Updates from July, 2010

  • Phone Card Features: Call History

    Bob 7:14 am on July 11, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , ,

    A few premium on-line phone cards offer a call history feature. With call history, callers can view charges, duration and destinations for all calls made on their phone card. This is a nice feature to say the least, especially for those phone card users who have wondered where all of those minutes went. Not all phone cards come with a call history feature. Those that have call history provide users with an on-line account where they can log-in and view the details of each call made on their account in real time. We know that the following international phone cards come with the call history feature. These cards are marketed by Phone Cards International and the details for each card can be viewed on their website.

    • Hello from UK – A phone card with great rates for those who call to and from the UK. It features toll free access in the UK, USA and Canada. It also has local access numbers in 14 UK cities.
    • Continental Phone Card – A great all around international phone card that can be used from over 60 countries.
    • Golden Lotus – An international phone card with great rates to India and other countries in Asia. It can be used from 25 countries.
    • Marachi – A super phone card for those who want to make calls to or from Mexico and other countries in Latin America.
    • Simply – An international phone card with great rates to most destinations from the USA and Canada.

    Another premium on-line prepaid calling product that includes call history is the Tel3Advantage Flex Plan. It is a super on-line calling card that can be used to make cheap international calls from the USA and Canada. It can be used to make calls from any phone. It is also very easy to use and has no hidden fees and comes complete with a full range of features. Visit cheap international calling for more information on Tel3Advantage and other products that can be used to make cheap international phone calls.

     

  • Are International Phone Cards the Answer?

    Bob 7:00 am on June 26, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , international calling, , ,

    If you are planning to travel to Europe or other international destinations this summer than prepaid phone cards may be the answer to your communication needs. Many people plan to use an international cell phone to keep in touch but those who check the rates offered by their carrier find the cost is far too high. Why pay dollars per-minute for calls when high quality international phone cards offer rates of just a few cents per-minute? International cell phones are fine for emergency but the rates charged for international calls are simply to high for every day use. People who want to save money should purchase prepaid phone cards that will work from the countries they plan to visit. These can be conveniently purchased and recharged through an on-line account from any location where the INTERNET is available. Phone cards are low cost and convenient to use since they can be used from almost any telephone. There may be some restrictions or extra charges in some countries so read the fine print before making a purchase. The answer is that travelers who make frequent international calls with phone cards will save a lot compared to those who make the same calls with international cell phones.

     

  • World Cup Sweepstakes - Win Free International Calls

    Bob 10:05 am on June 19, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , weepstakes, world cup

    Tel3Advantage started their World Cup Sweepstakes today. It is Free to enter and First Prize Winners (9 people) will be able to make free international phone calls to the country of their choice through the end of the year using Tel3Advantage. It is easy to enter and there is no obligation, just visit Tel3Advantage World Cup Sweepstakes and choose your favorite country. The sweepstakes runs from June 11th through July 11, 2010.

    There will be nine first place winners and each will be able to make Free International calls to the country they choose through the end of 2010. Also, the cost of all calls to the country with the most votes will be reduced by 10% during the month of August. You do not need a Tel3Advantage account to enter so the contest is open to everyone.

    The Tel3Advantage Flex plan is one of the most popular prepaid calling plans in North America. It can be used to make cheap domestic and international long distance calls using any phone in the USA and Canada. It is free to open and maintain an account and there is no contract or obligation. Just prepaid an amount ranging from $10 to $100 and start making calls. Tel3Advantage features excellent customer service and call quality. It is the only company in the industry with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

     

  • How to Make Cheap International Calls from Canada

    Bob 1:38 pm on March 27, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
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    There are a variety of products for making cheap international calls from Canada. These vary from those that can be used from any phone, like phone cards, to those that require an INTERNET connection like PC-to-Phone or VOIP. Although, in many case, INTERNET based products offer good value, they also require the user to have access to the INTERNET. In many cases they also require the user to pay a monthly fee for services even if no international calls are made. That is why many international callers are still using high quality phone cards and other prepaid calling products that can be used from standard or mobile phones to make international calls from Canada. Many of these products offer high quality, low cost and ultimate flexibility.

    One product that is gaining popularity for making international calls from Canada is Tel3Advantage. It was introduced in Canada a couple of years ago and has steadily gained popularity among those people who make frequent international calls. Tel3 offers the highest call quality and some of the lowest rates. It is also one product that can be used from multiple phones (home, business or mobiles) and it is very convenient to use. They provide callers with an on-line account where they can track usage and make changes to their accounts. They also provide 24/7 customer service. It is also one of the only companies in the industry that has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

    Tel3Advantage offers some of the lowest rates and they do not charge a monthly fee for maintaining an account. They also do not charge hidden fees to make up for low rates which is common practice in the phone card industry. Tel3 offers some of the cheapes rates in the industry on international calls. For example, international calls from Canada to the Australia are only 1.4 cents per minute while calls to the USA are only 0.9 cents per minute with Tel3. These rates are good for the first 30 days if a new customer opens an account using the Tel3Advantage Triple Bonus offer. Tel3 makes these offers to entice people to try their service because they know that most customers will continue to use the service beyond the bonus period. Tel3Advantage is one of the most popular prepaid calling plans in North America because they offer high quality, low rates and some of the best customer service in the industry.

     

  • Stay Connected with PC-to-Phone Service

    Bob 9:28 am on January 30, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , internet phone, , pc, pc phone, ,

    If you make international business trips and carry a laptop computer than PC-to-Phone service is a great way to stay connected while on the road. As long as you have an INTERNET connection, you can make cheap international calls from any location to other computers or to any phone in the world. Calls to other computers using the same PC-to-Phone software are often Free while there is a charge for placing calls to phones (landlines or cell phones). The rates vary depending on the country and the type of phone called but rates are much lower than those charged by international hotels or long distance carriers. PC-to-Phone service is also popular with students, expats and people who operate small businesses with an international focus.

    PC-to-Phone service providers continue to add new features that make their product more flexible and convenient to use. For example, Skype, one of the most popular PC-to-Phone service providers, offers free calls to other Skype users and the following added features.

    • Low rates on calls to landlines and cell phones.
    • An online phone number so people can reach you on Skype from any phone.
    • The ability to send text messages from Skype.
    • A built in Voice Mail feature so calls are never missed.
    • Call forwarding that forwards incoming calls to a regular phone when the user is off-line.
    • Mobile applications so Skype can be used from Mobile Phones.

    Skype has continued to innovate and add features in order to broaden the appeal of their service.

    We think Skype is a great option for people who want to make free calls to other Skype users. However, Skype’s international rates on calls to landlines and cell phones are not as low as other cheap international calling options. In addition to a per-minute charge for each call, Skype also charges a connection fee for each call made to a land-line or cell phone. In order to evaluate the relative cost of making international calls to landlines or cell phones with Skype, we compared the international rates charged by Skype to those charged by Tel3Advantage for the same call from the USA. Tel3Advantage was selected for this comparison since it is a high quality prepaid calling plan that can be used to make low cost domestic or international long distance calls from any phone without changing companies and it is very popular with those who make frequent international calls from the USA or Canada.

    We compared Skype published rates (excluding their connection fee) to those charged by Tel3Advantage to the following popular destinations.

    A Comparison of International Rates* (US cents per-minute)
    Destinations

    Skype

    Tel3Advantage
         
    Afghanistan

    40.8

    22
    Brazil

    6.4

    3.6
    Mexico

    11.4

    6
    Morocco

    29.6

    17.5
    Nigeria

    18.5

    13.5
    Philippines

    22.8

    10.5
    Saudi Arabia

    28.2

    10.5
    Thailand

    13

    1.5

    *For calls originating in the USA – Rates posted on the respective company websites on January 23, 2010.

    In general, it seems that rates charged by Skype on calls to landlines and cell phones are higher than those charged by prepaid long distance providers. This makes sense since they do not make money of the free Skype-to-Skype calls they provide or the free software people can download from their website. They do provide a high quality niche service that is ideal for a segment of the market but it is not the best option for everyone.

     

  • Rates on International Calls to Mobile Phones

    Bob 6:20 pm on January 27, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , ,

    In many cases, the rates charged on international calls to mobile phones are substantially higher than the rate charged for the same call to a land-line. Therefore, when making international calls, callers should take care and read the fine print so they fully understand the rate charged for making a call to the type of phone they plan to call or they may receive an unpleasant surprise. In most cases, rates on international calls to mobile phones are higher than they are for calls to landlines but this is not always the case. The rate difference varies between countries and service providers so it is best to shop around in order to find the lowest cost product for making calls to the country and type of phone you wish to call.

    We did some research on this topic by comparing the rates charged by Tel3Advantage, a popular prepaid calling plan, on international calls to mobile phones and landlines in various countries. We found there were some regional patterns to the data but no consistent rules. The following is a summary of our key observations.

    • The rate charged on calls to mobile phones is substantially higher than they would be for the same call to a land-line. This seemed to be a typical pattern. Especially for international calls made to countries located in Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East. However, there were exceptions so callers should check the countries they wish to call before making any conclusions. Some popular locations where the rates charged on international calls to mobile phones are significantly higher than they are to landlines: Brazil, France, Italy, Mexico and the UK. For example, a call to a mobile phone in Italy from the USA costs 14.7 cents per-minute while a call to a land-line costs 1.8 cents per-minute.
    • In some cases, the rate charged on calls to mobile phones were the same as those charged to landlines. Many of these locations were in Asia but there were many exceptions. We discovered the following popular destinations: Bermuda, China, India and Thailand.
    • We also found cases where international calls to mobile phones where cheaper than calls to landlines. This is true on calls to the following popular destinations: Cuba, Egypt, Hong Kong, Singapore, Syria and Uzbekistan. In most cases, the difference in cost is small. For example, the rate charged for an international call to a mobile phone in Egypt is 9.4 cents per-minute while the charge for the same call to a land-line is 9.8 cents.

    International callers should shop around for the best deal when deciding on a product to use for making cheap international calls. They should recognize that rates can vary significantly between countries and the type of phone they wish to call. It may be prudent to use one product for making calls to cell phones and another product to make calls to landlines. There are a wide selection of phone cards and other prepaid calling products to choose from so most callers can find substantial savings by shopping for the product that best fits their needs.

     

  • How to Make Cheap Calls to UK Mobile Phones

    Bob 9:32 am on December 19, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
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    The UK is one of the most popular calling destinations from the USA and Canada. It is also one of the lowest cost destinataions. It is relatively easy to find an international prepaid calling plan or high quality phone card with rates of 1 or 2 cents per-minute on calls from North America to UK land-lines but cell phones are another mater. Typical rates on calls to UK cell phones range from 10 cents per-minute to 25 cents per-minute or more. Even Vonage World, which boasts free calls to the UK, lists a 28 cent per-minute rate on calls to UK cell phones. Not exactly free, especially when one adds in taxes and other fees.

    We have done some research and found that there are some options for making cheap calls to UK cell phones. It appears that the best options involve the use of prepaid phone cards or other prepaid calling products. One option is Tel3Advantage which charges only 10.5 cents per-minute (triple promo rate) on calls from the USA or Canada to cell phones in the UK. Tel3advantage does not charge added fees or taxes so this is an all inclusive rate if a local access number is used to place the call. Another good option is the Simply international phone card. It lists a rate of 11.4 cents per-minute but it does charge service and maintenance fees so all costs should be taken into account when making a decision.

    These are both good options for making cheap calls to UK cell phones which could save callers a significant amount of money over the holiday season.

     

  • How to Call the USA from France

    Bob 8:14 am on November 26, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , france, , , , , , , usa,

    Making international phone calls from France or other European countries to the USA has never been easier or cheaper. As consumer prices continue to climb the cost of making international phone calls continue to drop. This is the result of increased competition and advances in technology. It is now possible to make free international calls using PC-to-Phone service or other INTERNET based technologies like VoIP phone service from nearly any location in the world.

    The advent of the INTERNET has no doubt had an impact on international calling rates but, even without competition from the INTERNET, the cost of making international phone calls has been dropping. This has been partially due to improvements in technology but a major factor has been industry deregulation which has dramatically increased competition by allowing new companies to enter the market. There is now a wide variety of international phone cards that can be used to make cheap calls from home, business or cell phones in more than 230 countries. The quality and convenience of these prepaid products have continued to improve as the cost continues to decline.

    Another interesting product that can be used to make cheap international calls from nearly any location in the world is international callback. By using international callback phone service, cheap international calls can be made from any country by routing the phone call through a low cost third country. This can save international callers in some countries a lot of money. Especially those countries that keep artificially high international rates by not allowing competition. There are still many countries that route international calls through local, monopoly phone companies and international rates from these countries can be extremely high. International callback is a great way to save money when making calls from these countries.

    Making cheap calls from France and the rest of Europe is easy because the market is mostly deregulated and there are many products to choose from. We especially like prepaid phone cards because they offer good value and ultimate convenience. They can be used while traveling to make calls from land-lines or cell phones and can be used to make cheap calls from hotels. Another option is PC-to-Phone service if a high speed INTERNET connection is available. There are many options for making cheap international calls these days, the best and cheapest option typically depends on the technology available to the user and the location where the caller expects to use the products.

     

  • Tel3Advantage Thanksgiving Promotion - Double the Free Minutes

    Bob 12:13 pm on November 19, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
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    Tel3 announced a special Thanksgiving new customer promotion today that will last through November 30, 2009. During this promo new customers who sign-up for the Tel3Advantage Flex Plan will get double the normal sign-up bonus. So people who sign-up and deposit as little as $10 will have from $2 to $18 added to their accounts. They can use this money to make free calls to any location in the world. Those who are interested in this promotion need to visit the following sign-up page, Tel3Advantage Promo, or call 800 441 0321 and provide the customer service rep with the event code “DOUBLE4YOU“.

    Tel3Advantage has another on-going promotion that is referred to as the Triple Bonus. new customers who sign-up under the triple bonus get a lower cash bonus but they save 30% or more on all of their calls for the first 30 days. Visit Tel3 Triple Bonus for more information or call 800 441 0321 and ask for the Triple Bonus.

    Which Tel3Advantage bonus is best for you?? The best option depends on where you plan to call and how much you plan to talk during the first 30 days. For most people the Double Bonus is the best option because they get up to $18 added to their account that can be used to make calls at any time in the future. However, the Tel3 Advantage Triple Bonus is a better option for some people. These people will get a smaller bonus (up to $9) but they save 30% or more on calls for the first 30 days. This is the best option for people who want to make long duration calls to a relatively expensive location. Study both options and choose the one that works best for you.

     

  • How to Make an International Phone Call - International Dialing Codes

    Bob 9:37 pm on November 16, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: area, calling codes, city, codes, country, dialing codes, , , ,

    A caller must use the proper international phone codes in order to place an international call. In general, the sequence of numbers used to make international calls follow a similar pattern but the exit code can vary depending on the country where the call originates. The following is an example of the dialing codes used to place an international call from the USA, Canada or other North America Dialing Plan (NANP) country.

    (011) + (country code) + (city code) + (phone number)

    The first number in the sequence (in this case 011) is commonly referred to as an exit code or international access code. It can also be called an International Direct Dialing (IDD) code. This code can vary between countries but it is necessary because it identifies the call as international.

    The following is an example of dialing an international call to Amman, Jordan from the USA.

    011 962 6 + (local phone number)

    In the above example the 011 is the IDD code. This code identifies the call as an international phone call. The proper IDD code to use depends on the country where the call originates. Visit dialing codes international for further information.

    The second three-digit number (962) in the above example is the country code for Jordan. The country code will vary depending on the country called; visit Country and City Dialing Codes for a complete list of country codes.

    The third number (6) is the city code for Amman, Jordan. The international city code is also a specific number. In the USA, this is commonly called an area code. AT&T provides one of the most comprehensive lists of city codes available. Visit Country and City Codes for more details.

    These dialing codes are followed by the local phone number.

    A similar sequence of numbers is used when a call is placed to a mobile phone located in another country. However, it should be noted that the cost for calling a mobile phone is typically much higher than making an international call to a house phone or any land line phone. Visit cheap international calling for information on saving money on international phone calls made from any location in the world.

     

  • How to Make Cheap International Calls to Mobile Phones

    Bob 8:59 am on November 14, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

    Many people want to make cheap international calls to cell phones and there are several options available today. The best or cheapest option depends on several factors so one option is not the best for every caller. Things like the location of the caller, the destination called and the type of phone the caller intends to use (land line, INTERNET or cell phone) are all important factors to consider when shopping for the international service. Most people are looking for an option that is high quality, cheap and convenient to use so we reviewed the pros and cons of a few popular options. These included two International VoIP calling plans, a PC-to-Phone service, a popular prepaid long distance phone service and a high quality phone card. The results of our review are presented below.

    Several VoIP service providers now advertise that they include free international calls to several countries with their phone service. Vonage and Lingo offer two of the most popular VoIP services. In most cases, the free calls included with these plans are to landlines not cell phones, as shown later; in most cases, international calls to cell phones are not cheap with these plans. Vonage indicates that they include free calls to 60 countries with their new Vonage World plan and Lingo advertises that free calls to 75 countries are included with their Lingo World Max service. Vonage charges around $32.60 per month (including taxes and fees) for their service and Lingo charges about $31 per month (including fees and taxes). In addition to the monthly service fees, users also need to pay for a high-speed INTERNET connection so neither service is actually free. Both calling plans also require a service contract (Lingo requires 2 years and Vonage requires 1 year) and charge an early termination fee if a customer chooses to stop using the service, so they are not a convenient option for short-term users. However, both phone services are good quality and one of them may be a good deal for those who want low cost home phone service and the ability to make frequent international calls to one or more of the countries covered by their plans.

    Skype offers a very popular personal computer based phone service. It can be used to make free PC-to-PC calls worldwide so it is very popular with students, international business travelers and expats living around the world. Skype can also be used as a PC-to-Phone service where users can make calls to landlines or cell phones from their PC but there is a fee for this service. As shown later, Skype PC-to-Phone rates are not that cheap and Skype is not a very convenient option since calls are made from a PC so we believe there are better and cheaper options for making international calls to cell phones.

    Prepaid long distance is another option so we examined the Tel3Advantage Flex Plan, which is one of the most popular prepaid plans in North America. It can be used to make cheap long distance calls from any phone (cell, home, business or pay phone) in Canada and the USA. It is a popular service for making cheap international calls because it is convenient to use, offers some of the lowest rates and does not require a monthly fee or contract.

    We wanted to compare the above options with the rates offered by a high quality phone card so we chose the Continental Phone Card. It can be used to make cheap calls from over 60 countries and is one of the most versatile phone cards on the market. It has low fees relative to other phone cards but it does charge a 15% tax (surcharge) on calls so we include this in the per-minute rates listed in the Table below. The continental card is a virtual phone card that can be used from any kind of phone. Customers get a free on-line account where they can monitor activity and make changes to their account so it is a viable long or short-term option.

    We have summarized the rates charged each minute for calls originating from the USA using the options listed above in the following table. We randomly selected a variety of popular destinations in order to compare rates to different regions of the world. Note that Tel3Advantage offers rates that are similar to phone cards on calls to cell phones in most locations while both VoIP service providers and Skype charge significantly higher rates.

    Sample Rates on Calls from the USA to Mobile Phones (US $ per Minute)  
                 
    Country Vonage1 Lingo2 Skype3 Tel34 Phone Card5  
                 
    Afghanistan $1.25 $0.72 $0.355 $0.262 $0.243  
    Australia 0.22 0.33 0.20 0.089 0.117  
    Brazil 0.17 0.30 0.213 0.19 0.205  
    China Free Free 0.021 0.018 0.025  
    Egypt 0.15 0.159 0.15 0.17 0.167  
    France 0.19 0.22 0.203 0.164 0.150  
    Germany 0.25 0.30 0.246 0.17 0.143  
    Ghana 0.20 0.24 0.166 0.185 0.171  
    Iran 0.36 0.139 0.158 0.115 0.164  
    Israel 0.17 0.089 0.136 0.089 0.093  
    Italy 0.25 0.37 0.308 0.21 0.193  
    Mexico 0.23 0.34 0.336 0.20 0.160  
    Nigeria 0.28 0.30 0.254 0.199 0.135  
    Russia 0.08 0.109 0.071 0.06 0.064  
    South Africa 0.23 0.27 0.233 0.165 0.148  
    Trinidad 0.23 0.16 0.341 0.155 0.258  
    Ukraine 0.16 0.21 0.186 0.138 0.125  
                 
    1 Vonage World , posted rates on 11/8/09    
    2 Lingo World Max, rates on 11/8/09    
    3 Skype Pay As You Go, posted rates on 11/8/09  
    4 Tel3Advantage Flex Plan, posted rates on 11/9/09  
    5 Continental Phone Card, including 15% tax.
     

  • Phone Cards are Ideal for international Travelers

    Bob 5:00 pm on November 8, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , ,

    The last thing most people think about when preparing for an international journey is a calling card but it may be one of the most useful things to bring. There are many important items to remember when packing for an international trip, like travel documents and plane tickets, but an international phone card should be high on the list. A good international phone card is useful because it can be used to make cheap international calls from nearly any kind of phone (including airport pay phones or hotel phones). A phone card can also save money. One of the first things most people want to do when they reach a foreign destination is to call friends or loved ones at home. International hotels know this and typically charge exorbitant rates for international calls. A few short international calls from a hotel room can cost as much as the room charge. That is why experienced travelers save time, hassles and money by packing a couple international phone cards before leaving home.

    Other than saving money, there are other good reasons for purchasing international phone cards before traveling. Some of these are listed below.

    • It is a great way to budget money for phone calls since phone cards are prepaid and can be purchased in small denominations.
    • There is a wide variety of virtual phone cards available on-line that can be used to make calls from nearly any country in the world. They can be used to make low cost long distance calls from pay phones in airports, hotels or nearly any major city in the world.
    • Virtual phone cards are convenient because users can access their on-line account via the INTERNET from any location. Many virtual phone cards have an on-line call history so users can view a record of the calls and charges made on their phone card or even transfer funds between cards. They can also conveniently refill their phone card from any location.
    • Virtual phone cards are safely stored in a customer’s online account so they cannot be lost or stolen.

    Remember that phone cards do not have universal coverage so check the rates and accessibility for the countries you plan to use them from before making a purchase. Some merchants, like phone cards international, allow users to transfer funds between phone cards. This can be done conveniently through a customer’s on-line account and is a nice feature for those who plan travel to multiple countries or regions of the world. In any case, purchase high quality phone cards and check to be sure they will work from the countries being visited. This is easy to do if the phone cards are purchased from a reputable on line merchant.

     

  • Virtual Phone Cards Offer Value and Features

    Bob 8:03 am on October 31, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , ,

    Most consumers know that prepaid phone cards can be used to make cheap domestic and international long distance phone calls but many do not know that they also offer a full range of features. These features make them more convenient to use and a viable option for long term savings.

    Consumers who purchase phone cards at supermarkets or convenience stores may be missing a lot of these features and may also be paying a higher rate for calls since it is very easy to shop and compare rates and features on-line. Many high quality phone card websites offer free search features which makes it very easy to find and compare phone cards from any location in the world. Phone cards can be safely purchased on-line and they are safely and conveniently stored in an on-line customer account.

    Some of the common features found with high quality virtual prepaid phone cards are listed below.

    • PIN Free dialing has become a common feature with many virtual phone cards. It allows a caller to register phone numbers so they do not need to enter a special code when making calls from a registered phone. The registered phone numbers can be conveniently edited in the customer’s on-line account.
    • Many virtual phone cards feature a permanent PIN so the code does not change each time the phone card is re-charged or purchased. These permanent PIN phone cards are typically stored in an on-line account that can be accessed by a user from any INTERNET connection.
    • Most permanent PIN phone cards also allow an optional automatic recharge function. Many users find this to be an attractive option since it assures that they will not run out of funds during a call and the card is always available for use.
    • Many virtual phone cards come with a call history feature that tracks and stores the details of each call (including location, length of call and cost). The call history can be accessed through the customer’s on-line account. This is a very handy feature that is typically included with high quality phone cards.
    • Many on-line phone cards include a Speed Dial feature. This allows the user to add phone numbers to their personal account so they can call these numbers by pressing 2 or 3 numbers on their phone. This is a convenient feature for those who plan to make international calls to the same phone numbers.
    • Some on-line merchants allow customers to transfer funds between phone cards. This is a useful feature for users who call to or from multiple locations and want to use the phone card offering the best rates.
    • Most on-line merchants have a handy search tool built into their website that allows shoppers to search for the best phone card for their needs. These search tools will list phone cards with the lowest rates for making calls to and from specific locations. In many cases they also provide phone card quality ratings and a summary of features, taxes and fees.
    • Some on-line phone cards, like the continental card, can also be used to make conference calls, international callback calls from virtually any location in the world and to set-up personal toll free numbers in the USA.

    There are virtual phone cards or prepaid calling plans like Tel3Advantage that offer many of the features listed above as well as some other not so common features. Tel3 offers a mobile plan where users can make direct-dial international phone calls from their Mobile Phones. With Tel3 Mobile, users do not need to dial an access number or PIN code when placing an international call. They simply dial the international code and their call is automatically routed over the low cost Tel3 network. Tel3 also offers a business calling plan with many on-line tools and features that are ideal for small to medium size business users. Tel3Advantage can be used to make cheap domestic and international long distance phone calls from Canada and the USA.

    Phone cards have come a long way since their introduction in the 1970’s but companies like Tel3 and others continue to introduce new features and services so the virtual phone card of tomorrow will be even more useful than it is today.

     

  • How To Pick, Pack and Perfect your Destination Wedding Dress

    Richard Black 12:18 am on September 25, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: london wedding photography, , , wedding photographer, wedding photographer London,

    by Randolph Quan

    Could it really be that easy? It’s true – looking your best in your destination wedding dress is as easy as three Ps. Pick, pack and perfect the dress, and you’ll look fabulous in your chosen wedding location.

    Picking. Often, a destination wedding dress is going to be more informal than a typical princess wedding dress. This isn’t always the case, though, especially if your “destination wedding” is being planned in your hometown that you live three to four hours away from.

    When choosing your dress for a destination wedding, take into account the climate you’re getting married in. A tropical beach wedding calls for a more casual dress in a light-weight material – after all, you don’t want sweat marks on your white dress! Choose a thin fabric such as chiffon, charmuese or organza.

    A tropical beach wedding is one of the more appropriate times to choose a sexier wedding dress, too. When the location is exotic and sexy itself, no one can fault a bride for tuning into that vibe and glamming up the sex appeal as well!

    For an even more casual look, choose something other than a full-length gown. Not only will you not have to worry about the gown dragging in the sand, it will probably be less expensive. On the other side of things, a destination wedding dress for a cooler climate requires a cover-up if you plan to spend any time outside. A complementary shawl is your best bet.

    Packing. This will be the trickiest part of the destination wedding dress debacle, but let’s make one thing clear: Do not under any circumstances check your wedding dress with your baggage on a plane. Too many people lose their luggage each year for you to risk it. Most of the time, you can carry your dress in a garment bag through security and ask a flight attendant to hang it in the first-class coat cabin. Just make sure to count it as one of your allowed carry-on bags. If you can’t be sure it can be hung by an attendant, fold the garment bag into a suitcase that will fit into the overhead cabin. It might be wrinkled when you get there, but at least it will be there.

    You can ship a wedding dress, but there are so many risks that it could be lost, damaged or stolen that it’s not really worth it. If you do decide to do this, have the bridal salon package it for you. They’re used to shipping dresses when orders are placed, so they’ll know the proper way to do it. All in all, driving the dress to the destination yourself is the safest bet. Unfortunately, for many destinations, that’s not an option.

    Perfecting. The biggest headache to contend with after successfully transporting the dress is getting the wrinkles out. If you’re lucky, you can hang the dress for 24 hours and the wrinkles will fall out. If 24 hours are a luxury you don’t have, pack a travel steamer and/or the name of a local dry cleaner who can give the dress a good pressing. Get a list of dry cleaners internationally at http://www.ifi.org.

    Finally, make sure you have all the appropriate accessories to complement your gorgeous destination wedding dress! For the traditionalists, don’t forget your something blue (or the six-pence in your shoe) and for those looking for something a bit funkier, glam up your gown with a sparkling hairpiece, colorful shoes or bold make-up.

    About the Author:
    Randolph Quan is a wedding photographer London , and advises people on the Wedding Photography Surrey at his website.
     

  • Choosing An All Inclusive Honeymoon Resort

    Pamela Kazmierczak 12:06 am on September 19, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , honeymoon, , , , , ,

    It’s the ultimate honeymoon fantasy — luxury, style and comfort. These are what you call honeymoon all-inclusive. Such packages are made by many famous resorts and honeymoon destinations worldwide. Everything’s included in the package – from the food to the transportation to the taxes and services, from welcome cocktails to tours, from the use 4 of tennis courts and equipment to a body massage. If you’ve got the money, the resources and yes, the dream to spend a week-long honeymoon with your loved one, doing nothing but lazing around in luxury and comfort, this is the way to go!

    Trying for a Jamaican honeymoon? Choose an all-inclusive honeymoon package in sunny Jamaica. There’s perfect accommodation overlooking the Caribbean Sea, along with gourmet dinners and afternoon teas. There’s a wide range of activities to choose from – yoga to sunset mediations, kayaking, sun fish sailing, and snorkeling.

    The Sandals Whitehouse All-Inclusive Resort is definitely one place to visit. It is an hour and fifteen minutes away from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. The resort consists of three European-styled villages, boasting of Dutch, Italian and French architecture. There are four swimming pools, nature trail, a spa and a fitness center. There’s also a traditional plaza one can explore, with restaurants serving Italian, Caribbean, and Asian cuisine. All rooms have a Jacuzzi and a mini bar. An all-inclusive package consists of meals, snacks, drinks, tips, water sports and land sports and scuba diving, among others.

    If you’re planning a Mexican exploration on your honeymoon, there’s the El Dorado Seaside Suites on Riviera Maya. An adults-only resort, the El Dorado Seaside is listed as one of the most romantic hotels in Forbes’ magazine. The rooms boast of Spanish Colonial-style design with elegant and spacious rooms and a view of the ocean. Guests can choose from a la carte menus offering Mexican, Asian and Italian cooking, complete with a candle-lit atmosphere and the sound of waves. Honeymooners can visit the Xcaret, a Mayan-themed ecological park just 20 minutes away from the resort. There are archeological ruins, butterfly caves and tropical birds and dolphins to explore. They can also take a day-trip ride and visit the Isla Mujeres for some island exploration.

    If you’re thinking of the sun, sand, the beach and fire, go to the Kona Village Resort in Hawaii. A once-fishing village, Kona Village Resort offers 125 Polynesian thatched-hut cottages. Here’s the catch: there are no TVs, no radios, no in-room telephones, no locks on the doors— just peace and tranquility and yes, the two of you.

    You can enjoy tennis matches, sunfish sailboats, kayaking and snorkeling. If you’d like to engage in some craft activity, join in their lei-making, coconut-leaf crafts and Hawaiian quilt-making activities. Don’t forget an exploration of Hawaii’s volcanoes at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Honeymooners can drive around the rim of the Kilauea Caldera.

    The Super Clubs Super Inclusive Resorts in Jamaica, Bahamas, Brazil, Cuba and the Dominican Republic offer extensive all-inclusive honeymoon packages. It includes accommodations, meals and late-night snacks, drinks, entertainment, land and water sports, as well as hotel taxes and airport transfers. Couples staying for six nights even get to have a free extra night!

    In picking out all-inclusive honeymoon destinations, remember that most are located in the Caribbean. Learn the packages and unless you want to have kids and families around, choose one that offers you the privacy you need.

    Pamela Kazmierczak is an expert in the wedding field. If you loved this you should check out her website today! Sign up for her free newsletter, learn more about the perfectHoneymoon or Caneel Bay – A Great Beach Resort – or just to shop at her store.

     

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