ANY REASONABLY-PRICED LONG DISTANCE SERVICES OUT THERE?

December 11, 2003 | ME

[GYPSY286]

I must be dumb when it comes to long distance service rates. I only make one call per month to VA from PA. I thought AT&T was too expensive, not with the actual charge on that particular call but all the other "charges" they throw in. So I switched to MCI - BIG MISTAKE. I am looking at a bill for $108, with only one call to VA for $15+. I get nailed as it is on toll calls (have AT&T for local service)and they add a zillion charges for taxes, fees, etc. Any opinions out there on long distance service carriers? Thanks!

[RedWhiteBlue]

Ditto on the advice about the AT&T card through Sam's Club. You can also get an MCI phone card at Costco that is priced at 2.9 cents/minute. There are no hidden charges on either of these cards. The only time you pay anything in addition to the stated cents/minute is when you use a pay phone. We use these cards except on the weekend, when we get unlimited minutes on the cell phone.

[aculeus]

With cards you can enter the 800 number on your speed dial and enter the card number on a second speed dial digit.

Reduces the need to enter both numbers.

[LibWhacker]

In case none of the others pan out: Google search: cheap long distance rates.

[GYPSY286]

Thanks to all for the quick feedback. I was thinking of a Cricket phone - they are offering a $130 phone with a $29.95 per month package and after 90 days, you get a rebate of $130 on the phone.

[chaosagent]

I use 1010987.

It's .03/min with a .39 connection fee 24/7.

So a 1 hour call would cost you $2.19.

You can check it out at www.1010987.com.

No signup. I haven't used the LD on my phone service in several years.

And no, I don't make anything off of this.

[newgeezer]

I'll echo the Sam's Club deal. Go to Sam's. Buy a card. If you're not a Sam's member, find a friend who is and ask him/her if you can buy a 600 or 1000 minute card through them. There's no surcharge (except when you use a pay phone), no connect charge, no minimums, nothing hidden, no hassle.

I gave Sam's AT&T cards to all my family members a couple Christmases ago, and they've been using and recharging them (on their own credit cards, at 3.47 cents per minute plus local sales tax, where applicable) ever since.

I've used mine for years, and never looked back. I've even cancelled our 'normal' LD carrier, and programmed the card number into our phones.

Unless you're someone who can benefit from one of those fixed-price, unlimited calling plans, you can't beat 3.47 cents/min.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

We've tried 'em all and like Sprint best.

[The Other Harry]

After getting a good screwing from AT&T, I wouldn't go anywhere near anything they sell.

I have since switched to IDT, and I have been quite happy with them. They aren't the very cheapest, but they're close. And the way their system works fits my calling patterns. I tend to go thru protracted periods of very light use, then I will get a period of very heavy use.

I don't really want a calling card. I'd rather have an account. I have my IDT account set up so that it automatically debits my VISA, but they also send me an itemized bill. It's quite satisfactory.