaper than collect calls and operator assisted calls
You can budget your long distance calling costs.
You can bypass hotel and educational institution systems with the resultant savings. (Dialing calling card toll free access numbers allows you to bypass the system.)
There are no monthly bills, and no detailed statements. Rather, you simply pay for the calling time in advance and reduce the prepaid balance as you make calls.
How to use it?
Each calling card has an toll-free 800 number, or local access number(s), provided for your access. We also provide a "PIN" as well. Just dial the access number, enter your "PIN" number, then you'll be prompted to enter the phone number that you're calling. It's that simple!
Here are some more detailed instructions:
1. Dial Toll Free access number, or local access number (sent via email)
2. At the prompt, enter your PIN number (sent via email)
3. Dial your destination number (see below)
For Calls within or to USA, Canada or Caribbean
Dial the 1 + area code + phone number
Example: 1 + 312 + 555 + 1212
For International Calls
Dial 011 + country code + city code + phone number
Example: 011 + 91 + 55 + 8888888
4. To place another call, do not hang up. Press # (pound key) for 2 seconds, then repeat step 3.
Speed dial is a free service that allows you to dial your frequently called phone numbers automatically. You can save up to 20 numbers for use with speed dial. Store your Mom in Germany as 1, your brother in Singapore as 2, your sister in Canada as 3, and so on. Speed dial is not available with all calling cards.
To register a number for use with speed dial, log into your CallingCards.com account and enter the number in the appropriate section of your account information.
To use a speed dial number, enter the "Speed Dial Number", followed by "#", when prompted for your destination number. For example, to dial your entry in number 3, just press 3#. We will connect your call automatically!
We have created the glossary below to help you fully understand your calling card and all associated terms. If you can not find a term that you are looking for, please e-mail us and we will try to help you with your new term(s). We encourage this as it helps other users. Our goal is for you to become a knowledgeable consumer in purchasing a calling card.
Access Number The access number is the number you call to gain access to your calling card. Access numbers for your card are available on the card's profile page and in the email that was sent to you at purchase. Your card may include local and toll-free access numbers.
Auto-Recharge Auto-Recharge (automatic recharge) is a free, optional service that is included with many calling cards. Through your online account management, you can program your account to add more minutes to your calling card when you reach a low minute or dollar balance. For example, you can set your card to automatically add $50 when your remaining balance reaches $5.
Area Code The area code is a three digit number (ex. 212) that precedes the destination number.
Billing Increment The billing increment is the unit in which your call will be rounded. For example, if your card has a 3 minute billing increment, calls lasting between 0 and 3 minutes will be billed as 3 minutes, calls between 3 and 6 minutes will be billed as 6 minutes, and so on.
Calling Card A calling card (phone card) is a card that is used to make phone calls at a rate other than the one charged by the carrier. Calling cards may be prepaid (paid for before the call) or postpaid (billed after the calls have been made).
Carrier A carrier is the telephone company that provides network service, such as your cell phone or land line services.
Cellular Phone A cellular (cell) phone is a portable phone that uses a wireless connection to transmit and receive calls.
Communication Fees Communication fees apply to each call made with your calling card. The stated communication fee will be deducted automatically from your calling card balance. For example, a 10 minute call made using a card with a 10% communication fee will be billed as 11 minutes (10 minutes + 10% of 10 minutes).
Connection Fee: Every time a connection is made, the stated connection fee will be deducted from your calling card balance. A connection is considered to be made when the party you are calling picks up the phone (even if you call the wrong number), when an answering machine answers, or in some cases if the recipient's phone rings more than ten times.
Country Code The country code is a two or three digit codes used for International calls.
Destination Number The destination number is the phone number of the friend, family member, colleague, business, or other entity you are calling. Once you have entered your PIN, the automated calling card system will prompt you to enter your destination number.
Directory Assistance Directory assistance, also known as "Information", is an operator-assisted calling service that provides you with information such as phone numbers and addresses.
Expiration Your card will become inactive on the stated expiration date. Any remaining card balance will not be refunded.
Land Line A land line (landline) is a traditional phone line which requires a metal wire, or optical fiber cabling to make connections, unlike a cellular phone.
Local Access When you call a local access number, you are responsible for any fees. This is different from calling a toll-free number, which is usually a free call. Many phone companies do not charge for local calls, or may offer "unlimited" national long distance. Local Access Numbers are used to reduce costs, which gives you a better price and more minutes on your calling card. Local access is not available throughout the whole country.
Maintenance Fee A maintenance fee is assessed by the calling card provider to maintain call quality. Maintenance fees will be deducted from your calling card balance at the stated interval (weekly, monthly, etc.).
Payphone Surcharge The stated payphone surcharge will be deducted from your calling card balance every time you connect to a call using a
PIN Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a number that is required to verify your identity when using your calling card. Your PIN is sent via email, along with your access number and other card information.
Pinless Dialing Make calls without entering your pin number! You can register up to 6 phone numbers that you'll be calling from for use with Pinless Dialing. Our system will recognize your registered phone numbers and you will not have to enter your pin number to make your call. You can add/remove registered phone numbers from your account as many times as you would like at no charge.
Pinless-Global: Pinless Dialing Works From All Countries
Pinless-USA: Pinless Dialing Works from USA Only
Rechargeable A calling card is rechargeable if more value can be added to it after the initial value has been used. Most calling cards from CallingCards.com are rechargeable.
Security Code A Security Code is a four-digit code that can be used instead of a PIN to verify your identity when using pinless dialing.
Speed Dial Store your frequently dialed numbers in Speed Dial to call without entering a destination number! You can save up to 20 phone numbers. Each phone number will be assigned a 2-digit code for quicker dialing. You can add/remove Speed Dial numbers from your account as many times as you would like at no charge.
Toll-Free Toll-free phone numbers are generally free to the caller. Fees may apply if you are calling from a payphone, a hotel, a dormitory, or another private phone system. In the United States, toll free phone numbers start with 800, 866, 877 or 888.
Calling cards, Long Distance and even International calling cards are a prepaid option when calling domestic and abroad.
Phone cards, or calling cards, are a prepaid method of making a long distance (domestic or international) call. In using a calling card you save money on your long distance phone bill.
There are no monthly bills, and no detailed statements. Rather, you simply pay for the calling time in advance and reduce the prepaid balance as you make calls.
Advantage of using Calling Cards
There are many reasons why you should use calling cards. Here are a few:
They are often much cheaper than long distance providers.
They are cheaper than your local phone company.
They are cheaper than collect calls and operator assisted calls
You can budget your long distance calling costs.
You can bypass hotel and educational institution systems with the resultant savings. (Dialing calling card toll free access numbers allows you to bypass the system.)
There are no monthly bills, and no detailed statements. Rather, you simply pay for the calling time in advance and reduce the prepaid balance as you make calls.
How to use it?
Each calling card has an toll-free 800 number, or local access number(s), provided for your access. We also provide a "PIN" as well. Just dial the access number, enter your "PIN" number, then you'll be prompted to enter the phone number that you're calling. It's that simple!
Here are some more detailed instructions:
1. Dial Toll Free access number, or local access number (sent via email)
2. At the prompt, enter your PIN number (sent via email)
3. Dial your destination number (see below)
For Calls within or to USA, Canada or Caribbean
Dial the 1 + area code + phone number
Example: 1 + 312 + 555 + 1212
For International Calls
Dial 011 + country code + city code + phone number
Example: 011 + 91 + 55 + 8888888
4. To place another call, do not hang up. Press # (pound key) for 2 seconds, then repeat step 3.
Speed dial is a free service that allows you to dial your frequently called phone numbers automatically. You can save up to 20 numbers for use with speed dial. Store your Mom in Germany as 1, your brother in Singapore as 2, your sister in Canada as 3, and so on. Speed dial is not available with all calling cards.
To register a number for use with speed dial, log into your CallingCards.com account and enter the number in the appropriate section of your account information.
To use a speed dial number, enter the "Speed Dial Number", followed by "#", when prompted for your destination number. For example, to dial your entry in number 3, just press 3#. We will connect your call automatically!
We have created the glossary below to help you fully understand your calling card and all associated terms. If you can not find a term that you are looking for, please e-mail us and we will try to help you with your new term(s). We encourage this as it helps other users. Our goal is for you to become a knowledgeable consumer in purchasing a calling card.
Access Number The access number is the number you call to gain access to your calling card. Access numbers for your card are available on the card's profile page and in the email that was sent to you at purchase. Your card may include local and toll-free access numbers.
Auto-Recharge Auto-Recharge (automatic recharge) is a free, optional service that is included with many calling cards. Through your online account management, you can program your account to add more minutes to your calling card when you reach a low minute or dollar balance. For example, you can set your card to automatically add $50 when your remaining balance reaches $5.
Area Code The area code is a three digit number (ex. 212) that precedes the destination number.
Billing Increment The billing increment is the unit in which your call will be rounded. For example, if your card has a 3 minute billing increment, calls lasting between 0 and 3 minutes will be billed as 3 minutes, calls between 3 and 6 minutes will be billed as 6 minutes, and so on.
Calling Card A calling card (phone card) is a card that is used to make phone calls at a rate other than the one charged by the carrier. Calling cards may be prepaid (paid for before the call) or postpaid (billed after the calls have been made).
Carrier A carrier is the telephone company that provides network service, such as your cell phone or land line services.
Cellular Phone A cellular (cell) phone is a portable phone that uses a wireless connection to transmit and receive calls.
Communication Fees Communication fees apply to each call made with your calling card. The stated communication fee will be deducted automatically from your calling card balance. For example, a 10 minute call made using a card with a 10% communication fee will be billed as 11 minutes (10 minutes + 10% of 10 minutes).
Connection Fee: Every time a connection is made, the stated connection fee will be deducted from your calling card balance. A connection is considered to be made when the party you are calling picks up the phone (even if you call the wrong number), when an answering machine answers, or in some cases if the recipient's phone rings more than ten times.
Country Code The country code is a two or three digit codes used for International calls.
Destination Number The destination number is the phone number of the friend, family member, colleague, business, or other entity you are calling. Once you have entered your PIN, the automated calling card system will prompt you to enter your destination number.
Directory Assistance Directory assistance, also known as "Information", is an operator-assisted calling service that provides you with information such as phone numbers and addresses.
Expiration Your card will become inactive on the stated expiration date. Any remaining card balance will not be refunded.
Land Line A land line (landline) is a traditional phone line which requires a metal wire, or optical fiber cabling to make connections, unlike a cellular phone.
Local Access When you call a local access number, you are responsible for any fees. This is different from calling a toll-free number, which is usually a free call. Many phone companies do not charge for local calls, or may offer "unlimited" national long distance. Local Access Numbers are used to reduce costs, which gives you a better price and more minutes on your calling card. Local access is not available throughout the whole country.
Maintenance Fee A maintenance fee is assessed by the calling card provider to maintain call quality. Maintenance fees will be deducted from your calling card balance at the stated interval (weekly, monthly, etc.).
Payphone Surcharge The stated payphone surcharge will be deducted from your calling card balance every time you connect to a call using a
PIN Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a number that is required to verify your identity when using your calling card. Your PIN is sent via email, along with your access number and other card information.
Pinless Dialing Make calls without entering your pin number! You can register up to 6 phone numbers that you'll be calling from for use with Pinless Dialing. Our system will recognize your registered phone numbers and you will not have to enter your pin number to make your call. You can add/remove registered phone numbers from your account as many times as you would like at no charge.
Pinless-Global: Pinless Dialing Works From All Countries
Pinless-USA: Pinless Dialing Works from USA Only
Rechargeable A calling card is rechargeable if more value can be added to it after the initial value has been used. Most calling cards from CallingCards.com are rechargeable.
Security Code A Security Code is a four-digit code that can be used instead of a PIN to verify your identity when using pinless dialing.
Speed Dial Store your frequently dialed numbers in Speed Dial to call without entering a destination number! You can save up to 20 phone numbers. Each phone number will be assigned a 2-digit code for quicker dialing. You can add/remove Speed Dial numbers from your account as many times as you would like at no charge.
Toll-Free Toll-free phone numbers are generally free to the caller. Fees may apply if you are calling from a payphone, a hotel, a dormitory, or another private phone system. In the United States, toll free phone numbers start with 800, 866, 877 or 888.
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