Passport Service
Passport Service
+ USD$10 call credit
$54.00
If you are a frequent international traveler, or you are traveling for a longer period of time, then the Passport service is for you.
You get a Global and US phone number that works in over 190 countries and you save up to 90% on international roaming costs!
Benefits:
- Receive a Global phone number and a United States phone number
- Includes bonus call credit
- Use in over 190 countries
- Rates from USD 49c per minute (including the United States)
- FREE to receive calls in more than 70 countries (on your Global number)
- FREE for family and friends to call you (USD 39c per minute surcharge applies)
- FREE to receive text messages (on your Global number)
- Receive a Free online Travel Journal and Map of your Trip
- Connection fee of USD 35c
- Prepaid Data in 150 countries from $0.49 per MB
- Easy to use voicemail and call-forwarding
- Easy to set up forwarding of your existing number
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Send international text messages from USD 69c each
- Recharge minutes anytime via the phone or web, or enable auto-recharge
- It is prepaid, so no contracts, no credit checks and no monthly fees
- View call records and receipts online
- Get FREE Facebook notifications
Both Standard SIM cards and Micro SIM cards are available for purchase. Many new phones such as the iPhone 4 and the iPad require Micro SIM cards. For more information click here. There is an option to select a Micro SIM card during Step 1 of the purchase process.
User guide | Rates | Features | Prepaid Data | Getting started | Making calls | Receiving calls | Recharge | Customer service | Service life | Handset compatibility | Tips
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 |
| $0.49 | $0.84 | FREE | $0.69 | $0.29 | |
| $0.49 | $0.84 | $0.09 | $0.69 | $0.29 | |
| $0.79 | $1.14 | $0.49 | $0.69 | $0.39 | |
| $1.49 | $1.84 | $1.29 | $0.69 | $1.19 | |
| $2.49 | $2.84 | $2.29 | $0.69 → $0.79 | $2.29 | |
| $3.69 | $4.04 | $3.29 | $0.99 | $3.29 |
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 1) to a landline in any other country is $0.49 USD per minute and to a mobile phone is $0.84 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 USD 35c connection fee applies to each call made (from all Zones) or received (outside Zone 1).
* The cost of calling a cell phone in the United States and Canada is the same as calling a landline.
¶ There is a 19c per minute surcharge to receive calls on your US +1 number in all countries.
» It costs 10c per text message to receive text messages on your US +1 number in all countries.
^ In the United States you must enter 3 followed by the PIN when turning your phone on. Failure to follow these steps will result in you being charged a higher rate.
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.
Rates are based on kilobytes of data used, and start from $0.49 per MB (or 4.8c per 100KB). The minimum charge is for 100KB and usage is charged in increments of 10KB. View rates for all countries
Sending a photo via email or MMS using phone with a VGA camera will use 100KB of data in many cases and will cost approximately 5c in United Kingdom, 25c in Australia and $1.00 in Mexico.
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.
Charges apply.
To change your greeting message, dial 732 from your phone and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
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 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 191 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 and press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
You will be connected to 24/7 Customer Service.
Charges apply.
Toll-free calling
This feature can be used to let your family and friends call you from landlines, payphones and US and Canada cell phones at no charge to themselves, saving them the cost of a call. To call you, they just need to dial a toll-free number, provided by you, and enter your phone number. You will be charged a USD$0.39 per minute surcharge to receive the call, in addition to the incoming per minute call rate for the country where you are.
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 calling 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).
To disable, dial 103, then press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen).
Facebook Notifications
You can link your international phone service to your Facebook account:
Comments left on your Facebook wall by Family and Friends will automatically be sent to you via text message for free. There is a limit of 20 free messages per day.
Your replies to these text messages will be posted on your Facebook wall. You will be charged the standard text message rate.
You can post updates to your Facebook wall simply by sending the update via text message to 8888. You will be charged the standard text message rate.
Click Here for more information
Getting Started
Your Global phone number and PIN are printed on the SIM card. Please keep the credit card sized SIM card holder in your purse or wallet. Your service is already active for you. When you receive your package, you should:
- Insert the SIM card.
* The SIM card is already inserted into your phone if you ordered one from us. The SIM card is the small chip card located in the back of the phone. It allows you to connect to the network. - Attach the fully charged battery to the phone.
- Turn the phone on.
* Refer to your handset user guide on how to turn it on. - When prompted for the PIN, enter the 4-digit PIN printed on your SIM card and press OK. In the United States and Canada enter 3 followed by the 4-digit PIN and press OK. In some small countries or if you can't get coverage enter 2 followed by the PIN and press OK.
- These countries include: Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Montserrat, Nepal, San Marino, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tonga, Vanuatu, Zambia
- 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.
- 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. You can also get your US number two other ways:
- Online. Visit www.rechargeminutes.com
- Click on "Get Number" at the top.
- Enter your Global phone number printed on the SIM card and your 4 digit PIN and click on the "Get Number" button.
- On the next page click on the "Get US Number".
- Your new number will be displayed on the screen. Please take note of it.
- Using our self service phone menu. Using a landline (home phone) or payphone (have pen and paper handy!):
- 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
- When prompted enter your Global phone number (starts with 44), then press 2 to activate.
- Your US Number will be announced over the phone and will also be sent to you via text message.
- Dial the toll-free number of the country where you are calling from:
Making Calls
Using this service is a little different from normal calling but so easy!
- Turn your phone on and when prompted for the PIN, enter the 4-digit PIN printed on your SIM card and press OK. In Canada and the United States, enter 3 followed by the PIN and press OK. In some small countries or if you can't get coverage enter 2 followed by the PIN and press OK (refer to Getting Started for a list of these countries).
- 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 - 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.
- 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#
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 (Toll-free calling)
You're about to travel, but your family and friends think that since you are traveling the world it will be too hard and too expensive to call you. Toll-free calling is the answer! Toll-free calling makes it easy for family and friends to call you from landlines, payphones and US and Canada Cell Phones at no charge to them.
Here's what to do:
- Give your family and friends your Passport service phone number.
- They dial our toll free numbers from a landline, payphone or US or Canada Cell Phone
US & Canada - 1-866-305-6462
Australia - 1-800-261-038
France - 0805-101-177
Germany - 0800-000-6485
United Kingdom - 0800-376-5637 - They listen to the prompts and enter your number.
- 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 if they are using a landline, payphone or US or Canada Cell Phone. You will be charged a USD$0.39 per minute surcharge to receive the call, in addition to the incoming per minute call rate for the country where you are.
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.
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
Using a landline, hotel or payphone (toll free call)
- Dial the toll free access number for the country you are in.
- Enter your phone number then press the hash key.
- Press 1 to recharge using the Self-service phone menu.
- 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 Passport service phone (the call is free)
- Dial 191 from your phone
- Outside the USA and UK, please wait for the call back (ignoring any messages on the screen), answer the call normally and after 10-15 seconds your call will be connected. In the USA and the UK, this call connects directly.
- Follow the voice prompts to recharge your account.
Via 24/7 Customer Service (charges apply)
- Dial 154 from your phone
- Outside the USA and UK, please wait for the call back (ignoring any messages on the screen), answer the call normally and after 10-15 seconds your call will be connected. In the USA and the UK, this call connects directly.
- 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.
Contacting Customer service
From landlines, hotels and payphones:
- Dial the access number for the country you are in.
- 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 (charges apply):
- Dial 154 from your phone
- Outside the USA and UK, please wait for the call back (ignoring any messages on the screen), answer the call normally and after 10-15 seconds your call will be connected. In the USA and the UK, this call connects directly.
- Follow the voice prompts to speak with Customer Service
User guide
Download a print-friendly version of the user guide.
User guide (395KB PDF file)
Service life
Your Service will remain active indefinitely if you 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 your 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, or purchase a new SIM card from Customer Service after fifteen (15) months.
US number expiry terms 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).
Handset compatibility
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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