I often see those special 1010 or 101 numbers you can direct dial to save money calling to Europe, but generally don't trust them. A niece who stayed in my place while I was gone once racked up a big bill calling home to their teenage son from my phone. Every time she called and got a busy signal or the answering machine (over 20 times) there was another charge for $1.
Anyway, this past month I made two calls to London theatre box offices. I used the 101-6400 number (supposedly better than the 6880 or whatever the other number is that a lot of people use and claiming to be 4.9 cents per minute to the UK). Surprisingly enough, when I got my phone bill yesterday, this one really worked. One call was 4 minutes and cost a grand total of 20 cents. The other call was 8 minutes and cost a grand total of 39 cents. There were no other charges on my phone bill such as access charges, etc. for these calls other than an additional 5 cents of Federal, State, and local tax. So the two phone calls totaling 12 minutes cost me a grand total of 64 cents!

For those of you wondering if access is available in your area go to www.1016400.com. It is not available in my area but www.1010297.com is.

Thanks for the number, Patrick. I've been using 10-10-987 for international calls. Formerly it was 5c/min to Holland but it has gone up, for short calls at least. Last month I paid 57c for 6 minutes to Holland but only $1.71 for 44 minutes to Germany. The German call works out to 3.9c/min.

I've used the 101 6868 exchange to call Italy, UK, Paris, and Madrid without any problems, both calling and faxing. See http://www.10-10phonerates.com/intl.html for comaparing these different exchanges and pricing. Some charge per minutes, others have some kind of connection fee or minimum, that's where you can get ripped off.

I've been using 1010-6868 for years and never had a problem. I use it for long distance here in the States too.

The rates appear to be cheaper for Europe, but in my case they are not cheaper within the continental U.S. I would need to average 20 minutes per call for the rates to better with my present carrier's.

I switched to Startec few years ago, they started as one of those 1010 companies, now as I have them as my long distance carrier I just dial 011 for international, or 1-whatever for interstate. My son was once on the phone with Germany for 76 minutes, we paid $4+change. If you use them as long distance they offer a cheap package for computer dial-up.

I use 10-10-987 for all my international calls. I am very pleased with the services. For 149 minutes, I was only charged a little over $6. It's great.

I use 10 10 -629..just because my own phone number starts with 629 so I don't have a lot to remember! Really cheap..but then they all are with in a range of a few cents a minute1

Heads up! These dial-around numbers change their rates often. Just because the number you use today is inexpensive, it doesn't mean it will be tomorrow. The site below compares the specs and charges for the 1010 (and other) numbers, so check it out before you dial. If you have any doubt about rates and/or connection charges, phone the company and ask about rates from your area.

http://1010phonerates.com/

I recently started using 10-10-987 for calls to France (planning my May trip), and I couldn't believe it when I got my phone bill! Extremely cheap, especially compared with my normal AT&T bills. I had been skeptical of their TV ads before I tried, but now I'm a believer!
3 cents a minute, plus 39 cents connection charge. This adds up to cheap!

I just posted this same question in reverse. I'll state it again here - what is the cheapest way to call FROM France to the USA? I've never called home before during any of my European trips since they were just 2 weeks long. This time with a duration of 6 weeks, I will want to hear my family's voices! So what's the cheapest way? St Cirq, having a home in France, I'll bet you can tell me how to do it.

Are you able to use these numbers to call from the UK to the USA? Or is it just for calling from the US to other countrys. For calling the UK I use a phone card I get off the internet through [email protected] . I use a card they provide called "Blue Sky". I get 500 minutes for $18.00. There are no connection fees or monthly charges. They round off to the minute at the end of your call. It runs less than 04 cents a minute. You are not charged the 39 cents that you are with the 1010 numbers if you get an answering macnine or wrong number. Just read all the information before you buy a card. Some have extra fees and do not call all European countries. You don't actually get a card in the mail. They e-mail your card number and directions on how to use the card.
I have been using these cards for several years now and have pretty good luck with them. Sometimes they take a little longer to get a connection than when you just call with your regular pone service but when you have family that you call regurally it is worth the extra trouble.

In preparation for my 6 week trip, I needed to change my long distance plan to something more affordable for calling Europe. I did a search and found Pioneer Telephone had 5 cents a minute to France. They offered me 2.9 per minute for my instate calls and 3.3 cents a minute for my state to state long distance. This is billed in 60 second increments. For only 3.5 cents, you can be billed in 6 second increments. No minimum usage amount, no monthly fee. If you get your bill online, there is absolutely no fee other than your long distance calls. If you receive a paper bill, there will be a service charge. I had used this company before and was extremely satisfied. I had switched to AT&T to get some needed Skymiles, but when I saw the charge for a 6 minute call to London ($11 for 6 minutes), I knew I had to switch back.

Hope this will help somebody. Here's the website:

http://www.lowestphoneratesonthenet.com/?agentid=405337