Looking for better phone rates or alternative to Skype

this month I guess?  they wont change your price if you're already on a subscription I guess, you'll ok till renewal time...

or do you still see $2.99/USA on their site?
because now I only see the $5.95/One-Country option...

I clicked on Shop, then went to "pick a subscription" and this is what I see:



Image URL in case pasting it in doesn't display: http://www.flutterbydesign.org/ukystuff/skypeplans.jpg

So, looks like the $2.95 plan is still there....they're just pushing the $5.95 plan.  

Wait, I just realized why you might not be seeing the $2.95 plan....

You have to tell them you live in US/Canada. On the right where it says "pick your location" click on US/Canada. 

I know, technically you're NOT in the US, but in all honesty, Skype doesn't know that. I successfully used my Skype number from the UK for my family to call, and I called the US lots of times from the UK under the $2.95/mo plan.

I know, technically you're NOT in the US, but in all honesty, Skype doesn't know that. I successfully used my Skype number from the UK for my family to call, and I called the US lots of times from the UK under the $2.95/mo plan.

Or, if you're in the UK (selecting United Kingdom (English) at the bottom of the page), the options that come up when you select US/Canada on the Shop page are:

Unlimited US/Canada = £1.45/month (£1.67 with VAT)

Unlimited Country = £2.95/month (£3.39 with VAT)

Unlimited Worldwide = £6.95/month (£7.99 with VAT)

Or, if you're in the UK (selecting United Kingdom (English) at the bottom of the page), the options that come up when you select US/Canada on the Shop page are:

Unlimited US/Canada = £1.45/month (£1.67 with VAT)

Unlimited Country = £2.95/month (£3.39 with VAT)

Unlimited Worldwide = £6.95/month (£7.99 with VAT)

Really? I switched mine to UK and it didn't show that...

oh wait.  Switch the country at the bottom to UK and then put the region at US/Canada.  Got it.  

But if you're paying with your US Paypal account, you might need to sign up under the US pages.

I thought something like that may happen, but I noticed you were also in the UK so I thought maybe not...
..however I cannot get to that screen..
do you mind sending me the exact link? (thanks for the help!)   
I get to http://skype.com/allfeatures/subscriptions/?region=US&country=US&ver&ver=c
where I am supposed to be in the US looking at the US plan, and in US english language, but still cant access the $2.95 rate

Try this link: http://skype.com/allfeatures/subscriptions/uscanada/

I thought something like that may happen, but I noticed you were also in the UK so I thought maybe not...
..however I cannot get to that screen..
do you mind sending me the exact link? (thanks for the help!)   
I get to http://skype.com/allfeatures/subscriptions/?region=US&country=US&ver&ver=c
where I am supposed to be in the US looking at the US plan, and in US english language, but still cant access the $2.95 rate

I clicked on your link and then clicked 'US and Canada' in the list on the right and the $2.95 rate came up alongside the $5.95/$12.95 rates.

If you click 'Europe' instead, you get an additional $7.95 Europe rate. 'Asia' and 'Rest of the World' have just the $5.95/$12.95 rates, while Brazil, South Africa and India have completely different ones.

great, thanks!  that works

weird options for different combinations of regions/locations...

no more unlimited world for 9.99 since like three months ago though...
but I'm glad the US/Canada $2.95 plan is still there...

now if only they had skypephones (that work) in the US...

It's a shame they got rid of the unlimited world, but I never saw a reason for it since I could just use regular Skype credit if I needed to call a UK number. 

For U.K. to U.S. try this:

http://www.zerop.co.uk

4 pence per call, regardless of duration.

I can't figure out how they make any money.  4p per CALL?  It sounds too good to be true. 

I can't figure out how they make any money.  4p per CALL?  It sounds too good to be true. 

I've been using that service for a while now, and overall it's good value for the money. 

Downsides - All customer service is via the website only, and occasionally I'll get a poor or dropped connection, but at those prices, who cares?   Just be extravagant and spend another 4 whole pence calling back!     

I've used it as well after Paul_1966 suggested it.
I used it a couple times and it worked great.
Now I've been waiting to see where the charges will show up on the bill to confirm that it all works smoothly at 4p/call etc before going all out on it.
Looks pretty good.

Now I've been waiting to see where the charges will show up on the bill to confirm that it all works smoothly at 4p/call etc

I forgot to add that the website can be a little flaky sometimes (it appears to be hosted in Turkey), but since March I've had no problems at all on the actual billing amounts.

By the way, calls to the U.S. via 1301 are often routed around Europe, which with common-channel signaling means that you'll sometimes hear a European ringback signal rather than American - Just so that it doesn't come as a surprise!

I forwarded the link to my UK boyfriend yesterday and he just called me using zerop.  It was a very clear connection.  Thanks for the information.