Prepaid Calling Cards - Benefits and Facts

Prepaid phone cards have a multiple role when it comes to usability and versatility. Calling cards are used by students, busy travelling executives, military personnel on overseas duties and by just about anyone who likes to keep a tight control on what they spend on telephone calls.
Some people do not have free access to a land line service, in particular students of all ages, such as high school students still in their teens and also college students living away from home and sharing accommodation with a dozen other people who also have no phone facilities.
Worried parents are using calling cards and prepaid cards more and more to ensure a safe and secure communication with young adults living away from home for study or work experience. The option of being able to pay in advance for calls provides peace of mind for parents who might otherwise be uncomfortable with teenage kids being out of communication range.
Thriving businesses utilize prepaid cards for a different reason: the prepaid calling card system provides an excellent expense record to monitor phone expenditure for traveling executives and sales representatives, allowing an accurate and reliable table of reconciliation. In addition, there are so many attractive offers and special deals available when bulk purchasing prepaid call cards, any company with a sensible policy for economy would be crazy not to take advantage of the possible savings.
Prepaid calling cards may be purchased just about anywhere, even in gas stations and your local convenience store. It might be a good idea not to load a prepaid calling card with more credit than you project you might actually be able to use, however, as many cards have a 'shelf life' and credit will be withdrawn if not used by a certain date. Obviously, the offers and packages available through prepaid phone card companies are often compromised by expired deals, so try to moderate your purchase and buy only the level of credit you think you can use to avoid wasted credit.
When comparing calling cards, it might be a good idea to try a couple of carriers as some provide a better quality of phone reception than others and also beware of hidden costs such as connection fees and penalties for top ups. Some prepaid calling card providers are cheeky enough to charge for calls that are dialed but not completed so shop for the ones that allow a little flexibility.
Prepaid calling cards are a particularly useful commodity when travelling in countries where overseas calls are charged at an extortionate rate. Purchasing the card before departure can allow you to budget sensibly and schedule a reasonable number of calls home.