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International calling cards

A phone card is a cheap and cheerful way to make phone calls in the UK. They usually specialise in cheap international call rates to particular countries, so they’re a good idea if you have friends or family abroad that you’d like to keep in touch with. A good phone card can mean calling China for the cost of a local UK call.

How do phone cards work?

In most cases, the phone card itself is practically useless – it’s the number on it that counts. Buying a phone card means paying for a certain amount of call time (like using a Pay As You Go mobile). To use the call time, dial the prefix number on the card before dialling the number you wish to contact. Then just chat away.

How much do phone cards cost?

If you’re buying a phone card for cheap international call rates, you’ll normally have a separate phone card for each country you want to call. Most providers offer calls to larger or closer countries at a cheaper price than those more obscure or further away. For instance, calls to the US can be dirt cheap, but you will usually pay more to phone your mate in Azerbaijan. Rates vary from card to card, but you will usually save money compared to using BT.

Why use a phone card?

Phone cards can offer excellent savings on your calls, but it can be inconvenient to punch in the prefix each time. If you forget to dial it, you will be paying BT rates for your call. On the other hand, phone cards can be used from any landline phone, and you can find cards that save you money on UK calls when you’re unable to use your landline.

Before you opt for a phone card, try using the HomePhoneChoices.co.uk wizard to look at the rates you could be paying with a more traditional phone company. Cheap international call rates have improved a great deal in recent years, and you might find that you can save money without the hassle of a prefix number.