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Nursefinders UK Phonecards - Useful Tips
Introduction | Useful Tips | How to Buy the Phonecards
We have provided some notes below to help you make an informed choice to be sure you are getting the best value-for-money, and how you can make the most out of your card using our one-touch easy-dial and recharge facilities. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call us on 0845 644 6559, or email us at [email protected].
How phone card rates are structured
The basic charge is the pence-per-minute cost of the call. This will vary according to the type of call (mobile to land line, land line to land line etc.) and also the destination you are calling to. Our product referral system on our front page makes it easy for you to see the cost-per-minute for the type of call you are making to the destination of your choice.
Beyond this, there are a number of types of cost which might be applied to a card.
Connection charge
The connection charge is straight forward. Cards with a connection charge will have lower rates than those without.
You should use a card with a connection charge, such as Go Bananas, if you like to have long conversations when you call overseas.
If you make lots of shorter length calls, you will save most with a card with no connection charge, such as the First National card.
Maintenance charge
Not all cards have a maintenance charge. As a rule, cards which do will again have lower rates. But you should bare in mind that every day a small amount (usually 2 pence) will be deducted from the value left on your card.
If you use your cards frequently and do not keep each card for more than a week or so, you will save most using a card with a maintenance charge. If you do not call frequently and keep your card for a few weeks or more, then you will save more money using a card with no maintenance charge.
Access numbers
The access call is the call that connects you to the telecom company who are providing your call. There are usually 3 access options given on each card and they are best used as follows:
0800 free phone access. This is the cheapest access method to use from land line phones. The access call is free except in the following circumstances:
When using the card from a mobile phone.
Most mobile providers such as O2, Vodafone, Virgin and BT mobile will charge you a premium for 0800 calls. Orange, however, do not. Check your mobile account charges and if a charge is applied to 0800 calls you should use the mobile access number (see below).
0800 surcharge
Some cards levy a surcharge on all 0800 calls and this is not always clearly spelt out. We make all surcharges clear, if and when they are applied.
0207 mobile access.
This should be used from mobile phones when there is a charge made for calling 0800 numbers. The 0207 leg of the call will be charged at your mobile operators standard rates (usually between 3 pence and 10 pence per minute). For most international calls, the total cost of the call will still be considerably cheaper regardless.
The main exception to this is for pay-as-you go accounts where there is a higher charge for the first few minutes of each call made. You should check your mobile account charges to ensure you do not pay over-the-odds for the access leg of your call.
0845 access.
Some phone systems, such as those in many student halls of residence, do not allow 0800 calls but do allow 0845 access, which is charged at a standard national rate. If you are calling from a place with such a phone system, you should use either the 0207 or 0845 access number - whichever is cheaper. Check the call costs from the operator who provides the phone system you are calling from to ensure you are getting the best value-for-money from your card.
Pay phone surcharge
Most cards place a surcharge for calling from a public pay phone. If you are calling from a pay phone, you should still save significantly on international calls, but choose a card with the lowest surcharge to get the best value-for-money.
Using your card from a mobile phone
Most cards will work from a mobile phone, and some can save you money on cross-network UK calls as well as international calls. The most important thing in ensuring you are saving the most on your calls is to understand if your mobile service provider (Vodafone, O2, BT Mobile, Virgin etc.) charges for 0800 calls or not. Most do, but if like Orange they do not, you will be best off using the 0800 access number.
If your mobile service provider does charge for calling 0800 numbers, then you should use the mobile access (0207) number which will be charged at your mobile operators standard rates (usually between 3 pence and 10 pence per minute). For most international calls, the total cost of the call will still be considerably cheaper regardless.
Some card s now offer a reduced rate for calling from mobile phones, so this can work our particularly well if you are calling using free inclusive minutes � you should always ready the product details to be sure of getting the best deal. All prices and relevant charges are clearly published on our site.
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