SPRINT Unusable In Air????
 

My company recently switched to SPRINT for our corporate calling card. When I attempted to use my card while flying, I was unable. I called Sprint and was told this is due to the fact that an 800 # is used to connect and airphones cannot use 800#'s. Is this correct??---I don't make 'TON's' of air calls, but I do make some. Any comments, or ways around this???

Mauld,

Sounds strange to me. I had a similar circumstance when I tried to call a long distance number from my home phone (Sprint) and I got a strange recorded message saying that I used the wrong code or something like that. I then tried the same number on my cell phone (Verison), and the call went thru. This is the first time I experienced a difference in the phone carrier. Hopefully, this is the exeption instead of the rule.

DD

I've called 800 #s many times while in the air with no problems.

It's not so much dialing the 800 # (although I can't call my offices' 800 line from the air), but the sliding through of my card that does not seem to connect. Sprint did agree that that was the case, but did not seem to offer any solution.

If the plane you were on uses GTE's Airphone service, you should be able to dial any Toll-Free number as if you were on a land line (this includes 800, 888, and 877 numbers) and the rate is the same as regular calls...therefore it doesn't pay if you are calling anywhere in the USA (whereas calling abroad might be a different story).

See the FAQ on the Airphone web site at: http://www.airfone.com/airfone/af_faqs.html


p.s. - It says the following:
What credit cards are accepted?
GTE, AT&T, MCI, American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Bravo, MasterCard, VISA.

Can I use my regular calling card to make calls?
If your card is a GTE, AT&T, or MCI card, it is accepted.

[This message has been edited by steve100 (edited 07-05-2000).]

I am not sure if it is GTE, I generally have had the problem on Continental flights, and I have never been able to 'swipe' my Sprint card on those flights, but I can (& when forced) do use my VISA. The problem is, my Sprint bill gets paid directly by my company, whereas, with a credit card, I have to go through the process of waiting for the bill and then expensing it. We used to have MCI and it was soooooo much simplier.

I have called 800 numbers also and they are billed as a regular long distance call from the air.

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speedbird001