Research local and international rates from calling card services You can buy a calling card at most news stands and stores. But they are not all created equal. To get the most out of your company's dollar, check rates for the countries you'll be calling from or to most frequently.

I recommend:  AccuLinQ Travel Cards offers long distance calling cards with low international rates. Check the phone number you're calling online to get an exact rate. Banana Call compares rates so you can buy the best calling card for your business. Select the country you're calling from and to.

Read the back of the calling card for simple step-by-step instructions When using phone calling cards, have your PIN ready. Some cards require you to scratch the back with a coin to reveal the PIN. Others email the PIN directly to you. Call the toll-free number on the back of the card, then enter your card number and PIN. Listen for a recorded voice to tell you to dial the phone number, including area code. The voice will also tell you how many minutes you have remaining on the card. International phone cards operate in much the same manner.

I recommend:  IsCard is one of a handful of calling card providers that focus solely on international calls. They service more than 50 countries. Fill out an online application and once approved, your PIN will be emailed to you. SpeedyPin.com also emails you the PIN number, which you can give out to all employees who will be using the calling card.

Be on the lookout for telephone calling card companies that charge extra fees Some domestic and international phone cards include connection and maintenance fees, along with usage, taxes and surcharges. They are seemingly small fees, but add up to be quite a bit. Check the terms and conditions online.

I recommend:  Buy a pre-paid and post-paid business calling card from Affinity Telecom if travelling internationally. There are no sign-up or monthly fees and no minimum usage. There is a surcharge for calls in the USA but not when calling outside the USA. LD Post has a OfficeAnywhere program that forwards your customers' calls to you, no matter where you are in the world. But it's important to note that there is a monthly fee and a set-up fee.

Get the most out of calling cards Determine what your exact calling needs are and how your business can benefit from using calling cards.

I recommend:  Learn how to buy, use and recharge calling cards with the Flash tutorial at CallingCards.com, which also offers a range of calling solutions for small and mid-sized businesses, including bulk purchasing and promotional printing.

Shop for promotions Be on the lookout for cheap calling cards for both corporate and individual use.

I recommend:  At Nobel.com, if you refer friends, you can receive free calling cards. CallingCards.com offers 10 free global minutes if you take the time to fill out an online form. If you plan on providing corporate clients with calling cards, CorporatePhoneCards.com can customize the card for you to help increase brand recognition.

Research rates for international & long distance calls If you only plan on making infrequent calls outside the United States, it’s often cheaper to purchase international and long distance calling cards than to add those services to your monthly landline bill.

I recommend:  For the best values on international calling cards, seek guidance from companies like SpeedyPin, Webstel and NobelCom, which all offer location- to-location rate calculators on their sites. IDT also provides a chart listing its competitive international rates and access numbers for calls made to anywhere in the world.

Treat your calling cards like they are money Because calling cards are issued on a pre-paid basis, treat them as you would money or a bank card in an effort to keep them safe.

I recommend:  Sites like GCI and Consolidated Communications offer tips on how to protect your cards and what to do should your calling cards become lost or stolen or you suspect telephony fraud. The Office of Information Technology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst also offers a list of rules to follow to minimize risk.

Choose calling card services that offer business clients a personal touch Many calling card companies have personalized services. For example, some companies include long distance calling cards as a no-cost addition to your business telephone service.

I recommend:  Easton Telecom Services offers personalized calling card services and allows you to login online to view your eBill. Easton gives long distance customers free calling cards, including international phone cards, to make your business run smoothly when you're on the road. Banana Call customizes plans that fit your company the best. Search for phone card rates before buying.

Get the best business calling cards for the country you call the most International phone cards vary as much as the company that sells them. There are no two alike, so it pays off to do your research. Most calling card providers have searchable databases that allow you to find the current per minute rate to a number of countries, so you can make an informed decision before buying.

I recommend:  Select a country from the list at callingcards.com. The rates will pop up for two categories--calling to and calling from the country. Sort the table by minutes, price, connection fees or card names. Comfi.com connects you to cards that offer the cheapest rates for the most popular calling card destinations.

Register for calling card services billed directly to your company credit card Business calling cards don't have to operate like any other calling card you buy at the local convenience store. As a smart business owner, you shouldn't pay for unused minutes. Instead, go with a plan that bills you monthly so you never run out of minutes.

I recommend:  GlobalPhone Corporation offers GlobalPostpaid, a discounted calling card that only charges you for the minutes you use. You don't have to recharge the calling card or add more minutes when you run out. The company charges your credit card every month for minutes used. Sign up for a new account online. AccuLinQ Travel Cards offers local and long distance calling at cheap rates, billed to your credit card every month.