You're about to embark on the journey of understanding Verizon's international call rates, and trust me, it can feel like navigating a maze! But don't worry, we'll break it down step by step so you can make those international calls without any surprising bills.
Understanding Verizon's International Calling: It's Not Always a Simple Per-Minute Rate!
When it comes to international calls with Verizon, there isn't a single "per minute" rate that applies to every country and every situation. Instead, Verizon offers a variety of plans and options designed to cater to different calling habits. The cost per minute can vary wildly depending on whether you have an international calling plan, the specific country you're calling, and even whether you're calling a landline or a mobile number. Let's dive in and unravel this!
Step 1: Assess Your International Calling Needs – How Often Do You Call Overseas?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of rates, let's start with you. How frequently do you make international calls? Is it a quick chat with family once a month, or are you running a small business that requires daily calls to clients abroad?
Occasional Calls: If you only call internationally a few times a year, a pay-as-you-go rate might be sufficient, though often more expensive per minute.
Regular Calls to Specific Countries: If you frequently call a particular country or a small set of countries, a dedicated international calling plan will almost certainly save you money.
Frequent Calls to Many Countries: For those with extensive international calling needs, a more comprehensive plan offering discounted rates to a wider range of countries would be beneficial.
Understanding your usage patterns is crucial to selecting the most cost-effective option.
Step 2: Explore Verizon's International Calling Plans – Your Best Bet for Savings
Verizon offers several international calling plans that significantly reduce the per-minute cost compared to standard pay-as-you-go rates. These plans are designed to give you more predictable and affordable international communication.
Sub-heading: Global Calling ($5/month per line)
This is Verizon's most basic international calling add-on and a great starting point for many.
What you get:
Unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada from the U.S.
Discounted calling rates to over 220 countries, typically starting as low as $0.05/minute.
Who it's for: Individuals who frequently call Mexico or Canada and occasionally make calls to other international destinations.
Sub-heading: Global Choice ($10/month per line)
Global Choice offers a more tailored experience, allowing you to focus on a primary country you call.
What you get:
A bundle of minutes (e.g., 60, 120, 180, or 300 minutes, depending on the country) to a single country of your choice from a list of over 140 countries.
Reduced rates to your chosen country once you exceed your allowance.
Discounted calls to 220+ other countries (often starting at $0.05/minute), similar to the Global Calling plan.
Unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada are also included.
Who it's for: Perfect for those who have strong ties to one particular country and make regular, longer calls there, while still occasionally calling other international destinations.
Pro Tip: Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate domestic mobile phone plan might even include one Global Choice country at no additional cost! Always check your current plan details.
Sub-heading: Global Calling Plus ($15/month per line)
This plan is for the truly global communicator, offering extensive unlimited calling options.
What you get:
Unlimited calls from the U.S. to landlines in over 60 countries and mobile phones in over 30 countries. This is a significant benefit if your contacts are primarily in these included destinations.
Discounted calls to an additional 160+ countries, with rates starting from $0.05/minute.
Who it's for: Ideal for individuals or families with contacts in multiple countries covered by the "unlimited" list, and who also need discounted rates for other destinations.
Step 3: Understanding Pay-As-You-Go International Rates – The Default (and Often Pricier) Option
If you don't subscribe to any international calling plan, your calls will be charged at Verizon's standard pay-as-you-go international long distance rates. These rates are significantly higher than those offered with the plans and vary by country.
Typical Pay-As-You-Go Rates: These can start from $0.49 per minute and go much higher, sometimes even $2.00 or more per minute, depending on the destination. For example, some sources indicate basic rates for calling certain countries can be as high as $5.00/minute without a plan.
How to Find Specific Rates: To find the precise pay-as-you-go rate for a specific country, you'll need to visit Verizon's International Calling page on their website and use their rate finder tool. Simply enter the country name, and it will display the applicable per-minute rate.
Warning: A short, unscheduled international call on pay-as-you-go can quickly become a very expensive surprise on your bill! Always check rates or consider a plan if you foresee any international calling.
Step 4: How to Add an International Calling Plan to Your Verizon Account
Adding an international calling plan is straightforward and can be done in a few ways:
Sub-heading: Via My Verizon App or Online
This is generally the easiest and most recommended method.
Log In: Access your My Verizon account through the My Verizon app or by logging in on the Verizon website.
Navigate to Plans/Features: Look for sections like "Add-ons," "Manage Plans," or "International Calling."
Select Your Plan: Browse the available international calling plans (Global Calling, Global Choice, Global Calling Plus) and select the one that best suits your needs.
Confirm & Apply: Follow the prompts to confirm your selection and apply the plan to your line. The plan usually takes effect immediately or at the start of your next billing cycle.
Sub-heading: By Text Message
Verizon also offers convenient text message keywords for some plans.
Global Calling: Text the word "Global" to 4004.
Global Calling Plus: Text the word "Plus" to 4004.
Global Choice: Text the keyword for your chosen country (e.g., "India" for India) to 4004. You can find the specific country keywords on Verizon's Global Choice page.
Sub-heading: Contacting Customer Service
If you prefer speaking to someone or encounter any issues, Verizon customer service can assist you.
Dial *611 from your Verizon phone or call 1-800-922-0204.
Be ready to explain your international calling needs and the plan you wish to add.
Step 5: Making the Call – Dialing Instructions for International Calls
Once you have your plan (or are prepared for pay-as-you-go rates), making an international call is simple:
Dial "+": On most smartphones, you can press and hold the "0" key to get the "+" symbol. This automatically inserts the international access code.
Enter the Country Code: This is a 1-3 digit code unique to each country (e.g., 91 for India, 44 for the UK, 52 for Mexico).
Enter the City/Area Code (if applicable): Some countries require a city or area code after the country code.
Enter the Local Phone Number: Finally, dial the local phone number of the person you're trying to reach.
Example: To call a number in India (country code 91), you might dial: +91 [City/Area Code] [Local Number].
Step 6: Monitor Your Usage and Billing
To avoid any surprises, it's always a good idea to monitor your international call usage.
My Verizon App/Online: Your My Verizon account will show your call history and any international charges.
Alerts: Consider setting up usage alerts within your My Verizon account to notify you when you approach your plan's limits or if significant pay-as-you-go charges accumulate.
Step 7: Consider Alternatives to Traditional Calling (Voice over IP)
While Verizon offers great international calling plans, it's worth noting that many people opt for Voice over IP (VoIP) services for international communication, especially for data-heavy calls or video.
Apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Skype, Zoom: If both parties have a strong internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data), these apps allow for free or very low-cost voice and video calls.
Pros: Often free, great for video, good quality with stable internet.
Cons: Requires both parties to have the app and an internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions to help you navigate Verizon international calling:
How to find the exact per-minute rate for a specific country with Verizon?
You can find the exact per-minute rate by visiting Verizon's International Calling page on their official website and using their country-specific rate finder tool.
How to know if my current Verizon plan includes international calling to Mexico or Canada?
Most of Verizon's Unlimited domestic plans include unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada from the US. You can verify this in your My Verizon app or by checking your plan details online.
How to add an international calling plan to my Verizon line?
You can add an international calling plan through the My Verizon app or website, or by texting specific keywords (e.g., "Global" to 4004 for Global Calling) to 4004.
How to remove an international calling plan from my Verizon account?
You can usually remove an international calling plan through the My Verizon app or website in the "Add-ons" or "Features" section. It will typically be removed at the end of your current billing cycle.
How to make an international call from my Verizon phone while I'm in the US?
Dial "+" followed by the country code, then the city/area code (if applicable), and finally the local phone number.
How to avoid high international calling charges with Verizon?
The best way to avoid high charges is to subscribe to an international calling plan (Global Calling, Global Choice, or Global Calling Plus) if you make regular international calls, or use VoIP apps like WhatsApp over Wi-Fi.
How to check my international call usage on Verizon?
You can monitor your international call usage and charges by logging into your My Verizon account online or via the My Verizon app.
How to call international numbers if I'm traveling outside the US with Verizon?
If you are traveling outside the US, you'll need Verizon's international roaming plans like TravelPass or the $100 International Monthly Plan, which have different rates and inclusions for calling from abroad. This post focuses on calling from the US.
How to tell if I should get Global Calling vs. Global Choice?
Choose Global Calling if you need unlimited calls to Mexico/Canada and discounted rates to many countries. Choose Global Choice if you frequently call one specific country and want a bundle of minutes for that destination, plus discounted rates to others.
How to get help from Verizon if I'm confused about international rates?
You can contact Verizon customer service by dialing *611 from your Verizon phone, calling 1-800-922-0204, or visiting a Verizon store. They can help you assess your needs and recommend the best plan.