Poll: Best phone cards for calling the UK or US!

just curious....do you guys prefer phone cards over skype?  or prefer phone cards for the convenience of being anywhere in the UK and being able to call from any phone vs. your pc? 

i just wonder because i think that skype is so much cheaper to use than phone cards.  especially if the majority of people you are calling are in the same area code (in the US).  you can call them, tell them to call you back on your local number, and it's free for them (assuming they are in the same area code as your skype number), and for you (granted...you have to pay the $35...or there about...for the line rental for the year...but it's well worth it if you ask me...and way cheaper than phone cards).

hi my husband found me a cheaper way to call back home as well,  it has a big long number  but who cares it's 2 p a min. i can call home anytime no limit on how long i talk  i can even call cell/mobile phones an its still 2 p a min. its called 18866.com. it was a god send for me cause none of my family have an international calling plan. a monthly bill for us is usually around 10 pounds sometimes cheaper depending on how much i call home. also with no connection fee or extra monthly payments either. we have been using it for a while now cud have changed for new users dont know.

when I was in the UK I used Joy Telecom to call back to the States...there is no member fee, you just dial
0844 430 1111 then 001 the area code and US phone number and it only costs   3p/minute from a land line, 4p/min from a mobile


I am still looking for the cheapest rates to call from the US to England...without signing up/paying for anything in advance or online (feel free to pm me your secrets)

I was surprised to only see one person list skype.  It has been what allows df and I to have a relationship while we are apart.  Our first phone call cost us about $300!  It didn't take long for us to decide that we needed an alternative.

Skype has been the best!  It is totally free if you both have it on your computers (free download www.skype.com).  If you want to call someone who doesn't have it on their landline, you can get 2 cent minutes for anywhere.  The only expense we had was that I had to buy a microphone for my computer.  I have heard some people talk about call quality with the early internet services, but I've had no problems.  It is actually much clearer than his phone line is.  I have tried it on a couple computers that had bad built in microphones that didn't work as well, but an inexpensive microphone or headset purchase takes care of this.

I will not go back to using calling cards!!  I love the ease and simplicity of using Skype.  I also got several of my family members who are still in the US to get on it so I can talk to them.  It works great and I'm talking a lot more to my family now than I was with my mobile phone or calling cards.

Really, you ought to give it a try!!  We are both SOOO thankful to have had a friend recommend trying Skype.

I just signed up with OneSuite, it is a much better deal for US to UK calling than 10-10-987 was.  1010987 charged $0.54 for connection, then $0.04 per minute.  OneSuite charges $0.022 per minute, with no connection fee.  I also like that you can program speed dial numbers to the account, as well as add the numbers you call from most frequently so that you do not have to enter a pin.  However, you pay more than the base rate if you call via their 800 number, rather than a local number.

gee that's even more than my regular cell phone rate (according to brochure, haven't tried it yet)

my internat rate from US to UK on T-Mobile says it is only 34 cents/minute

Only .34cents/per min?? THat's horrible! 

Only .34cents/per min?? THat's horrible! 

not compared to the 54 cents plus someone mentioned for the 10-10 number!

Only .34cents/per min?? THat's horrible! 

not compared to the 54 cents plus someone mentioned for the 10-10 number!

That is 54 cents to connect, then 4 cents per minute - I think that 34 cents per minute would work out to be a way worse deal.  As soon as you talk for 2 minutes it would be more expensive!

My dad uses onesuite in the states and loves it although you have to constantly remember to charge it up (which he never does).  So that's kind of annoying.

I have to admit I don't use anything here other than some package BT set me up on.  I've been trying to call from work (shhhh) but can't be bothered to get a real phone card/package/access code.  My coworker who's from Australia tried to give me some access code but you had to call a different number for the US and then put in all these numbers and I was like eh....I just want to pick up the phone and dial.  Sad I know....We have used yahoo messenger a few times with my parents.  They like it because it's FREE but it's a bit weird talking out loud (like on a speaker phone).  Also the connection hasn't been great.  They want to get a computer cam as well.

That is 54 cents to connect, then 4 cents per minute - I think that 34 cents per minute would work out to be a way worse deal.  As soon as you talk for 2 minutes it would be more expensive!

actually we are just using joy telecom for him to call me right now
and we set up SightSpeed video calling's free plan which allows voice and video calls, unlimited time, for FREE!

I use gorillamobile.com from the US to the UK. It is 5 cents per minute, and all you have to do is register any phone number you want to use it from. It is billed to any credit or debit card. I use it on my cell phone. It's been a great deal.

I use 08452443443 then dial the number...it's about 3p a minute and no connecting fee or monthly fee...it's supposed to be only evenings and weekends, however I've called several times during the day, and only one time has it cost more....that's from a landline.

At my moms, she just calls straight, as they were given a rate that was only supposed to be for people in Ohio (through dad's work), but since they gave it to them, they couldn't take it back...it's only 3 cents a minute, no connecting fee or monthly fee...and no number to call...well, other than the one you need to...nothing extra to dial! And that works for days, evenings, weekends...any time at all!

I have used OneTel for a number of year now, and I also use them as my ISP.  Calls to the US are 3p per min, with a 12p connection fee I think (been a while since I have used it, as Skype is free ).  However, if you buy different packages from them, or pay an extra £1 per month the call costs drop to 2p per min.

You don't have to pay for packages though, once you sign up they give you a code to punch into your phone before you dial, so call charges go to them, rather than you phone provided and they work on BT and any other phone provider.  I have noticed in the past that some were limited to BT only.

I am not sure if they have a US onetel, but I think there was an Austrailian one.

www.onetel.co.uk  if anyone is interested