Purchasing an Internet prepaid calling card is very easy and convenient. But with so many prepaid calling card providers on the Internet who's to know which one is the best. Luckily you don't need to set up a contract with any calling card providers so it is very easy to search for new international calling card providers when your last card has run out of minutes. But do you really want to constantly search for a prepaid calling card all the time. I agree it would be best to just find one solid company that offers the best rates with no hidden or extra fees. A calling card provider that offers 24x7 customer service with phone lines that are crystal clear.

So here are some tips to help you stretch out your dollar and reduce the fees over all for your international or long distance prepaid calls.

1) If you call a a specific country a majority of the time than choose country specific calling cards. Since a particular calling card is linked directly with a country you will get better rates compared to a general country prepaid international card. So for example if you want to look for a calling card to call Thailand than look for a prepaid calling card tied specifically to Thailand.

2) A general rule of thumb; the cheaper the call per minute rate on the prepaid calling card, the higher the maintenance fee you will pay. A majority of calling cards charge maintenance fees that are deducted off your prepaid calling card at a weekly basis. What I normally do is choose I choose the card that is in the middle range. Another words choose the card that is between that has the least expensive call rate and the most expensive all rate. What you will end up with is a card with a maximum amount of minutes for your dollar and a maintenance fee that is more reasonable.

3) Keep in mind that prepaid calling cards have different rates when calling a land line and a mobile phone. I'll use the country Thailand for example. If I use a country specific card to Thailand and I make a call to a land line I will be paying .02 cents US per minute. With that same prepaid calling card if I call a mobile phone in Thailand I will be paying 9.4 cents US. Now that is a big difference, I would be paying 7.4 cents US more. So when you pick out a prepaid calling card make sure you check out the call per minute rates for calling both land line phones and mobile phones. So this is the most important tip," Read the prepaid calling cards details".

Don't worry it shouldn't take too long because it's not like you're buying a car. The cards details are short and brief and should only inform you of:

* Fees; if any at all
* Maintenance charge per week
* Per minute rate charge for calling land line
* Per minute rate charge for calling mobile phone