Calling Canada?

[MsBren]

My mom was trying to call Canada and received a recorded message that her number is restricted or something similar. I thought calls to Canada and Mexico were part of TracFone calling that didn't require international long distance? I've never used my TracFone to call outside of the us, so I wouldn't know.

[sillyette]

My mom was trying to call Canada and received a recorded message that her number is restricted or something similar. I thought calls to Canada and Mexico were part of TracFone calling that didn't require international long distance? I've never used my TracFone to call outside of the us, so I wouldn't know.

Looks like international calling is an "extra" now - https://extras.tracfone.com/en/ild

I don't think this was always the case. Someone I know, who was disgruntled with TF, used up his remaining balance by calling some random international numbers. This was a few years ago.

Edit - wait, maybe it's still free. That same page says - "Basic International comes with your Tracfone" and lists Canada as included.

So who knows what's going on with TF as usual.

[hpham]

Edit - wait, maybe it's still free. That same page says - "Basic International comes with your Tracfone" and lists Canada as included.

I checked into this a few years ago (my brother lives in Australia). With TF "Basic International", you can call certain countries (cellphone & landline numbers in some countries; landline only in some countries) using your talk minutes. With TF "Global Calling", you buy a Global Calling Card and use it call many countries (cellphone & landline numbers) and get charged the per-minute-rate which varies among countries.

[MsBren]

I remember reading with the old feature phones you had to dial a access code or something? Can't imagine that still applies.

[hpham]

I remember reading with the old feature phones you had to dial a access code or something? Can't imagine that still applies.

You still do if using Basic International according to This Site (scroll down to Basic International), even from a smartphone.

[MsBren]

You still do if using Basic International according to This Site (scroll down to Basic International), even from a smartphone.

Thanks for link, I just checked it out and the basic international can't be used with unlimited talk and text plans .Am I reading that correctly? My mom has one of the unlimited talk and text plans so if that's the case she won't be able to use that. I also noticed no mention of Canada, just Mexico. I guess she might need a global calling card? Seems odd.

[hpham]

I just checked it out and the basic international can't be used with unlimited talk and text plans .Am I reading that correctly? Seems odd.

It's logical. With Basic International, they deduct minutes from your talk bucket. If you have Unlimited plan that would mean unlimited international calls. International calls usually cost more than domestic calls and the cost of unlimited international calls would be too much for them.

[MsBren]

[QUOTE=hpham;17220047]It's logical. With Basic International, they deduct minutes from your talk bucket. If you have Unlimited plan that would mean unlimited international calls. International calls usually cost more than domestic calls and the cost of unlimited international calls would be too much for them.[/QUOT

Good point, hadn't thought of that. I guess she can get a global calling card. She doesn't do internet stuff, no email, so she would have to buy it somewhere.

[hapollo8]

according to this:

https://extras.tracfone.com/en/ild#bi-destinations

Just start using it by dialing 305‑938‑5673 or 1‑800‑706‑3839

does that mean one dials an access number instead of dialing direct 011xxxx ?

UPDATE: Yep, 2 step process IF it works and Seem you can dial directly from withn the APP but I lost access to my account last week with constant "RESPONSE FAILURES"

THEN: it seems the links for the app on the international page is for MY ACCOUNT but the app you need is the INTERNATIONAL Dialer

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tracfo...r/id1481265636

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...hl=en_US&gl=US

Another convoluted TF procedure.

[LittleBear916]

You could always get Skype and then prepay credits to call Canada through the app............... Whats app another alternative.

[tomseys]

To access Tracfone's free international service and the additional service that is available when you purchase the $10 global calling card (which gives you access to more destinations and cell numbers), dial the access number (set it up as a speed dial favorite) from your Tracfone device and then enter 011, the country code, city code and destination number when prompted.

For Canada specifically, which is included in TF's free international service, you dial 1, city code and phone number when prompted.

If Tracfone's free long distance service is working properly on your account, after you call in using either the 305 938-5673 or 800‑706‑3839 access number, you should be greeted with a voice prompt that answers something like.. "welcome to Tracfone, please dial 011, the country code.... etc" . If you purchased the $10 global calling card as well, it usually answers " your current balance is 10 credits... welcome to tracfone, please dial 011" etc.

If you call one of the access numbers from your tracfone and you get a different greeting, like that you are restriced etc, try the other access number. If one works, set it as a favorite speed dial. If both numbers don't work there may be an issue with free international service working properly on the account/line. The TF corp office (305 640-2000 x1029) may be able to fix it.

I have found buying the $10 global calling card (which I've had on three phones for years..including a friends... hardly use it), will usually instantly fix problems with the access number not working properly on a phone. As an aside, according to the TF site, if you use the global calling card credits for a destination it services you may need to enter a text to validate the call to protect against fraud.

I'm not very familiar with the Tracfone international app. IIRC, with the app there may be a way to set up international speed dial numbers so one press dials the complete number. Not sure if it works. On the Tracfone site there is a function for creating international speed dial numbers ("Frequent Numbers") but I've never found it to work properly from the site in the past (without having to call corporate for a tedious manual setup which may not stick) so I just speed dial the access number and then enter the whole number (011+coutry code+city code+destination number etc) as needed. But one may want to look at both of these options for complete international speed dial number creation if that is what one wants.

I don't really use Tracfone long distance service much lately at all (I sometimes use a card for a specific country) but it does work on my end on all my phones.

Of course with Tracfone and a given country, ymmv.

[Boz1]

You could always get Skype and then prepay credits to call Canada through the app............... Whats app another alternative.

Also, Google Voice can call Canada for no cost.

But calls to Canada should be included with TF service.

[Tracfancier]

With major player Verizon now owning Tracfone, more free international calling should be one of the "improvements" that Verizon promised with their acquisition of Tracfone.

[MsBren]

I guess my mom decided to call TracFone, she purchased a global calling card but said she couldn't understand what the rep was telling her about the global calling card and then the heavy accent, threw her for a loop. I wish she had waited, I told her I was going to help her with it. Boy parents are difficult!

[MsBren]

With major player Verizon now owning Tracfone, more free international calling should be one of the "improvements" that Verizon promised with their acquisition of Tracfone.

There doesn't appear to be many improvement in general just a lot of struggling.