Originally Posted by pdhenry
Cut to the chase - the easiest thing for occasional "I'm OK" calls is a prepaid AT&T long distance card from some place like Sam's Club. I think BJs sells an equivalent card from MCI. With a little research beforehand you'll know the number to call within any particular country to reach the automated AT&T operator (just like when you call 1-800-CALL-ATT from the US).
Here's a link to downloadable wallet cards with USA-Direct numbers.
There are cheaper methods per-minute but this is easy. I think you end up spending $15 or $20 for the smallest card Sams sells.
This is SO true. But prepare a cheatsheat with EACH COUNTRY'S ACCESS NUMBER and the card's numbers (1-800 and then the PIN) for the user. Send 2 or 3 copies in case the first one is displaced or goes through the laundry.
In France, for example, I use my Sam's Club AT&T card as follows:
From a pay phone on the street (there are many), I dial:
(no coin is needed in France, but IS often required in other countries)
0800-99-00-11 (AT&T's FRANCE access number)
at prompt, dial:
1-800-803-7806 (MY card's US access number)
at prompt, dial the prepaid PIN:
nnnn-nnnn-nnnn
at prompt, dial the desired number:
1-nnn-nnn-nnnn
From my hotel room, I dial:
00800-99-00-11 (AT&T's FRANCE access number with a preceeding 0 for outside line access)
at prompt, dial:
1-800-803-7806 (MY card's US access number)
at prompt, dial the prepaid PIN:
nnnn-nnnn-nnnn
at prompt, dial the desired number:
1-nnn-nnn-nnnn
Many hotels allow this toll-free number for FREE! Still others charge steeply for it and still others BLOCK the number! But the payphones always work for me.
Note that calls FROM France to the USA cost 7 units per minute (~US$0.21 per minute).