make sure you can communicate with them by phone...naturally!

- Establish whether there are hidden fees involved. These can be a real nuisance with some companies and what looked a super cheap deal when you purchased, could quickly deteriorate into a pretty ordinary one.

- Make sure you know exactly how much talk time you are getting. Check a company's disclaimer policy.

My biggest piece of advice is that when you find a company that satifi

How often have you heard the comment that long distance relationships don't work? Well, they may have been tough to maintain at one time, that is, until international phone cards appeared on the scene!

Not only do phone cards cut long distance call rates by up to 90% but I've discovered they can be the lifeline in a long distance relationship. Take my example for instance. I was travelling through the USA two years ago and bumped into an old friend called Cupid. He did his usual thing with the bow and arrow and yes, I began a relationship. Trouble was, I lived in Australia and she lived in Georgia. So began my first encounter with an international phone card.

For two years we communicated via the telephone, that is, in between visits, and I can quite honestly say that without being able to take advantage of the cheap call costs, well, our story may have become another one of those Mills And Boon style brief encounters. Not that there's anything wrong with them, is there?

International Phone Cards Are Easy To Buy

It's so simple to get set up with a phone card but you do need to observe some well worn rules . Not all phone card companies are created equal. During their history, phone card sellers have been a "dime a dozen"; here one day and gone tomorrow and yes, their has been the odd scam or two perpetrated by them. Today however, the industry has undergone some radical changes and there are some terrific phone card providers out there and they are determined to stick around for the long term.

Some Traps To Avoid

There are some danger signs to take notice of before and after purchasing your card. Here is a short list:

- Be wary of poor customer service. I always like to know I can contact a company direct if something goes wrong. If you intend on being a long term user, then make sure you can communicate with them by phone...naturally!

- Establish whether there are hidden fees involved. These can be a real nuisance with some companies and what looked a super cheap deal when you purchased, could quickly deteriorate into a pretty ordinary one.

- Make sure you know exactly how much talk time you are getting. Check a company's disclaimer policy.

My biggest piece of advice is that when you find a company that satifie

led Cupid. He did his usual thing with the bow and arrow and yes, I began a relationship. Trouble was, I lived in Australia and she lived in Georgia. So began my first encounter with an international phone card.

For two years we communicated via the telephone, that is, in between visits, and I can quite honestly say that without being able to take advantage of the cheap call costs, well, our story may have become another one of those Mills And Boon style brief encounters. Not that there's anything wrong with them, is there?

International Phone Cards Are Easy To Buy

It's so simple to get set up with a phone card but you do need to observe some well worn rules . Not all phone card companies are created equal. During their history, phone card sellers have been a "dime a dozen"; here one day and gone tomorrow and yes, their has been the odd scam or two perpetrated by them. Today however, the industry has undergone some radical changes and there are some terrific phone card providers out there and they are determined to stick around for the long term.

Some Traps To Avoid

There are some danger signs to take notice of before and after purchasing your card. Here is a short list:

- Be wary of poor customer service. I always like to know I can contact a company direct if something goes wrong. If you intend on being a long term user, then make sure you can communicate with them by phone...naturally!

- Establish whether there are hidden fees involved. These can be a real nuisance with some companies and what looked a super cheap deal when you purchased, could quickly deteriorate into a pretty ordinary one.

- Make sure you know exactly how much talk time you are getting. Check a company's disclaimer policy.

My biggest piece of advice is that when you find a company that satifi

le brief encounters. Not that there's anything wrong with them, is there?

International Phone Cards Are Easy To Buy

It's so simple to get set up with a phone card but you do need to observe some well worn rules . Not all phone card companies are created equal. During their history, phone card sellers have been a "dime a dozen"; here one day and gone tomorrow and yes, their has been the odd scam or two perpetrated by them. Today however, the industry has undergone some radical changes and there are some terrific phone card providers out there and they are determined to stick around for the long term.

Some Traps To Avoid

There are some danger signs to take notice of before and after purchasing your card. Here is a short list:

- Be wary of poor customer service. I always like to know I can contact a company direct if something goes wrong. If you intend on being a long term user, then make sure you can communicate with them by phone...naturally!

- Establish whether there are hidden fees involved. These can be a real nuisance with some companies and what looked a super cheap deal when you purchased, could quickly deteriorate into a pretty ordinary one.

- Make sure you know exactly how much talk time you are getting. Check a company's disclaimer policy.

My biggest piece of advice is that when you find a company that satifi

try has undergone some radical changes and there are some terrific phone card providers out there and they are determined to stick around for the long term.

Some Traps To Avoid

There are some danger signs to take notice of before and after purchasing your card. Here is a short list:

- Be wary of poor customer service. I always like to know I can contact a company direct if something goes wrong. If you intend on being a long term user, then make sure you can communicate with them by phone...naturally!

- Establish whether there are hidden fees involved. These can be a real nuisance with some companies and what looked a super cheap deal when you purchased, could quickly deteriorate into a pretty ordinary one.

- Make sure you know exactly how much talk time you are getting. Check a company's disclaimer policy.

My biggest piece of advice is that when you find a company that satifi

make sure you can communicate with them by phone...naturally!

- Establish whether there are hidden fees involved. These can be a real nuisance with some companies and what looked a super cheap deal when you purchased, could quickly deteriorate into a pretty ordinary one.

- Make sure you know exactly how much talk time you are getting. Check a company's disclaimer policy.

My biggest piece of advice is that when you find a company that satifies all your needs, stick with it. Show some loyalty and avoid jumping from one sweet deal to another. In most cases, legitimate phone card companies who are here for the long haul will offer some type of loyalty program or incentive to stay with them.

Finally, ask for printed phone records. In most cases these will be supplied on demand. In some countries, a statutory declaration may be required.