Best International calling cards

Do you plan to travel abroad, but you're not sure how to keep in contact with your family and friends back home? An international calling card is probably the most convenient and inexpensive way to make international calls. To help you find the best international calling cards available in the market, we have put together this buyer’s guide, after going through a large number of customer reviews.

• Prepaid international calling cards: These have specific amounts of calls on them--once the amount is exhausted, they can either be discarded or recharged. Most international calling cards are normally quantified in dollars because the rate of call per minute differs from one country to another.

• Post-paid cards: The best thing about a post-paid international calling card is that there is no fear of a declining balance. You will receive a monthly bill, and be billed according to the number of calls that you make each month.

• Rechargeable calling cards: The rechargeable calling card needs to be recharged after the designated minutes expire. If you have bought the card online, you need to return it online and get a recharge option. A store will provide all the information related to recharging if the card is bought from a store. You select the payment option depending on the service provider: it can be done through cash, check, credit card, or money order.

After going through thousands of international calling card reviews, we have listed some points that most users look for.

• Pay attention to the fine print: It is easy to be conned by service providers and charged extra for your international calls. Often the fine print in the instructional sheet contains the most valuable information. So always ask the vendor for all the necessary information, and do not buy a card unless you are satisfied with the terms and conditions.

• Expiration date: There are many calling cards which come with an expiry date: the card will have to be discarded once you pass the date. It is always better to get a card which never expires so that you can use it whenever you want.

• Payphone access: Go through your international calling card plan and find out whether you can make international calls via pay phones by using your card. Some service providers offer toll-free numbers which can be dialed through payphones for free. If there are no toll-free numbers, you can still access the local numbers, pay the local fees, and make an international call.

• Prefer “units” over “minutes”: It is better to get a no-fee card from a national service provider if you do not plan to use your international calling card frequently. A card which advertises ‘units’ and not minutes lasts longer because the actual minutes you get on your calling card will be less than what is advertised.

• Do your research: It is always useful to compare the terms and expenses of various service providers. There are quite a few international calling cards which cost as little as 1 cent per minute--but the rates should also be pitted against other surcharges and fees. Calculate the entire amount to get the best deal.

• Think about your requirements: You can do an online review of different cards and find the one that meets your requirements. The best card can come from the most unassuming service provider. Buy a card of the smallest denomination, do a test run and see if it works for you.

• One-way calling or multiple options: Find out whether your international calling card is only wired for one-way calling. It is obviously more convenient if your friends and family members can make a call from their homeland as well. Multiple-option cards are especially useful if you are traveling from one country to the other--speak to the service provider and find out if they have multiple calling options.

• Reliance Global Call: Reliance Global Call combines sophisticated technology with personalized features and amazing low-cost international calls. There are multiple calling plans, and the user can choose one as per their requirements. The customer service care is quite impressive, as they will be available to assist you if you run into trouble while making a call.

• AT&T: AT&T is one of the leading communication companies in the world, who provide good plans in international calling. The best thing about them is that the user is told how many minutes remain after each call. It is convenient to use, and you can add minutes to your international calling card even when you are traveling.