I keep a calling card (MCI) with me for this reason, but they aren't always a deal either. I am accustomed to paying the 35 cent pay phone fee or whatever, but I used it for a (fortunately) quick call to the US from the Admiral's Club in YYZ and that call must have been US$7 or 8 per minute given how many minutes it said I had available for the call -- compared once I got home and the balance was back to normal. This is obviously much better than $70 for a 5 minute call, but still not a deal -- though also not a horrible credit card shock after the fact. I was fully aware I was going to get screwed if I completed the call.