What to do when 800 exchange doesn't work from overseas?
 

I thought I had read the following here, on TravelBuzz but cannot locate it:

800 numbers may or may not work depending on where you are, so get the normal area code numbers too, or try the following area codes from overseas:
Replace 800 by 880.
Replace 888 by 881
Replace 877 by 882

Does anyone have any experience with this? Do these work?

(The information is for colleagues.)

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Just trying to keep up with the gals in the trailer park next door.

That's interesting, never heard of that 800# trick.

I usually try to either have a local number or an international number programmed into my cell phone.

For instance, I've got a local US number for AA programmed into my cell phone, and for Starwood I've got a number for their call center in Ireland programmed in. Both work fine, and are the same price per minute, regardless of where I am, from Nextel.

d

I guess maybe the Argentine system is set up to dial them. Every 800 number I've dialed from here works (of course its not toll free)including AA, DL, Hyatt, Amex, Diners, Citibank, Wachovia, Kapalua Villas, SPG, Amazon, 800 contacts, and Lands End to name a few off the top of my head.

How are the 800-numbers billed? Same price as regular international phone calls or free/discounted?

Mixed answer - back to US, same price as regular billed calls. Other countries, I don't know.

A lot of US 800s don't work from overseas, which is why you should write down the regular #.

I don't know how the overseas 800#s work since I don't access them that often. Would be interested in the response. Cheers.

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Sharon

I use a Sprint calling card... it will let you dial US 800 #'s. Since the call to the 800 number is technically placed in the US, you will have less of a chance of getting a blocked or unreachable 800 # due to geography reasons.

I still get charged the standard Sprint card rate for calling the US.

BTW: Unrelated, but related... Alot of +800 (international country code 800 numbers are starting to work with the US phone system now)

I am charged the regular Switzerland-USA telefon fees.

I have to dial 001-800-

Dialling from the UK to 1-800 numbers in the USA I often get a message to the effect that "your call cannot be connected for free to this number from your location, please hang up, or wait to be connected at your usual phone service providers rates to this location".

I'm going to try that 1-880 code some time though . . .

I won't be free, you know. It just bypasses the 800 number issue if there is one.

Calling the US from Australia I have received a similar message to kiwibigdave.

[This message has been edited by JodieD (edited 08-19-2003).]