Hi there,

I'm Michael from Hong Kong. I'll be in San Francisco late June to attend a conference.

It is my first time to US, I would deeply appreciate your advice in using prepaid calling card.

I have to made local call (SF area ONLY) and call back to Hong Kong. I will call from public pay phone or hotel room.

My local (HK) phone company offer 0.25 $US per min long distance rate. However, I need to use a local connect no. 1-888-xxx-xxxx to "enjoy" that. Well, I don't mind using calling card for long distance call if the rate is attractive.

My questions are :

1. No coins/credit card for making call. Is calling card the only choice ?

2. Is 888-xxx-xxxx toll free ? Is it toll free from any public pay phone and hotel room ?

3. If 888-xxx-xxxx is toll free. Can I use my mobile phone to made long distance call without any bloodly expensive roaming fee ?

4. I DO know hotel charge for dailing out. will they charge for answer phone call from hotel room !?

5. Which one is better : AT&T or Sprint prepaid ?


Thanks so much for your attention and look forward for your advice !

Calling cards are the best way to go. However, $0.25 to HK does not sound like that good a rate!!

To answer your questions:
1. Yes, calling card is the only choice.

2. 888 numbers are toll free. However, your hotel will more than likely charge a fee (usually from $0.75-$1.50). It will be free from pay phones.

3. It depends. If you are using your mobile from home it will depend on your plan and SIM card. I know on my mobile I would not be able to use a calling card 888 number. Roaming is not based on the number called, rather the area called from. If you are trying to communicate by mobile with people overseas, you are probably better of texting and then using land lines for conversation.

4. No, the hotel will not charge you for calls received in your room.

5. I don't know which is better--we use MCI for domestic calls and special calling cards for Asia.

Again, check the rate for the $0.25 to HK. It really doesn't sound like a good rate at all!!! You would be able to buy calling cards for HK cheaper out here.

Have a great trip!!

I use MCI...domestic rate is .035 per minute [do not know what international rate to Honk Kong]

Point of interest: When I use my MCI card at pay telephone, there is a .24 charge in addition to the minute rate.

Just checked the MCI USA to Hong Kong rate = .17 per minute.

I looked on my "HELLO ASIA" card (a brand of calling card and calls to HK are $0.055 a minute.

Thanks so much for your advice.

I'd consider the MCI or Hello Asia phone card.

BTW, kikahead, can I find the Hello Asia card from airport / department store...etc, don't want to buy online with credit card.

Thanks