Dialing Abroad: Navigating Verizon International Calling Rates from the US

Making phone calls to friends, family, or business contacts in other countries is a common need. If you’re a Verizon customer in the United States, understanding how you’re charged for these calls and what options are available can help you manage costs effectively. This guide explains verizon international calling rates and plans for calls originating from the US.

Calling Internationally vs. Roaming Internationally

First, it’s important to distinguish between two different scenarios:

1. International Calling (from the US): This article focuses on calls you make from your Verizon phone while you are in the US to phone numbers in other countries.
2. International Roaming (while traveling): This refers to using your Verizon phone (calling, texting, data) while you are physically outside the US. This scenario uses different plans like TravelPass or the International Monthly Plan.

Standard Pay-Per-Minute Verizon International Calling Rates

By default, if you don’t have a specific international calling plan added to your line, calls made from the US to international numbers are charged on a pay-per-minute basis.

These verizon international calling rates can vary significantly depending on the country you are calling. Rates might also differ between calling a landline versus a mobile number in the destination country. Because these rates can change and vary widely, it’s crucial to check the specific rate before making calls.

You can find the current pay-per-minute verizon international calling rates by using the online tool on Verizon’s official website. Simply navigate to their international services section and look for the tool to check rates for calling from the US.

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Saving on Calls: Verizon’s International Calling Plans & Add-ons

If you frequently make calls to specific countries or regions, adding an international calling plan to your line can offer substantial savings compared to pay-per-minute rates. Verizon offers several monthly add-on options:

• Included Calling to Mexico & Canada: Before adding any plan, check your current domestic Verizon plan details. Many current unlimited plans (like Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, Unlimited Ultimate) already include unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada from the US at no extra charge. If this is included in your plan, you may not need a separate add-on for these countries.
• Global Calling ($5/month per line):
  • Provides unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada (though potentially redundant if already included in your base plan).
  • Offers discounted verizon international calling rates (starting as low as $0.05/minute) to over 220 countries.
• Global Calling Plus ($15/month per line):
  • Includes unlimited calling to landlines in over 60 countries and mobile numbers in over 30 countries (including Mexico and Canada).
  • Provides discounted calling rates to over 160 additional countries.
• Global Choice ($10/month per line):
  • Allows you to select one specific country from a list of over 140.
  • Provides a monthly allowance of minutes (up to 300, depending on the country) for calls to your chosen destination. Calls exceeding the allowance are charged at a discounted rate.
  • Also includes unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada and discounted rates to over 220 other countries.

(Note: Plan names like “Unlimited Together – North America” and “Unlimited Together – World” may still appear in some places but seem largely superseded by the Global Calling, Global Calling Plus, and Global Choice options).

How to Check Specific Verizon International Calling Rates and Add Plans

1. Check Rates: The most reliable way to find the current pay-per-minute rate or the discounted rate included in a plan for a specific country is to use the international calling tool on Verizon’s website. Search for “Verizon international calling from the US” or navigate via the Plans/Add-ons section.
2. Add Plans: You can easily add or remove international calling plans like Global Calling Plus or Global Choice through:
   • The My Verizon website: Log in and go to Account > Add-ons and Apps > International.
   • The My Verizon app: Navigate to the plan or add-ons section.
   • Texting: For single-line accounts, you can often text keywords (like PLUS to 4004 for Global Calling Plus) to add plans.
   • Calling Customer Service: A representative can help you choose and add the right plan.

Choosing the Right Option

• Infrequent Calls: If you only make international calls occasionally, paying the standard per-minute rate might be sufficient, but always check the specific verizon international calling rates first on their website to avoid surprises.
• Frequent Calls to Mexico/Canada: Verify if unlimited calling is already included in your domestic unlimited plan. If not, the $5/month Global Calling plan is a cost-effective option.
• Frequent Calls to Other Countries:
  • If you primarily call one specific country outside North America, Global Choice might be best.
  • If you call multiple countries, compare Global Calling Plus (unlimited to ~60 landlines/~30 mobiles, discounted elsewhere) with Global Calling (discounted rates to 220+ countries). Choose based on which plan offers the best value for the specific countries you call most often.

Conclusion: Make Informed Choices About Your International Calling Costs

Verizon offers flexibility for international calling from the US. By understanding the difference between pay-per-minute verizon international calling rates and the various monthly plans available, and by using Verizon’s online tools to check specific country rates, you can select the most cost-effective option for staying connected with people around the world. Always check your base plan first, especially for calls to Mexico and Canada, as these may already be included.