Phone Cards/Calling Cards
A Phonecard is usually a plastic card similar in size to a credit card. It allows the user to make long distance telephone calls generally at a much cheaper rate than a traditional calling card. Almost every convenience store and service station in the USA sells them, and they're also found in most drug stores, airports, and convention centers. Even the U.S. Post Offices carry the "First Class" phonecards (though their rates are not very competitive with the many other phone cards available).
Remember though, phone cards are usually not to be used from your own home or business phone because often it's more expensive than regular "1+" dialing. They usually become more cost-effective when used away from your own home or business. They are Perfect for most travelers and college students, and from most hotel rooms or payphones. Be sure to look at the small print to check
* Is there a connection fee?
* Is there a minimum number of minutes that you're charged?
* Are the minutes rounded up?
* Is there a monthly service fee or "decrement" charge?
* How long is the expiration date?
Some phonecard issuers follow foreign traditions of "Chip Cards" (an electronic chip is embedded in the card), or "magnetic stripe" (a built-in information stripe or area on the card), or "optical cards" (read with laser beam technology). These technologies store the amount of time the caller is allowed to speak ... and they're stored right on the card itself (which means that the card must be inserted into a telephone capable of reading the card). Many people refer to these "chip" cards as "smart" cards, but they really aren't that smart. They can't do surveys, nor do they offer many other interactive features or programs that the "remote" cards can offer. The advantage of mag-stripe cards, is that they can be activated at the point-of-sale. Sometimes both technologies are used for one card; there's a considerable advantage of having point-of-sale activation, and then a PIN number for remote access.
So, the most prevalent phonecards in the United States use a "remote memory" (the information is stored on some remote computer). The computer is usually accessed by a toll-free (800) or (888) or (877) number printed on the card. The computer prompts the user to enter their PIN number (also usually printed on the card). This unique PIN number identifies how much time is left on the card, and then prompts the user to enter the area code and phone number they wish to call. The card works from just about every push-button (true-tone) phone in the USA. And when the time runs out, you're cut-off in mid-word. (Most phone cards allow you to "recharge" or "refresh" or "add more time" to your PIN number through your MasterCard or VISA).
Phonecards are used as promotional give-aways, marketing incentives, charity fundraisers, or just functional "user" utility cards. Companies who have employed them include such prestigious names as IBM, Xerox, New York Life, Sears, Hewlett-Packard, Coca-Cola, Disney, McDonald's, and hundreds of others.
Some phone cards have interactive capabilities that allow you to access the latest message from the Pope, for example, or a specific song from a particular musician. Some will direct your call to a specific service, or maybe to a product or survey or promotion. There are literally thousands of potential functions.