Global Premium Service
This service is no longer for sale, click here for our new product.
If you are going on vacation or holiday overseas then the Global Premium service is for you.
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 140 countries
- FREE to receive calls in France, Italy, Spain and the UK
- 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
- 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 United Kingdom +44 phone number
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 - for US/Canadian residents (66kb PDF file)
User guide - for UK residents (66kb PDF file)
User guide - for Australian residents (66kb PDF file)
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 |
| $0.99 | $1.49 | FREE | $0.79 | FREE | |
| $0.99 | $1.49 | $0.89 | $0.79 | FREE | |
| $1.39 | $1.89 | $1.19 | $0.79 | $0.26 | |
| $2.39 | $2.89 | $1.99 | $0.79 | $1.00 | |
| $3.49 | $3.99 | $2.99 | $0.79 | $2.50 | |
| $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 (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 mobile phone in the United States and Canada is the same as calling a landline.
Coverage
Make calls from over 140 countries
There is also coverage on over 280 Cruise ships and Ferries.
TopFeatures
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 an international 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.
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).
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
Prepaid Data is enabled for all existing and new customers.
TopGetting Started
Your Global Premium service SIM card is already active for you. Your mobile phone number and PIN are printed on the enclosed letter. Please read it carefully and keep in a safe place. When you receive your package, you should:
- 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. - Attach the fully charged battery to the phone.
- Turn the phone on.
* Refer to your handset user guide on how to turn it on. - Enter the 4-digit PIN found in your enclosed letter and press OK.
* Your PIN code is a four digit code printed 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. When the phone registers with an available network (30-120 seconds) it is ready for use.
Making Calls
Using the Global Premium service is a little different from normal calling but so easy!
Important:
- Always dial the full international phone number
- After dialing, you will be briefly disconnected and receive a call back. Answer normally like when receiving a call and wait for your call to be connected.
How to make a call
- Enter + (Hold down the + key until you see a + on your screen).
Entering '+' replaces the need to dial the international dialing code for the country you are in. - Enter the country code (1 for the US, 61 for Australia, 44 for the UK, etc), area code (without the leading 0) and phone number.
Example: To call (213)337-5555 in the US, you would dial 12133375555; to call 03-9010-0225 in Australia, you would dial 61390100225, etc. - Press the call key or similar and wait for the call back.
Ignore any messages shown on your screen. You will be disconnected for 10-30 seconds then your phone will call back. - Answer the call normally.
Your call will be connected after a few seconds. - Hang up normally once you finish the call.
Prefix dialing (how to make a call when call back does not occur)
If the call back does not occur, or if you hear a message saying the call cannot be completed, your handset may not be fully compatible. To resolve this problem, all you need to do is enter the number you wish to call prefixed with *126* followed by country code, area code (without the leading 0), phone number and #.
Example 1: if you wish to call 03 9010 0225 in Australia, you would dial *126*61390100225#
Example 2: if you wish to call 0207-943-2772 in the UK, you would dial *126*442079432772#
Example 3: if you wish to call 213-337-5555 in the US, you would 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
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:
- Give your family and friends your Global Premium service phone number.
- 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 - 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. 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.
TopRecharging 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 Global Premium service phone (the call is free)
- Dial 181 from your phone
- Press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen), and wait for the call back.
- Answer the call normally.
After 10-15 seconds your call will be connected. - Follow the voice prompts to recharge your account.
Via 24/7 Customer Service (the call is free in zone 1 countries)
- Dial 154 from your phone
- Press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen), and wait for the call back.
- Answer the call normally.
After 10-15 seconds your call will be connected. - 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.
TopContacting 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 (the call is free from zone 1 countries):
- Dial 154 from your phone
- Press the call, send or OK key (ignoring any messages on the screen), and wait for the call back.
- Answer the call normally.
After 10-15 seconds your call will be connected. - Follow the voice prompts to speak with Customer Service
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).
TopHandset 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.
TopTips
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#.