International Phone Card Question
 

I am heading to Ireland on the 9th. As far as calling back home to the states, what phone card would you recommend and how accessible are they in Ireland. Is Swiftcall e-pin a good thing?

Thanks in advance,
Greg

Just returned in Apr. I went to a locate cigar etc store and asked the clerk. Paid about 5 or 6 dollars. Follow the instructions on the card and had no problem. Can't remember the amount of minutes but it was in the hundreds. I still have the card. Even used it on the pay phones on the street. Been to Europe many times and never had a problem.

I always buy an Eircom Phone Card (the one with the I/C chip on the Card). Eircom Phones are all over the place. Insert it and direct dial to the U.S., just prefix your area code with 011. The monutes are very cheap. I never really needed one with more than the basic 7-Euro credit.
BTW
I've made several direct dial calls to the U.S. from Hotel room phones in Ireland. Unlike some Hotels in the U.S. and other Countries, they never billed me for anything more than the Phone company charges. Hotels I can mention are the TempleGate in Ennis (Co. Clare) and the Courtenay Lodge in Newcastlewest (Co. Limerick). I have not tried that from a B&B.

there are chip cards that you insert, and other cards that you type in a pin that is under something you scratch off.
(no need to insert in phone)

nedsireland..did you insert the card in the hotel room phone????
or were these phones on street only?
i didn't understand your post as i thought the rooms would not have those type phones.

lincasanova asks: "nedsireland..did you insert the card in the hotel room phone????
or were these phones on street only?"

No! Eircom Phones are generally Public Pay phones found on the street. I don't remember precisely where, but I did find one installed in a Hotel Bar once or twice.

My comments re: hotel room phones were to compare practices one encounters in the U.S. (where some will add on 'access' or minimum charges just to make a call from one's room) with those in Ireland.