Have you ever found yourself needing to call loved ones or business associates overseas, only to be hit with exorbitant international calling rates? Or perhaps you've been searching for a way to stay connected while traveling abroad without breaking the bank? If so, Verizon's Global Choice plan might be the perfect solution for you! It's designed to make international communication more affordable and convenient.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Verizon Global Choice, from understanding its benefits to activating it on your line and making your first international call. Let's dive in!
Understanding Verizon Global Choice: Your Gateway to Affordable International Calls
Verizon Global Choice is an add-on feature that allows you to make international calls from the U.S. to a specific country at a reduced rate, often with a bundle of minutes included. It's particularly beneficial if you frequently call one specific international destination.
What sets it apart? Unlike some other international plans that offer blanket discounts to many countries, Global Choice focuses on providing a generous allocation of minutes to one primary country of your choosing, coupled with discounted rates to a wider range of other destinations. It's a sweet spot for those with a consistent calling pattern to a particular region.
 |
| How To Use Global Choice Verizon |
Key Benefits of Verizon Global Choice:
Cost Savings: Significantly reduces the per-minute cost of international calls to your chosen country.
Generous Minutes: Offers a substantial bundle of minutes each month to your selected country.
Discounted Rates Beyond: Provides discounted rates to over 220 other countries, ensuring you're covered for other international calls as well.
Unlimited Mexico & Canada: Enjoy unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada, which is a fantastic perk for North American connectivity.
Simplicity: Easy to add and manage through My Verizon.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Verizon Global Choice
Ready to connect globally? Follow these steps to activate and utilize your Verizon Global Choice plan.
Step 1: Discover If Global Choice is Right for You (Engage the User!)
Before we jump into activation, let's figure out if Global Choice is truly your best option!
Ask yourself: Do you frequently call one specific country internationally from the U.S.? Or do you call Mexico and Canada often? If you answered "yes" to either, Global Choice is likely a strong contender.
Consider your usage: How many minutes do you typically use when calling your primary international destination? Global Choice typically offers up to 300 minutes per month for your chosen country (though some sources mention 180 minutes for prepaid, so always double-check the latest offering on Verizon's official site).
Compare with other options: Verizon also offers "Global Calling Plus" ($15/month for unlimited calls to landlines in 60+ countries and mobiles in 30+ countries, plus discounted rates to 160+ other countries) and "Global Calling" ($5/month for unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada, plus discounted rates to 220+ countries). If your calling patterns are more diverse than one primary country, one of these might be better suited. If you're traveling abroad, remember that Global Choice is for calls from the U.S. to international numbers. For international roaming, you'll need TravelPass or a monthly international plan.
If Global Choice seems like a good fit, proceed to the next step!
Step 2: Activating Verizon Global Choice on Your Account
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
Activating Global Choice is straightforward. You have a couple of convenient options:
Sub-step 2.1: Activating via My Verizon App or Online
This is often the quickest and most recommended method.
Log In: Open the My Verizon app on your smartphone or go to the Verizon website (verizon.com) and log in to your account.
Navigate to International Plans: Look for sections like "Add-ons," "Plans & Devices," or "International." The exact wording might vary slightly, but you're looking for where you can manage your plan features.
Find Global Choice: Browse through the available international calling plans and locate "Global Choice."
Select Your Country: This is crucial! You'll be prompted to select the specific country you wish to designate as your "Global Choice" country. Choose the one you call most frequently.
Confirm and Add: Review the details, including the monthly cost (typically $10 per line per month) and the included minutes. Confirm to add the plan to your line.
Sub-step 2.2: Activating via Text Message
For a quick activation, you can also use text message keywords.
Identify Keyword: Verizon provides a specific keyword for each country. For example, to add Global Choice for Argentina, you would text "Argentina" to 4004. You can find a list of these keywords on Verizon's international calling pages.
Send the Text: Open your messaging app and send the keyword for your desired country (e.g., Argentina) to the number 4004.
Confirm Activation: You should receive a confirmation text message once the plan is successfully added to your line.
Important Note: Adding Global Choice will replace any existing international calling plan you might have on that specific line. Ensure your account has been active for at least 34 days and is in good standing to add this feature.
Step 3: Making International Calls with Global Choice
Once Global Choice is active, making international calls is surprisingly simple.
Sub-step 3.1: Dialing International Numbers (Standard Format)
For most international calls from the U.S., you'll use the following dialing format:
Dial 011: This is the international exit code for calls originating from the U.S.
Enter the Country Code: Each country has a unique country code (e.g., 44 for the United Kingdom, 91 for India).
Enter the Local Phone Number: This is the specific phone number of the person or business you're trying to reach, including any area codes within that country.
Press Call: Your call should now connect!
Example: To call a number in London, UK (country code 44), you would dial: 011 44 [London Area Code] [Local Phone Number]
QuickTip: Don’t rush through examples.
Sub-step 3.2: Utilizing the "+" Symbol on Smartphones
Modern smartphones offer a more convenient way to dial international numbers:
Press and Hold "0": On your smartphone's keypad, press and hold the "0" key until a "+" symbol appears. This "+" automatically acts as the international exit code.
Enter the Country Code: Follow the "+" with the destination country's code.
Enter the Local Phone Number: Input the local phone number, including any area codes.
Press Call: Your smartphone will handle the correct dialing sequence.
Example: To call the same London number using the "+" method: +44 [London Area Code] [Local Phone Number]
Pro Tip: If you're calling a country that uses 10-digit dialing (like Canada or some Caribbean nations), you can often dial those numbers directly without the 011 or + and country code, just like a domestic U.S. call. However, using the full international format (+ Country Code + Number) is always a safe bet and ensures proper routing.
Step 4: Monitoring Your Global Choice Usage
Staying on top of your minutes is essential to avoid unexpected charges.
Access My Verizon: Log in to your My Verizon account (app or online).
Check International Usage: Navigate to the section related to your international plans or usage. You should be able to see your remaining Global Choice minutes for your selected country and track any pay-as-you-go usage to other destinations.
Set Alerts: Consider setting up usage alerts within My Verizon if available, so you're notified when you're approaching your minute allowance.
Remember: Once you exceed your included minutes for your chosen country, you'll be charged at a reduced per-minute rate specific to that country. Calls to other countries will be charged at their respective discounted rates.
Step 5: Managing and Modifying Your Global Choice Plan
Life changes, and so might your international calling needs.
Sub-step 5.1: Changing Your Global Choice Country
If you start calling a different country more frequently, you can usually change your designated Global Choice country.
Log In to My Verizon: Access your account online or through the app.
Modify International Plan: Go to the section where you manage your international add-ons.
Select New Country: You should see an option to modify or change your Global Choice country. Select your new primary destination.
Confirm Changes: Review and confirm the update. Keep in mind that changing your country will reset your monthly minute allowance for the new selection.
Sub-step 5.2: Removing Global Choice
Tip: Scroll slowly when the content gets detailed.
If you no longer need Global Choice, you can easily remove it.
Log In to My Verizon: Access your account online or through the app.
Remove Add-on: Navigate to your plan add-ons and select the option to remove Global Choice.
Confirm Removal: Confirm the removal. Be aware of your billing cycle to ensure you remove it at the appropriate time to avoid unwanted charges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Verizon Global Choice
Here are 10 common questions about Verizon Global Choice, along with their quick answers:
How to check my Global Choice minute balance?
You can check your Global Choice minute balance by logging into your My Verizon app or your My Verizon account online and navigating to the international usage or plan details section.
How to add Global Choice to a specific line on my account?
You can add Global Choice to a specific line by logging into My Verizon, going to "Plans & Devices" or "Add-ons," and selecting the line you wish to modify before adding the Global Choice feature.
How to find the country keyword for texting to activate Global Choice?
You can find the country keywords for texting activation on Verizon's official international calling support pages or by contacting Verizon customer service.
How to know if Global Choice covers the country I want to call?
Global Choice covers your chosen country with bundled minutes and offers discounted rates to over 220 other destinations. You can verify specific country coverage and rates on the Verizon International Calling page.
Tip: Avoid distractions — stay in the post.
How to dial an international number if I'm using an older phone without a '+' symbol?
If your phone doesn't have a '+' symbol, you'll need to dial '011' as the international exit code before the country code and local number.
How to cancel Verizon Global Choice?
You can cancel Verizon Global Choice by logging into your My Verizon account (app or online), navigating to your add-ons, and selecting the option to remove the Global Choice plan.
How to distinguish between Global Choice and TravelPass?
Global Choice is for making international calls from the U.S. to other countries, while TravelPass is for using your U.S. talk, text, and data allowances while traveling outside the U.S.
How to get customer support for Global Choice issues?
You can get customer support by calling Verizon customer service at 1-800-922-0204, using their online chat, or visiting a Verizon store.
How to change the selected country for Global Choice?
You can change your selected Global Choice country by logging into My Verizon (app or online) and modifying your international calling plan settings to select a new primary country.
How to ensure my device is compatible with international calling features?
Most modern Verizon smartphones are compatible. You can check your device's international compatibility using the Verizon Trip Planner tool or by contacting Verizon support.
 |
💡 This page may contain affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
