elcon

Hi All,
I am here in Paris and having trouble calling home. I purchased a calling card at a change booth(which I have done before in other countries with no problem) and can't seem to get it to work. At my hotel, I was told to dial 0 for an outside line. After doing so, I begin to call the number on the card that says "access from the Paris area. Home Phone/cell phone" Before I even finish pressing numbers I hear a repetitive beeping sound. I cannot seem to get to the point where I enter either my PIN number or the number I am calling. Is it a problem with the hotel or me? Any suggestions appreciated (including where to get a different card)
Thanks!!

kerouac

Ask the reception desk.

daveesl

That sounds like a hotel access problem, the repetitive beep thing.

WillTravel

Many hotels don't allow you to use calling cards, in order to preserve their revenue. I'm not sure if that applies in your case. Go to a phone booth.

Suzanne2

We had a similar problem. Will is right it is the hotel blocking the use of the card. I found mine worked just fine from a public phone booth.

StuDudley

We've purchased a few cards at Tobacs that are so difficult to use that we've thrown them in the trash and purchased cards (actually printouts) at a France Telecom office. Never had any problems with France Telecom.

On the others, you called a number & they immediatly called you back to then start the call. We were disconnected while talking several times.

Stu Dudley

MrNuke

The first thing I would do is follow Kerouac's advise and ask the reception desk. The hotel we stay at in Paris by default blocks access to any calls outside of the Île-de-France area and this included the calling card number. With a simple request at the receptionist desk they enable the full functionality of the phone.

elcon

Thanks for the replies. I had asked the desk before posting and was told there was no block. Now, however, the evening receptionist tells me that indeed there is a block and that I can dial US direct for .18 euro cents per minute. OK, now I really feel stupid because I can't seem to make that work either. I dial 0 to get a line out (as instructed)and I have tried every conceivable combination of country code, area code and number and the phone starts beeping before I am done. Any ideas. Also I tried two phone booths today to no avail. Believe it or not, I am usually quite good with technology! Grrr.

StuDudley

Here is what we do - to the best of our recollection

- dial 3089 to get France Telecom
wait a tad

- dial the "secret" code for the specific "card"
wait a tad

- dial 001 to get the USA

- dial your USA number (no leading 1) xxx xxx-xxxx
France Telecom will tell you how much time you have for this call.

I can't recall if we did this last year, or in '07

Stu Dudley