Beware of prepaid long distance cards

[KitchenWitch]

Apparently, depending upon the company, they can expire...even if they have never been used.

[Ariana Celeste]

1. That's usually with the cheap ones

Some also will also charge a little bit after a period of time, for nothing. And some charge up the ass if you use it on a payphone.

I have one that my dad bought me, from Costco. It's 2.98 cents per minute, no expiration, and I can add time to it anytime with a credit card. Since I rarely make long distance calls, but sit on the phone for an hour or two when I do- this phone card is a much better option for me than paying for long distance. :)

[KitchenWitch]

2. Mine was not really one of the cheap ones

It was from a large company that was forced to split up in the 1980s, and has since been able to revest itself into the smaller companies it was forced to divest itself of back then...

:grr:

I did get it reactivated, although the CSR was not going to reactivate it for me, because of the "terms" in the tiny ass print.

[Ariana Celeste]

3. Well that blows

I don't have experience with a ton of good phone cards... but definitely check out the ones at Costco if you shop there- I don't know where else they are sold, you might even be able to buy one online, but they are MCI phone cards. Mine says on the back that it expires 24 months after the first call, but I believe the expiration date changes every time you add money to the card because I've had this card longer than 2 years. Anywho, sorry your phone card sucked. :(

[KitchenWitch]

4. It is okay

I pushed my weight around a bit and got the CSR to reactivate it.

[Fla Dem]

5. MCI's the best,,,4cents a minute

Rechargable at that rate. They do expire, but I'm always adding minutes, so it's no concern, because the expiration date is advanced each time you add minutes. Much cheaper than paying a monthly fee on your telephone bill for Long Distance. I only carry basis service for local calls. Use my card for all my long distance.

[Fla Dem]

6. self delete..dup n/t

[nini]

7. http://callingcard.com/

no expirations and great rates.

I've used them about 4 or 5 times now with no complaints.

[KitchenWitch]

8. Thanks for the info

As soon as I use up the one I got reactivated today, I will be looking them up!

[Hibernias Daughter]

9. Well that sucks

Although I would think it should be in writing to be legal. For example I just renewed 1000 minutes over the phone at $29.99. They said nothing about an expiration date so I hope I'm ok. :shrug:

Kind of off subject but...

You never know. There was a PBS Frontline program last night that talked about how bad the public is being screwed by credit card companies. And they had this weasly looking guy on there admitting to some of the tricks and loopholes he's showed these companies. They also had a Harvard Law Professor who specializes in Contract Law who commented that even SHE didn't "get" what they hell they were talking about on some of those small print credit card card contracts you sign.