When you decide to purchase a prepaid calling card you will usually get a card that has a pre determined number of minutes on it. The number of minutes on the card will depend on the cost per minute and the price that you paid for the card. You will also receive a pin number for the card so you can use it anywhere.

When you need to make a calling card call you can do that from your home phone, other regular phone lines, as well as pay phones. The number of minutes that you use will then be deducted from your total talk time.

When purchasing a typically U.S. based calling card it is usually sold on a per minute type of billing. These rates will vary depending on whom you purchase your calling card from. Usually you can also use your domestic prepaid calling card for international calls as well.

For people who do not want to continually add minutes to their phone card they can get a credit phone card. These cards will bill the owner on a regular basis just like a credit card normally does. Security is an issue with this type of card should it "fall" into the wrong hands, however, this type of card is often used for corporate accounts where they have a force of employees away from the office.

These are some of the most popular calling cards that are currently available. You can purchase these calling cards at local stores and retail centers. Sometimes you can even find vending machines that sell these rechargeable cards.

Rechargeable phone cards are calling cards that can have minutes or dollars be recharged the initial minutes or dollar amount is expired. Depending if your calling card was a store or an internet based purchase will determine the "re-fill" procedure.

Calling cards purchased over the Internet have their web site on the back of card with refilling by credit card, debit card or ach check instructions prompted on their web site. Store bought refillable cards ( most are re-chargeable) have all recharge information on the back and is done over the phone or snail mail with money order, check by phone, credit or debit card.

Personal Identification Number Cards or PIN Cards

When you buy a calling card online you will usually be given a personal pin number. The company that you purchased your card from can easily forward your pin number to your email address and you never actually receive a physical card in the mail.

This automated way of receiving phone cards is just as good as having an actually card in your hand because the only purpose of the physical cards is to give you a place where your pin number is written down. To save yourself money you can buy your calling minutes over the computer and not have to carry around a card. If you really want a physical card you can usually print one out from the receipt that you are mailed.

If you make a lot of international calls then you need a calling card that is designed specifically for these types of calls. Usually you can buy cards that can be used from within the U.S. as well as around the world. Each calling card will come with international access numbers so you know what to dial no matter which country you are in.