Germany-france-switzerland - How To Get Coverage? - Page 3

snaimon · 09-06-2006, 14:25

Recommend BOTH US-based and local.

1. Backup -- mainly -- once you leave the city where you purchased
local card, you may not find anyone who can help you with it.
2. You can always use the US for overseas calling from US later
3. You may be more familiar with US cards dialing instructions, etc.
4. You can usually recharge the US card with a credit card.

Bottom line, more flexibility.

Indeed, you need one with international dialing and SAMs or whatever is fine. Go for a 120 Min card -- especially if you don't think you'll need much outbound dialing. You can always add money, even from overseas. Be sure to find the local toll free #s for your countries before you leave.

If you do lots of overseas calling AND from US, I would recommend looking @ Onesuite and Enjoyprepaid, both available only online. The rates are better than either ATT or MCI.

Stan

katzen · 09-06-2006, 15:13

Thank you Stan! So if I use a calling card that I purchase at Sam's Club or Costco .. I need to make sure that it's for international use right?

Once I get over to say Germany and I go to make a call back to the states from my cell phone using the calling card or do I use a hotel? ... am I still being charged the $1.29 per minute if I use my cell phone to dial the calling card number? Sorry if this is so basic .. I may have missed the boat on this one!

Bossman · 09-06-2006, 15:54

Any call placed from your phone (with cingular's sim in it) while there will be charged whatever the roaming rate is. The phones in your hotel room will probably not be free either. It might even be more expensive than Cingular's roaming rate. If there are pay phones there, thet will probably be your best option. Some calling cards also levy a surcharge for using a pay phone. Also, as posted my the experts here, a UK calling card will be a whole lot cheaper than the Sams/Costco calling card you take from here.

Here is the sams card. You probably will need to contact the CSR to get the rates from there to US, and the number to dial from there.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate....3786&pCatg=5875

snaimon · 09-06-2006, 17:01

As to hotels....

A hotel we stayed at in Duesseldorf allowed no cost toll free outbound, so both the US or local prepaid card worked fine.

We stayed in a hotel near the Frankfurt airport (Gross Gerau) and I foolishly did not ask about 800 calls; I was charged for each one.

We stayed in another hotel in the south and were not charged for toll free calls.

We also stayed in several places in France and were not charged.

It is best to ask in advance about phone charges.

Agree with B that calls on your Cingy phone while abroad will be billed at the romaing rate REGARDLESS of what # you call or if you receive a call.

There are stories in German papers (teltarif) about the influx of foreignors for the world cup and some of them are buying German prepaid packages to save money.

Keep asking questions if you need to.

Stan

khalisha · 12-06-2006, 11:31

Hey. Just to add my $.02, there seem to be a lot of companies on the web that will unlock phones. I've never tried any of them, though, but at least they may be a good option for you since Cingular doesn't seem so helpful.

As for the upgrade to international service, that's cool. If you think you'll travel outside the US even one more time, you should get an international sim. There are a few in the market, but they generally offer free incoming calls in a variety of countries and service worldwide (so you get the same number). Plus, they are prepaid, pretty cheap (esp. when compared to international roaming), and tend to last indefinitely. Outgoing calls aren't so expensive (they would probably be cheaper than calling cards, but make sure you check out the rates beforehand). Good luck, and happy travels!

Khalisha
Zengo Wireless

katzen · 21-06-2006, 18:14

Thank you for the very helpful replies!!! I've been looking at Calling cards in various stores ... the ones I'm seeing are International phone cards .. but it seems they are for calls made from the U.S. to foreign countries. Is there one out there that has from foreign countries to the US ... or is that the one I purchase in Europe? I apologize in advance if I am being daft!! I've a planned a 3 week trip with no problems .. but for the phone, camera and laptop .. I'm ready to pull my hair out. :wacko:

Bossman · 21-06-2006, 18:50

Obviously, it would be easier to find those in the country you will be calling from. But, the sams club/costco international cards (see link I posted above) should also work from abroad. You may need to contact cust. serv. # on the card to get the rate and the number to dial.

money69 · 22-06-2006, 02:51

Check out www.idtcalls.com they sell calling cards to call FROM EUROPE.

katzen · 13-07-2006, 19:39

Still contemplating this phone ordeal .... has anyone used or heard of skype? We will be taking our laptop and a friend suggested we look into it. Thanks!

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	(#21)
snaimon (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 898 Join Date: 17 Mar 2004 Location: Richmond, VA USA Country:	09-06-2006, 14:25 Recommend BOTH US-based and local. 1. Backup -- mainly -- once you leave the city where you purchased local card, you may not find anyone who can help you with it. 2. You can always use the US for overseas calling from US later 3. You may be more familiar with US cards dialing instructions, etc. 4. You can usually recharge the US card with a credit card. Bottom line, more flexibility. Indeed, you need one with international dialing and SAMs or whatever is fine. Go for a 120 Min card -- especially if you don't think you'll need much outbound dialing. You can always add money, even from overseas. Be sure to find the local toll free #s for your countries before you leave. If you do lots of overseas calling AND from US, I would recommend looking @ Onesuite and Enjoyprepaid, both available only online. The rates are better than either ATT or MCI. Stan Phones: DASH V3 (3) Service: US T-MO post paid (2) - US T-MO prepaid (2) - UM+ - TravelSIM DE SIMYO - DE SUNSIM T-Mobile DE Calling Cards: Onesuite Enjoyprepaid AT&T MCI Mobivox

	(#22)
katzen (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 11 Join Date: 31 May 2006	09-06-2006, 15:13 Thank you Stan! So if I use a calling card that I purchase at Sam's Club or Costco .. I need to make sure that it's for international use right? Once I get over to say Germany and I go to make a call back to the states from my cell phone using the calling card or do I use a hotel? ... am I still being charged the $1.29 per minute if I use my cell phone to dial the calling card number? Sorry if this is so basic .. I may have missed the boat on this one!

	(#23)
Bossman (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Professionist Posts: 1,257 Join Date: 22 Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Country:	09-06-2006, 15:54 Any call placed from your phone (with cingular's sim in it) while there will be charged whatever the roaming rate is. The phones in your hotel room will probably not be free either. It might even be more expensive than Cingular's roaming rate. If there are pay phones there, thet will probably be your best option. Some calling cards also levy a surcharge for using a pay phone. Also, as posted my the experts here, a UK calling card will be a whole lot cheaper than the Sams/Costco calling card you take from here. Here is the sams card. You probably will need to contact the CSR to get the rates from there to US, and the number to dial from there. http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate....3786&pCatg=5875 Phones: Xiaomi Mi Mix 2, Samsung Galaxy A50, ASUS zenfone 3, Sim cards: AT&T (Contract), 3 UK, Piranha Mobile

	(#24)
snaimon (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 898 Join Date: 17 Mar 2004 Location: Richmond, VA USA Country:	09-06-2006, 17:01 As to hotels.... A hotel we stayed at in Duesseldorf allowed no cost toll free outbound, so both the US or local prepaid card worked fine. We stayed in a hotel near the Frankfurt airport (Gross Gerau) and I foolishly did not ask about 800 calls; I was charged for each one. We stayed in another hotel in the south and were not charged for toll free calls. We also stayed in several places in France and were not charged. It is best to ask in advance about phone charges. Agree with B that calls on your Cingy phone while abroad will be billed at the romaing rate REGARDLESS of what # you call or if you receive a call. There are stories in German papers (teltarif) about the influx of foreignors for the world cup and some of them are buying German prepaid packages to save money. Keep asking questions if you need to. Stan Phones: DASH V3 (3) Service: US T-MO post paid (2) - US T-MO prepaid (2) - UM+ - TravelSIM DE SIMYO - DE SUNSIM T-Mobile DE Calling Cards: Onesuite Enjoyprepaid AT&T MCI Mobivox

	(#25)
khalisha (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 19 Join Date: 25 May 2006	12-06-2006, 11:31 Hey. Just to add my $.02, there seem to be a lot of companies on the web that will unlock phones. I've never tried any of them, though, but at least they may be a good option for you since Cingular doesn't seem so helpful. As for the upgrade to international service, that's cool. If you think you'll travel outside the US even one more time, you should get an international sim. There are a few in the market, but they generally offer free incoming calls in a variety of countries and service worldwide (so you get the same number). Plus, they are prepaid, pretty cheap (esp. when compared to international roaming), and tend to last indefinitely. Outgoing calls aren't so expensive (they would probably be cheaper than calling cards, but make sure you check out the rates beforehand). Good luck, and happy travels! Khalisha Zengo Wireless

	(#26)
katzen (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 11 Join Date: 31 May 2006	21-06-2006, 18:14 Thank you for the very helpful replies!!! I've been looking at Calling cards in various stores ... the ones I'm seeing are International phone cards .. but it seems they are for calls made from the U.S. to foreign countries. Is there one out there that has from foreign countries to the US ... or is that the one I purchase in Europe? I apologize in advance if I am being daft!! I've a planned a 3 week trip with no problems .. but for the phone, camera and laptop .. I'm ready to pull my hair out. :wacko:

	(#27)
Bossman (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Professionist Posts: 1,257 Join Date: 22 Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Country:	21-06-2006, 18:50 Obviously, it would be easier to find those in the country you will be calling from. But, the sams club/costco international cards (see link I posted above) should also work from abroad. You may need to contact cust. serv. # on the card to get the rate and the number to dial. Phones: Xiaomi Mi Mix 2, Samsung Galaxy A50, ASUS zenfone 3, Sim cards: AT&T (Contract), 3 UK, Piranha Mobile

	(#28)
money69 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Fan Posts: 154 Join Date: 06 Aug 2004 Country:	22-06-2006, 02:51 Check out www.idtcalls.com they sell calling cards to call FROM EUROPE.

	(#29)
katzen (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 11 Join Date: 31 May 2006	13-07-2006, 19:39 Still contemplating this phone ordeal .... has anyone used or heard of skype? We will be taking our laptop and a friend suggested we look into it. Thanks!