A calling card or phone card is defined as telecommunication credit card with an identification code for using a pre-selected long distance carrier. Phone cards are often considerably cheaper than collect calling, coin operated payphones or having the phone call charged to a hotel room.

Phone cards or calling cards are available in prepaid and credit (monthly billed) forms. Typically a calling card user will pick up a phone anywhere and dial a predetermined number (often Toll Free). The phone card user is then prompted for a user ID and/or a Password or both. Subsequently, the user dials the intended phone number to call and voila the call is connected.

"Cards" is a misnomer as some calling cards are available without the issue of an actual plastic "credit card" and are delivered in PIN only form.

There are many types of phone cards available in the marketplace today. In 2004 alone, over 31 billion calling card minutes were used. Below is an explanation of the most common types of cards.

Prepaid cards are a type of telecommunications credit card that have a predetermined value registered to the physical card. Value can be in minutes, units, or dollars. Typically the time based phone cards come in increments of 100, 300, 600, or 1000 minutes. Dollar based phone cards start at $5 and go up to around $300. Once used completely, they are disposable and have no value.

Another type of prepaid card is a rechargeable phone card that allows you to purchase only one card and then reload the card with minutes at anytime without having to go out and purchase another plastic card. You can instantly add more calling time using a credit card. Typically service providers have toll-free numbers or websites available in order to add minutes easily. Some carriers require that you visit their recharge centers or vending machines in order to add minutes to the card. Certain cards allow you to prepay using wire transfers or checks. Using this method of payment to recharge can take up to 15 days to clear and be activated. Many providers now also have an e-mail payment system such as PayPal. You can e-mail your payment for your airtime. MyCyberCard works as a rechargeable virtual phone card that you can recharge online or by toll-free number using your credit card. No plastic card is issued so you will need to write down your PIN in a safe place.

Credit based phone cards are normally billed monthly to your credit card. Credit based cards are usually post-paid which means you establish credit with a phone company and any minutes used are billed and collected after the calls are placed. Monthly-billed phone cards are often part of the customer's regular phone service and the cost of calls is simply added to the monthly telephone bill. This option is often extremely expensive and is used predominantly for low volume calling and for the convenience of having a consolidated phone bill.

An international phone card is one that can be used to originate a call from a variety of countries in the world. Each international calling card is different and will be restricted to use in the countries with which the phone card company has reciprocity. Be sure to check that your International Phone Card works from the country you will be visiting before you go. International calling cards are used to bypass a country's existing carriers and use the carrier of another country often with immense savings. MyCyberCard allows you to originate calls in over 10 countries throughout the world.

Instant PINs, virtual calling cards and instant phone cards are quickly becoming popular. These phone “cards” are mostly credit card based and are predominantly delivered over the Internet. You do not get a physical card. You just receive a set of access numbers and identity or PIN codes. PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. This is normally your account number and links you with the available amount of minutes left for use. Certain providers will provide you with an instant phone card (often by e-mail) provided you pay for it up front either with cash or with a credit card. You will need to memorize or write down your PIN as you will need it to access the phone card system to make your calls. Keep it in a very safe place that only you have access to. PIN robbery and Fraud occurs commonly and you should make every effort to protect your PIN. MyCyberCard is a virtual calling card system.