How to choose an international calling card
Posted by Nancy Grey on August 24th, 2016
Whether you are going to travel internationally for business or pleasure, in all probability, you would like to find a way to stay connected with your friends and family back home. This essential need to stay connected is ably satisfied by international calling cards. These cards are very popular among travelers looking for a quick and easy way to make international calls without burning a hole in their wallets! However, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when choosing these calling cards.
The first thing that one needs to check is which calling card provides the best international calling plan for the country of their choice. For example, if you are in the US, and you need to buy a calling card for making calls to Indian numbers, choose a brand that offers the best rates for making phone calls to India. You may have to take this step in order to save money and may also have to forego better services like faster connectivity and settle for something that suits your pocket.
Though you may have chosen an international calling card from a reputed brand, you may still be due being cheated upon with hidden call rates and features such as ‘rounding’ when a call can be rounded off to the near-minute and in some unfortunate cases, to the nearest 5-minute mark. This means that you will pay for 3 or minutes even if your call was only for half-a-minute! Read the ‘fine print’ before making a final decision.
There are several other fees that calling card companies levy on customers and these are charges that you need to be aware of in advance. From service fees to monthly subscription fees to cancellation fees and to increased call rates during peak hours, it is imperative that you make sure that you know everything that is to know before making your purchase.
International calling cards are indeed a great way to remain in touch with people in other countries. However, one needs to find a brand that offers quality service. Therefore, before actually buying the calling card, you need to make inquiries related to issues such as network strength, availability of both online and offline recharging options, and also the quality of after-sales services. These little details will save you from a lot of hassling situations and will let you connect with those you want to in a seamless fashion.
With the advent of technological advances in telecom and with the introduction of internet-based calling apps such as Skype and Viber, many people are the option for these instead of buying calling cards. However, if you need to buy an international calling card then you can split the number of calls that you make to India, for instance, between your calling card and an application such a Skype. This way, you will be able to save money and also remain connected throughout.
It is relatively easy to get an international calling for yourself, once you have done your research. Make sure that you gather information about the brand that you are investing in and also take into account the opinion of friends and family who have used international calling cards. This knowledge will help you in choosing an international calling plan that is perfect for you.
