I am introducing this thread to help save my brothren on international long distance call charges!

First, to get everyone up to date regarding past posts, reports, and bulletin board posts...


I was using Union Florida card, it's about 6 cents per minute to most of Colombia (similar to Argentina and Brasil), and 12 cents for a CO cellular (AR about the same, BR about 20 cents). They sell them out of the Blackstone vending machines at the grocery stores, but you can also buy them online.

http://www.blackstoneonline.com/callingcards/showcard.asp?cardid=2174

The 800 number you call to access it only works from FL. Thus, if you're calling from outside FL, you have to use the non-800 numbers, all of which are in FL (e.g. 305-, 954-, etc.). I don't mind, because I can use my cell phone and there's no long distance. Other people have unlimmitted long distance at home. But it's great from FL.

But another CHer (don't remember who) in a post turned me on to a card called La Esmerelda. I bought my first $5 card last week to test it out.

http://www.pinonsale.com/Details.asp?Product=545

Most of S.A. is only 3 cents per minute and Cellulars are 5 cents. They do 3 minute rounding, but otherwise they say no fees or charges (lots are usually hidden with these cards). And, I'm pretty sure this card's 800 number can be dialed from the entire U.S.

I used my first card and I thought it went too fast, but I hadn't really paid close attention. So I bought a second card, and logged each call (minutes, dollars remaining - they tell you on each call before you connect). Sure enough I was hit for over one dollar! So I called and asked what's the deal, on a previous call to customer service they had promised me no fees or hidden costs. The guy said the computer had made an error, and they put another dollar on the card (but they are not rechargable). Sounds pretty sketchy to me.

Well, as an update, this has happened twice more! I make a call, note my length of time, and on the next call my balance is about $1 short! Both times I called to complain, and they claimed a computer error and issued a credit which put my balance back to the correct amount to the exact penny.

Their customer service (which is outsourced, and this company does customer service for a ton of telecoms) told me I might like the Sol card better (same web site) and it appears that their rates are about the same as La Esmerelda.

Stay tuned on those two...


I have another product which is good. It's not a calling card, but still a dial-around. You give them you phone number (home number or cell if you like) and they assign you an account. You then dial an 800 number from that line you specified, and the computer recognizes it's you and gives you a dial tone. I set this on speed dial so I hit one number and I get the dial tone. You then dial your international call as normal (e.g. 011-57- ).

http://www.bptelcom.com/
http://asp.bptelcom.com/daall.asp?Country=Dial-Around%20USA

Most of CO is 8 cents/minute, Cellulars are 14 cents. AR is about the same I think. BR is more like 8 cents and 24 cents, respectively.

BPT costs a little more (so I don't use them except as a back up), but they offer the convenience of not having to enter a pin, and being able to replenish your account (vs. getting a new card/pin).

All of these options are great for your cell in the U.S.! I can't beleive people pay like $3/min to use their cell to call overseas, when something like this is so easy to use.

Update on La Esmerelda and Sugar cards.


I now believe the cards purchased from Pinonsale - at least the two I've bought, Sugar and La Esmerelda - to be a total rip off. I've purchased more than one of each, and they subtract like $1 each day from my balance - even though they repeatedly tell me there is no fees - maintenance, connection, hidden, whatever.

Some days I don't even make a call and they are subracting from my balance. I call to have it added back, and they repeatedly tell me it's computer error. It's just a plain rip off.

The card company is Mercury Teleservices - stay away from them! Pinonsale is just a reseller and customer support outsource provider.

I'd like to see anyone post information to the contrary - but it seems these companies are frauds and theives - stay away.

I have been very happy with pinzoo.com. I normally purchase the $20 Silver card. There have been no problems for the past couple of years.

I found this website for international prepaid calling cards. www.prepaidcall.com

It looks like pretty good rates and is easy to search all the different types of phone cards out there. Plus it has all the info about maintenance fees and minute rounding.

Hope it helps...

I just made some calls via the titanium card
on pinzoo. It seems like a good company.
No hassales and no bullshit thus far.

As far as I can tell, I think this is a good
deal for those not wanting any BS.