Global Premium Service

If you are going on vacation or holiday overseas then the Global Premium service is for you.

You get both a Global and a USA phone number that works in over 160 countries and you save up to 90% on international roaming costs!

Save up to 70% on international roaming rates and avoid the hidden costs of roaming (such as receiving calls, listening to voicemail and calling Customer Service).

Make it easy for family and friends to keep in touch - it is free for them to call you!

Benefits:

  • Includes bonus call credit
  • Use in over 160 countries
  • FREE to receive calls in France, Italy, Spain and the UK (on your Global Number)
  • FREE for family and friends to call you (30 minutes free of surcharge)
  • FREE to listen to voicemail from over 60 countries
  • FREE to call 24/7 Customer Service from over 60 countries
  • FREE to receive text messages (on your Global Number)
  • Receive a Free online Travel Journal and Map of your Trip
  • No connection fees
  • Prepaid Data in 110 countries from $2.50 per MB
  • Send international text messages from USD 79c each
  • Recharge minutes anytime via the phone or web, or enable auto-recharge
  • Frequent users receive 25% bonus calling time
  • It is prepaid, so no contracts, no credit checks and no monthly fees
  • View call records and receipts online
  • Easy to use call forwarding
  • Easy to set up forwarding of your existing number
  • Receive a Global +44 (United Kingdom) phone number and a United States +1 phone number


This product is no longer sold in the UK. Please purchase the Global Travel product instead.

User guide | Rates | Coverage | Features | Prepaid Data | Getting started | Making calls | Receiving calls | Recharge | Customer service | Service life | Handset compatibility | Tips

User guide

Download a print-friendly version of the user guide.

User guide (903KB PDF file)

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Rates

International Calls and International Roaming

Calling from
Per minute rate to call a landline or a US Cell Phone
Per minute rate to call a mobile *
Per minute rate to receive a call ¶
Rate to send a text message
Per minute rate to call Customer Service or listen to voicemail
Zone 1a$0.99$1.49FREE$0.79FREE
Zone 1b$0.99$1.49$0.89$0.79FREE
Zone 2$1.39$1.89$1.19$0.79$0.26
Zone 3$2.39$2.89$1.99$0.79$1.00
Zone 4$3.49$3.99$2.99$0.79$2.50
Zone 5$4.49$4.99$3.99$0.99$3.50

Determine the zone for the country you are traveling to and use the table above to find the applicable rate. A per minute surcharge applies to call some non-key countries. *View applicable countries

For example
- The cost of a call from the United Kingdom (zone 1a) to a landline in any other country is $0.99 USD per minute. - The cost to receive a call when you are in France on your Global +44 number (zone 1a) - nothing!

All rates quoted in US dollars. You are billed in 1 minute increments. A connection fee does not apply.
* The cost of calling a cell phone in the United States and Canada is the same as calling a landline.
¶ There is a 30c per minute surcharge to receive calls on your US +1 number in zone 1a.
» It costs 15c per text message to receive text messages on your US +1 number in all countries.
^ In the United States and Canada you must enter 2 followed by the PIN when turning your phone on. Failure to do so will result in you being charged rates applicable to Zone 4.

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Coverage

Make calls from over 160 countries

There is also coverage on over 280 Cruise ships and Ferries.

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Features

Voicemail
Voicemail is automatically enabled. An inbound caller will be directed to voicemail if the call is not answered within 30 seconds, if the phone is switched off or if there is no coverage. A text message will be sent to notify you of a new voicemail.

To listen to voicemail, dial 121 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
The messages will be played in order of last received. No charge applies in zone 1a or zone 1b.

To change your greeting message, dial 732 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen). No charge applies.

To disable voicemail, dial 866 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
To enable voicemail, dial 869 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).

Balance inquiry
Dial 187 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
The account balance will be sent in a text message.
No charge applies.

Recharge minutes
Dial 181 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
You will be connected to the Self service recharge menu. Have your credit card handy.
No charge applies.

Customer service
Dial 154 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
You will be connected to 24/7 Customer Service.
No charge applies in zone 1a or zone 1b.

Toll-free calling
This feature can be used to let your family and friends call you at no charge to themselves, saving them the cost of a call. To call you, they just dial a toll-free number provided by you and enter your phone number. You will be charged a USD $0.49 per minute surcharge to receive the call, in addition to the incoming per minute call rate for the country you are in. Your Global Premium service includes a total of 30 minutes free of surcharge to use this feature.

To enable, dial 373 and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
To disable, dial 282 and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
Please note a call is not made. You will receive a message saying Toll Free Forwarding is either enabled or disabled.

Auto-recharge
Auto-recharge automatically recharges your account with USD$30 when your balance falls below USD$5. The automatic recharge is instantaneous and you receive a text message when it occurs.
Enable or disable Auto-recharge at any time by signing into your account online or by calling Customer service. You can also change the minimum balance and the charge amount.

To enable, dial 171 and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
To disable, dial 393 and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
Please note a call is not made. You will receive a message saying Auto Recharge is either enabled or disabled.

Call forwarding
Calls to your phone number may be forwarded to any other number. You will be charged the standard rate for zone 1 landline or mobile, depending on whether the call is forwarded to a landline or mobile phone, and if a surcharge applies.

To enable, dial 102+ followed by the country code and number you wish to forward to (for example 102+18582742686), then press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
Turn disable, dial 103, then press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).

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Prepaid Data services

Prepaid Data is available for customers with applicable phones who wish to read and send emails and access the Internet using their mobile phone while traveling. Find out more about coverage and configuring your phone for data.

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Getting Started

Your phone numbers and PIN are printed on the enclosed letter. Please read the letter carefully and keep in a safe place. Your service is already active for you. When you receive your package, you should:

  1. Check that the SIM card is correctly inserted and secure.
    * The SIM card is already inserted into your phone if you ordered one. The SIM card is the small chip card located in the back of the phone. It allows you to connect to the network.

  2. Attach the fully charged battery to the phone.

  3. Turn the phone on.
    * Refer to your handset user guide on how to turn it on.

  4. Outside the United States enter 1 followed by the 4-digit PIN and press OK. In the United States enter 2 followed by the 4-digit PIN and press OK.
    • When the phone registers with an available network (this will take 30-120 seconds) it is ready for use.
    • Your PIN code is a four digit code printed on the plastic credit card sized SIM card and on the enclosed letter.
    • Please enter the PIN correctly. The service will be blocked if the PIN is entered incorrectly 3 times. If your SIM is blocked you will have to contact Customer service to unblock it.

Get US Number
When you turn your phone on and pick up a network in the United States for the first time using this service, your US Number will be automatically sent to you via text message. If you wish to obtain a US number before you travel, you can get it in one of two ways:

  1. Online. Visit www.rechargeminutes.com
    1. Click on "Get US Number" at the top.
    2. Enter your Global phone number (starts with 44) and your 4 digit PIN (printed on the SIM card) and click on the "Get US Number" button.
    3. On the next page click on the "Get US Number" button.
    4. Your new USA number will be displayed on the screen. Please take note of it.

  2. Using our self service phone menu. Using a landline (home phone) or payphone (have pen and paper handy!):
    1. Dial the toll-free number of the country where you are calling from:
      • In the US or Canada dial 1-888-513-8804
      • In the United Kingdom dial 0800-376-2370
      • In Australia dial 1800-795-252
      • For the Rest of the World (international call charges apply) dial +1 213 337 5525

    2. When prompted enter your Global phone number (starts with 44), then press 2 to activate.
    3. Your US Number will be announced over the phone and will also be sent to you via text message.
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Making Calls

Making calls with this service is a little different from normal calling but so easy!

  1. Turn your phone on and when prompted for the PIN, if you are outside the United States, enter 1 followed by your 4-digit PIN and press OK. In the United States enter 2 followed by the 4-digit PIN and press OK.
  2. Dial the country code (1 for the US and Canada, 44 for the United Kingdom, 61 for Australia), area code and phone number.
    Example: To call (213) 337-5555 in the United States you need to dial 12133375555
  3. Press the call key and please wait. Ignore any messages shown on your screen. You will be disconnected for 10 to 30 seconds, and then your phone will call back.
  4. Answer the call normally. Your call will be connected after a few seconds.

^ If the call back does not happen, please refer to the following section on Prefix dialing.

Prefix dialing (how to make a call when call back does not occur)

If you are trying to make a call and the call back does not occur or if you hear a message saying the call cannot be completed, please do the following:

Dial *126* followed by the country code (1 in the United States), area code and phone number, followed by #.
If you wish to call 03 9010 0225 in Australia, dial *126*61390100225#
If you wish to call 0207-943-2772 in the UK, dial *126*442079432772#
If you wish to call 213-337-5555 in the US, dial *126*12133375555#

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Receiving calls - plus how family and friends can call you toll free

How to receive a call

Just like at home…when your phone rings simply answer the call.

Family and friends can call you for free

You're about to travel overseas and your family and friends think that it will be too hard and too expensive to call you. Toll-free calling is the answer! It makes it easy for family and friends to call you at no charge to them.

Here's what to do:

  1. Give your family and friends your Global Premium service phone number.
  2. They dial our toll free numbers from a landline or payphone

    US & Canada - 1-866-305-6462
    Australia - 1-800-261-038
    France - 0805-101-177
    Germany - 0800-000-6485
    United Kingdom - 0800-376-5637

  3. They listen to the prompts and enter your number.
  4. Your phone will ring and you're chatting away - at no cost to your family or friends. And if you don't answer, they can leave you a voicemail.

Your family or friends will not be charged. You will be charged a USD$0.49 per minute surcharge to receive the call, in addition to the incoming per minute call rate for the country where you are. Your Global Premium service includes a total of 30 minutes free of surcharge to use this feature.

Please note: Family and friends will need to have international text messaging enabled on their cell phone accounts in order for them to send a text message to your Global +44 number. However they can send a text message to your US +1 number as per normal.

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Recharging your account

Buying more calling time is simple. Use your American Express, Mastercard or VISA card to add USD $30, $50, $100, $150 or $200 to your account.

There are five easy ways to recharge your account.

Using the website

Recharge online now!

Using a landline, hotel or payphone (toll free call)

  1. Dial the toll free access number for the country you are in.
  2. Enter your phone number then press the hash key.
  3. Press 1 to recharge using the Self-service phone menu.
  4. Follow the voice prompts to recharge your account.

Note: a per minute rate applies to call a toll-free access number from your mobile phone.

Using your Global Premium service phone (the call is free)

  1. Dial 181 from your phone
  2. Press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen), and wait for the call back.
  3. Answer the call normally.
    After 10-15 seconds your call will be connected.
  4. Follow the voice prompts to recharge your account.

Via 24/7 Customer Service (the call is free in zone 1 countries)

  1. Dial 154 from your phone
  2. Press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen), and wait for the call back.
  3. Answer the call normally.
    After 10-15 seconds your call will be connected.
  4. Follow the voice prompts to speak with Customer Service.

Using Auto-Recharge

Auto-recharge automatically recharges your account with USD$30 when your balance falls below USD$5.

Enable or disable Auto-recharge at any time by signing into your account online, by calling Customer Service or by dialing a short number on your phone (refer to Features). You can also change the minimum balance and the charge amount.

The automatic recharge is instantaneous and you receive a text message when it occurs.

Bonus calling time for Frequent users

If you spend more than USD$200 on calling time you become a frequent user. As a frequent user, you will receive 25% bonus calling time each time you recharge your minutes!

For example, if you have already used USD$200 worth of minutes and you recharge your account for another USD$100, you will receive an additional USD$25 of calling time FREE.

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Contacting Customer service

From landlines, hotels and payphones:

  1. Dial the access number for the country you are in.
  2. Press 0# to speak to Customer Service.
    Press 0 for English
    Press 1 for French
    Press 2 for German
    Press 3 for Portuguese
    Press 4 for Spanish
    Press 5 for Japanese
    Press 6 for Italian

Note: a per minute rate applies to call a toll-free access number from your mobile phone.

From your mobile phone (the call is free from zone 1 countries):

  1. Dial 154 from your phone
  2. Press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen), and wait for the call back.
  3. Answer the call normally.
    After 10-15 seconds your call will be connected.
  4. Follow the voice prompts to speak with Customer Service

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Service life

Your Service will remain active indefinitely if you:

  • add a minimum of USD $10 call credit at the time of purchase or within one month of your initial use of the service and
  • use a charged service (such as making a call, or sending a text message) within any six month period.

We will send you an email and text message notification one week in advance of your Service becoming inactive. If you Service does become inactive, all your remaining credit (including the credit that comes included with the SIM) will expire. However, we will automatically re-instate your full expired credit balance (including any remaining initial included call credit) if you recharge your account with $30 or more via Customer Service within fifteen (15) months of last use.

After fifteen (15) months of inactivity your SIM card will be permanently deactivated. However, we will provide you with full credit for your expired credit balance (including any remaining initial included call credit) if you purchase a new SIM card via Customer Service.

After 2 months of inactivity your US number may be changed when you go to use it again. If it has changed you will receive the new US number via text message. You can ensure that you retain your US number indefinitely by paying USD $0.50 per month for each number. Simply visit www.rechargeminutes.com, click on the 'Get number' menu option, enter your number and PIN, and click on the 'Keep Number' button (in the Account status section).

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Handset compatibility

This service works with virtually all handsets. If you have difficulty using the service in your handset, please see our Buying Tips for information on handset frequencies and how to unlock your handset.

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Tips

Making calls

  • Before you go, enter all your phone numbers into the address book of your new mobile handset for quick and easy dialing when you are traveling.
  • Enter all phone numbers in the international format, starting with the country code (1 for the US), area code (without the leading 0) and phone number.
    For example 12133375555, if the number is(213)337-5555 in the US; 61390100225 if the number is 03-9010-0225 in Australia; etc.
  • If you are using Prefix dialing, make sure you enter # at the end of the number.
    For example to call 0207-943-2772 in the UK, you would dial *126*442079432772#.
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This product is no longer sold in the UK. Please purchase the Global Travel product instead.