The use of prepaid phone cards offers customers a lot of advantages over more traditional calling methods. With using prepaid phone cards, you can save a lot of money, since with prepaid cards, phone bills can be cut by up to 50 of phone cards are promotional freebies that are snapped up by collectors.

But during the past year, the biggest growth in this $2 billion industry has come from sales to consumers who've discovered that prepaid cards are a convenient and relatively inexpensive way to make long-distance calls away from home and office. However, with some cards there may be hidden costs associated with calling from public places such as hotels. In some instances, the cards expire after three months.

How to make the most out of your prepaid phone card

In better finding a reputable, and efficient prepaid phone card, here are two suggestions that would be very helpful in getting the best service, at the best price.

Check for hidden, inflated costs

Be on the lookout for hidden costs. The biggest issue with prepaid phone cards and one where many people have difficulty with are the hidden and somewhat inflated charges. Reading terms and conditions may be mundane and boring, but they are there for good reason and usually, any extra costs with a card would be clearly listed in the terms and conditions.

Look for a reputable phone card provider

The prepaid phone card industry is stil filled with unscrpulous operators; however, tighter security guidelines have helped clean it up significantly. Check a company's site recommendations. Scan the Internet and look for security seals and reviews such as from the Better Business Bureau. It would be good if a company has a live customer support base. Avoid dealing with email-only companies and if you do, send them an email and and say you need a response within 24 hours.

Choosing which phone card to buy and use can be a major headache, as there are aplenty in th emarket today. As new issuers continually enter the market, pricing is all over the board, and consumer protection is usually spotty at times.

If you're having problems with a card, try to work it out with the reseller, or parent firm. Should that fails, contact your local Better Business Bureau or state telephone utility regulatory agency. If ever you're dealing with out-of-state businesses, file an informal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission, or The International Telecard Association for overseas clients.

Prepaid phone cards will save you money in the long run, but perform a little due diligence initially and you'll have a happy and hassle-free experience using them.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor