Released: April 01, 1997
1997 Prepaid Phone Card Pricing Survey
PLEASE NOTE: This 1997 publication is not current, and should be used only as historical information.
NOTES: Survey conducted during December 1996 and January 1997 by CA staff members Jeffrey Goldblat, Nancy McAdoo, Nelson Santiago and Linda Sherry. Prices change! Ask vendors for latest rates when choosing a card.
LIMITS ON USING CA's SURVEYS: Neither CA's surveys nor its interpretation of survey results may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purposes. CA will take all steps necessary to prevent commercial use of its surveys or name.
SURVEY NOTES
PRICE PER MINUTE
* USA RATES: A range in prices is shown for cards that offer lower rates as the face value of the card increases. Rates good for calls in or between 48 continental states--rates may be higher for calls to Hawaii and Alaska.
* INTERNATIONAL RATES: Rates vary widely for calls to other countries. If a range is shown for Mexico, it reflects the high-low range for Mexico's 8 "rate bands."
* An asterisk (*) in the price-per-minute column denotes that the final price is set by retailers, and may differ from the issuer's suggested or tariffed price shown here.
CARD PRICES: A range of denominations in which the card is available.
EXPIRATION DATE: A length of time after which the card can no longer be used. Some cards are activated when purchased, others activate when you place your first call, and others carry a printed expiration date.
OTHER
24-HOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE: Indicates companies that provide live operators around the clock, seven days per week. Customer service numbers are usually printed on the back of the cards.
RECHARGEABLE: More calling time can be added to the card by telephone, using a credit card.
HIGHER RATE FOR FIRST MINUTE: Some cards charge more for the first minute on international calls to certain countries.
AVAILABLE BY MAIL: Card can be ordered by phone and mailed to you. In most cases, you must use a credit card. (Shipping may be additional.)
WORKS FROM ABROAD: A few prepaid phone cards can be used to place calls originating outside the U.S.
| CardName / USA Rates |
International Rates | Card Prices | Expiration Date | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven Prepaid Phone Card/ 29¢-40¢ |
China: $2.22-$3.19 Mexico: 83¢-$1.19 Philippines:$1.39-$1.99 |
$5.99-$49.99 | 15 mos. from activation | 24-hour customer service. Not rechargeable. Available at most 7-Eleven stores nationwide. |
| AAdvantage Prepaid Phone Card/ 37.5¢ |
China: $3 Mexico: $1.13 Philippines $1.87 |
$45-$90 | 15 mos. | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. Earns frequent flyer miles on American Airlines. Available by mail: (800) PRE-PAID. |
| ACMI/ 25¢ |
China: $2.93 Mexico: $1.60 Philippines: $1.97 |
$20-$100 | None | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. Available by mail: (800) 860-8641. (Postage or shipping will be additional.) |
| AmeriVox/ 33¢ |
China: $2.86 Mexico: 41¢-$1.95 Philippines: $1.97 |
$20 | 1 yr. | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. Available from AmeriVox representatives: call (800) 827-6299. |
| Asia Direct/ 27¢ |
China: $1.29 Mexico: $1.05-$2.45 Philippines: 99¢ |
$10-$40 | 1 yr. from activation | 24-hour customer service. Not rechargeable. Available by mail: Call (800) 455-8355 for an application. |
| AT&T Global Prepaid/ 25¢ |
China: $2.25 Mexico: $1.75 Philippines: $1.50 |
$20-$60 | None | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. Available by mail: (800) 569-2018 (shipping $5.75). Works from abroad to U.S. |
| AT&T Prepaid Card/ 35¢ |
China: 5 units Mexico: 3 units Philippines: 5 units |
$5.25-$75 | None | One unit = one domestic minute. 24-hour customer service. Not rechargeable. Available by mail: (800) 368-5500. (Shipping: $3.50-$6.) |
| Cable & Wireless Inc./ 35¢ |
China; $2.45 Mexico: $2.45 Philippines: $2.10 |
$3-$50 | 1 yr. from issue date | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. Available by mail: Call (800) 455-8355 for an application. |
| Communicard/ 33¢ |
China: $2.35 Mexico: 79¢-99¢ Philippines: $1.59> |
$5-$100 | None | Rechargeable ($10 minimum). Available by mail: (800) 931-3535. |
| Conquest CQ Talk!/ 25¢-33¢ |
China: $2 Mexico: 75¢-99¢ Philippines: $1.25 |
$5-$50 | 1 yr. from activation | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. Works from abroad to U.S. |
| Econophone Gemlink/ 19¢ |
China: $1.11 Mexico: 33¢-$1 Philippines: $1 |
$5-$100 | None | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. Available by mail: (800) 349-0009. |
| F/X Phone Card/ 24¢ |
China: $1.05 Mexico: 29¢-79¢ Philippines: 77¢ |
$5-$50 | 6 mos. from activation | 24-hour customer service. Not rechargeable. |
| Frontier Call Time/ 40¢ |
China: 80¢ Mexico: 80¢ Philippines: 80¢ |
$5.95-$50 | Cards show date | 24-hour customer service. Not rechargeable. Available by mail: (800) 375-3133. |
| GTE Prepaid Phone Card/ 33¢ |
China: $4 Mexico: $1.80 Philippines: $3 |
$10-$50 | 180 days from 1st call | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. |
| International Long Distance/ 14¢ |
China: $1.35 Mexico: 55¢ Philippines: 84¢ |
$25-$75 | None | Rechargeable. Available by mail: (888) ILD-4YOU ($1.99 shipping). |
| LCI/ 25¢ |
China: $1.75 Mexico: 75¢-$1.00 Philippines: $1.25 |
$20-$200 | 1 yr. | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. Available by mail: (800) 800-8285 (plus $1 shipping charge). |
| LDDS World Com Phone Pass/ 25¢-30¢* |
China: 8 units Mexico: 4 units Philippines: 5 units |
See Other column | 1 yr. from 1st call | Sold by minutes (one domestic minute = one unit). 24-hour customer service. Usually not rechargeable. Works for calls to U.S. from many countries. (Mexico is excluded.) |
| Liberty Prepaid Calling Card/ 33¢ |
China: $1.89 Mexico: 98¢ (Band 7) Philippines: $1.39 |
$5-$50 | None | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. |
| Matrix/ 33¢ |
China: $2.65 Mexico: $1.65 Philippines: $2.31 |
$10-$50 | None | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. Available by mail: (800) 282-0242. |
| MCI Prepaid Calling Card/ Up to 45¢* |
China: 8 units Mexico: 3 units Philippines: 5 units |
See Other column | 15 mos. from activation | Sold by units (one unit = one domestic minute). 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. Works from abroad to U.S. |
| Pacific Bell/ 40¢ |
China: $1 Mexico: $1 Philippines: $1.50 |
$5-$50 | 18 mos. | 24-hour customer service. Some Pacific Bell cards are rechargeable. |
| PhonLynx/ 23¢ |
China: $1.49 Mexico: 49¢-$1.29 Philippines: $1.29 |
$5-$20 | 1 yr. from activation | Rechargeable. Available by mail: (800 231-0800). |
| SmartTalk TeleServices Card/ 30¢* |
China: 28 units Mexico: 2-5 units Philippines: 6 units |
See Other | 6 mos. from 1st call | Sold by minutes (one domestic minute = one unit). 24-hour customer service. Cards are rechargeable at a rate of 35¢ per minute. |
| Sprint Spree Card/ 29¢-33¢ |
China: $2.95 Mexico: $1.18 Philippines: $2.95 |
$5-$50 | Cards show date | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. |
| Talk N Toss/ 24¢-33¢ |
China: $4.54 Mexico: $1.65 Philippines: $2.13 |
$10-$100 | 6 mos. from 1st call | 24-hour customer service. Some Talk N Toss cards are rechargeable. |
| Target Hotline Prepaid Card/ 22¢-27¢ |
China: 8 units Mexico: 4 units Philippines: 5 units |
$7.99-$21.99 | 3 yrs. from last call | One unit = one domestic minute. 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable. Available at most Target stores nationwide. |
| Tele-Tiempo/ 25¢ |
China: $1.59 Mexico: 69¢ Philippines: $1.29 |
$5-$20 | Cards show date | 24-hour customer service. Not rechargeable. Sold nationwide in Spanish-speaking communities. |
| TransNational/ 25¢ |
Domestic use only | $15-$50 | 6 mos. from 1st call | 24-hour customer service. Not rechargeable. Available by mail: (800) 653-2669. |
| UNI-Net and UNI-Pass/ 18.5¢ |
China: $1.24 Mexico: 71¢-$6.69 Philippines: 82¢ |
$5-$20 | 1 yr. from 1st call | Two-minute per-call minimum charge. Company has rechargeable card with no minimum; available by mail: (800) 346-1077. |
| Wal Mart-MCI Prepaid Phone Card/ 25¢ |
China: $2.75 Mexico: $1.25 Philippines: $1.50 |
$9.94 & $19.84 | 15 mos. from activation | 24-hour customer service. Not rechargeable. Can be used to call from overseas to U.S. |
| Walgreens Phone Card Plus/ 29¢-40¢ |
China: $2.80 Mexico: $1.40 Philippines: $2 |
$5.99-$34.99 | 1 yr. from purchase | 24-hour customer service. Rechargeable (except $5.99 card). In-store recharges receive 20% bonus minutes. |
| Western Union/ 29¢-35¢ |
China: $2.99 Mexico: 99¢ Philippines: $2.99 |
$10-$50 | 1 yr. from activation | 24-hour customer service. Not rechargeable. For local retail outlets, call (800) 374-0909. |
| World Bell/ 25¢-33¢ |
China: $1.40 Mexico: 89¢ and up Philippines: 89¢ |
$10 | None | Rechargeable. Available by mail: (800) 246-4210. Rate on first $10 card is 33¢ per minute; 25¢ per minute when recharged. |
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