Common Problems with Phone Cards

Most frequent gripes about phone cards

There are a number of possible problems that can arise concerning the use of phone cards. Some are due to manufacturer error and misdirection, while others are due to customer misunderstanding or unreasonably high expectations. Convoluted fee structures that raise the per-minute rate above the published rate can be a concern - but one solution is to simply buy reliable no-fee cards or to find cards with connection fees that have all charges clearly spelled out, depending on the type of calling that you are doing most often.

Other customer complaints about prepaid phone cards include access numbers that are inactive or periodically unreachable, card issuers abruptly halting operations (i.e. going bankrupt or otherwise closing-up shop and leaving customers high and dry), charges posted to the card account even when your call remains unconnected, and poor quality connections.

This last one bears the most mention. Although consolidation in the phone card marketplace has reduced the number of companies and improved the level of service, poor quality connections occasionally plague the users of phone cards. This problem is often associated with the location to which the call is directed. It’s worth noting that this isn’t necessarily the fault of the card issuer, however. There are parts of the world where telephone systems are simply not as advanced as those we have become accustomed to in the West. If you are calling to such an area, you may experience static, echoing, or other problems with the call. Or, in some cases, the connection will sound just fine. This can be frustrating, but remember, you can’t always blame the card company.

The best way to avoid common frustrations with phone cards is to learn about the fee structures and to ensure that you use the right type of phone card for the right situation. Also, once you have found phone cards that suit your needs and have acceptable rates, it is often easiest to continue using the same brand of card, thereby avoiding the risk of experiencing some of the other issues mentioned here. After all, if it isn’t broke, why fix it?