Prepaid Phone Cards Key Terms

Understand terms used when dealing with prepaid phone card companies and offers

By Rhyah Fletcher

Prepaid phone cards are ideal for people who don't have long distance service or don't utilize long distance services often. Phone cards are also great for people who travel a lot and don't want to pay hotel fees for making long distance calls. Businesses are starting to use prepaid phone cards for promotions and employee incentives. Before purchasing a prepaid phone card, businesses and individuals should become familiar with common terms used in the prepaid phone card industry.

PIN number

Prepaid calling cards utilize a PIN, or personal identification number, for customers to access the services. These are especially popular with virtual calling cards that email you the PIN number. This way you don't need to carry a physical calling card, but rather just dial into the prepaid calling service, enter your PIN and make the call.
Try: Learn more about phone card PIN numbers from MyNetOne.com.

International phone cards

International phone cards usually offer special rates or have deals for people making international calls. International calls consist of calls from the U.S. to another country.
Try: AT&T offers a rate finder for international phone cards.

Wholesale prepaid cards

Wholesale prepaid cards are for individuals or businesses that spend more than a predetermined amount per month on phone cards. For example, a company may offer wholesale cards for anyone buying more than $500 per month.
Try: SpeedyPin.com offers a nice discount program for buyers needing phone cards in bulk or for large amounts.

Rechargeable card

This term refers to the fact that a customer can keep the same PIN and just add more minutes as needed. Many rechargeable cards have online recharging options. All of them have a phone number where customers can add more time. Some do have expiration dates, but it still lets customers use the same PIN for an extended period.
Try: PhoneCardsMart explains rechargeable phone cards and offers different vendors of the card.

Custom prepaid phone card

Custom prepaid phone cards are specifically for businesses or individuals that want to promote their company. They can be used for advertisements or as thank you gifts to employees or clients. A custom phone card can have your company logo, name and contact information. Cards can also have custom messages that play every time a person uses the card.
Try: Find samples of customphonecard.com and get ideas for your card.

Billing increments or call rounding

When shopping for prepaid phone cards, you may come across terms such as call rounding, rounding or billing increments. This refers to how companies bill the minutes used on the card. Most cards use one minute rounding, but there are cards that use three minute rounding.
Try: Zaptel has a list of prepaid phone card terms and explains call rounding.