In buying and using prepaid calling cards, there are some rules to consider. First rule is compare. There are many prepaid phone cards, and each has different rates and fees. In order to protect your hard earned money, it is wise to compare different phone cards.

The next rule is to read the information written on the phone card. Always be aware. Let us say for instance, you bought a $50 prepaid phone card, and the card has a very low per minute rate, but it has high connection fee, let us say $2.50 for every call. So if you only have $2.25 remaining balance on your prepaid calling card, you can not use it anymore because the connection fee is $2.50. All you can do is throw away the card and waste $2.25.

Know if the prepaid calling card has a connection fees. This fee is being charge for each connected call. If in some cases, answering machines, fax machines, voice mails or pagers are the ones who pick up the call, the call you made is considered connected and there is a connection fee charged to your phone card. Another rule to consider, protect your personal identification number or PIN. You have to memorize the number or keep it to a safe place. Do not share it with anyone unless you give the person the permission to use the prepaid phone card.

Know if the prepaid card is rechargeable. Several prepaid calling card are being thrown after the minutes are used and if the cards expires. However, there are prepaid calling cards that are rechargeable. If the calling card is rechargeable, you just have to contact the carrier and ask for additional minutes.