1) Toll free versus local access numbers
Toll free access numbers provide:
1) More reliability
2) Better chance of getting a connection to your party

Local access numbers provide:
1) Lower rate/more minutes

2) Hidden charges
Be careful of hidden charges. (Refer to the next section on How Phone Card Companies Can Trick You.) Phone cards that have very low rates often charge customers money in other places to make up the difference!

Quality should be a bigger factor in choosing a phone card than price. While quality is slightly more expensive, it is worth it to hear your party and that they can hear you. Many companies do not really offer "high quality" cards. Please do not be fooled by a phone card that has a poor quality connection and think this must be the best out there. There are many phone cards that have crystal quality connections.

1) Anticipated number of phone calls to make with phone card
You should base your purchase decision on how many phone calls you plan to make. If you only make a few phone calls a month, then you should purchase a phone card with a long expiration date so your money is not wasted. However, if you make numerous calls per month, you may want to purchase a phone card with a shorter expiration date because the rates are usually better.

2) Average length per phone call
If a card carries a connection fee, you should also think about how long your average phone calls last. Regrettably, there are few phone card companies out there that still charge connection fees. (A fee charged to your phone card EVERY time you make a phone call.) If your calls are very long and you can use up your phone card in just a few calls, then a connection fee will not hurt you too much. However, we HIGHLY recommend not purchasing a phone card with a connection fee.

The company does not provide a full disclosure of information. The company should have clearly indicated all the information associated with the phone card to the customer. They should also answer any customer questions truthfully before purchase.

Some phone cards that have very low rates often compensate by charging one of the following "hidden fees."

4.2.1) Connection fees
Connection fees are surcharges added to your card EACH TIME you make a phone call. Cards with extremely low rates usually have connection fees. For example, a card may charge 1¢ a minute to Canada but have a $1 connection fee. That's 100 minutes lost each time you call Canada!

4.2.2) Maintenance/Service fees
Maintenance/service fees are surcharges added weekly, biweekly, or monthly to your phone card. These charges are there to help cover the cost of maintaining the telephone network for the phone card. A few phone cards have these fees.

4.2.3) Taxes
Some phone cards pass any tax costs on to the customer. There are several applicable state and federal taxes associated with phone cards. For example: Federal Excise Taxes, California Communication Service Tax, FCC Tax, Sales Taxes, Carrier Universal Service Tax, Carrier Property Tax, State Gross Receipts Surcharge, Universal Lifeline Surcharge, Local Communication Tax, California High cost Fund Surcharge B, and the surcharge for State 911.

4.2.4) Rate surcharges
Rate surcharges are extra fees charged when making a phone call from or to:
1) Cell/Mobile phones
2) Payphones
3) Campus phones
4) Hotel phones

4.2.5) Minute rounding
Most phone cards bill in what is called "1 minute rounding." This means that your phone call is charge to the next minute. For example, a 3.6 minute phone call is charged as a 4 minute phone call. However, some phone cards charge in 2 minute rounding, 3 minute rounding, or even 4 minute rounding! For example, in 3 minute rounding, a 1 minute call is charge as a 3 minute call! You have lost 2 minutes! Always double check the minute rounding for a card.

Always make sure that the company you are doing business with is honest, stable, and reputable. Some phone card retailers go bankrupt or disappear with customers' money. In these cases, the customer's phone card becomes worthless.

With the exception of the first time order verification process, you should always receive your pin number in a timely fashion. If you do not receive your pin number in a reasonable amount of time, then you should contact customer service to get your pin number. Any lengthy delays or non-deliver of a pin number is possible fraud.

Watch out for cards that have a very short expiration date. Some cards have very low rates but expire within just a few days.

Some phone card companies cheat their customers by automatically charging customers for a new phone card when there old one runs out. Never buy a phone card from a company that does this. You should always make the purchases yourself.