Which Access Number to use

When you buy a phonecard in the UK, you are usually given several access numbers that may be used to make your international call. The numbers may be prefixed by 0800, 0845 or 020.

Which access number should you use for the most minutes?

We have provided a helpful paragraph on each to help you to decide.

1. 020 Local access numbers - 020 numbers are charged at a standard rate for calls made from UK phones. Most mobile telephone service providers allow calls to 020 numbers to be made from free inclusive contract minutes. BT allows free calls to 020 numbers for up to an hour at weekends, Evenings and Weekends or Anytime depending on the BT Call Plan to which you are signed up. You can therefore call internationally at just the quoted phonecard rate at Calling Cards Direct. If you have a contract mobile with free minutes, we recommended that you call via your phonecard's 020 access number.

2. 0845 National Access numbers - Calls to 0845 access numbers are charged on BT and most other phone providers at Daytime: 2p/minute and Evenings: 0.5p/minute. You can therefore call internationally at just the quoted phonecard rate on Calling Cards Direct plus 0.5p/minute. For example, a call to India from your BT landline anywhere in the UK would cost you just 3p/minute if made in the evening (after 7:00 p.m.).

3. 0800 Toll free access numbers - Calls to 0800 numbers are free from most UK landlines. These numbers have a slightly higher rate than local access numbers, but they are more reliable and of course would not usually incur a charge (please check with your phone provider if unsure and always obtain the bill payers permission before using an access number).

We hope this has helped you to decide which is the best access number for you to use when you call abroad using a phonecard.

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