Calling collect from overseas ...

I can't be of any help on Collect calls.

If you have a smartphone, my suggestion is download the Skype App, set up an account, and purchase Skype minutes that will allow you to call landlines using either Cellular data or WiFi. Skype minutes are cheap and they eliminate any hassles such as Collect calls.

try here:

"How to Call to and from Europe" https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech/call-uk-europe

These companies allow you to call collect so it won't cost you anything. Back in the day, before the internet, this was a big deal.

Nowadays, as already stated, the online calling apps are super cheap. I pay about 2 cents (US) per minute to call from Europe to the U.S. So even if you don't call collect and spend an hour on the phone it will only cost you a little over a dollar.

AT&T still has local access numbers in most countries around the world that allows you to make a call with a credit card. It's possible to make a collect call but the person at the other has to be on a land-line. Collect calls aren't possible to mobiles.

https://www.business.att.com/collateral/access.html

Nice of them to make the offer, perhaps simpler to dial their normal numbers since there no longer is an expense for the call.

The world of telephone calls is so different today than it was even 10 years ago.

• What is the function of a "toll-free" long-distance number today? No function at all. I pay no minutes for any call anywhere in the US
• I am more and more reluctant to even call anyone. It seems rude. I prefer texting or emailing, which allow the recipient to decide when and if to respond

My credit card has a collect phone number printed on the back. My insurance company also provides a collect phone number on their website.

Hi Travelady:

I had to call my Canadian Travel Medical Insurance provider in October from Italy.
I believe I just called the call-collect number shown on the policy.

I did make the call from my cellphone, into which I had put an Italian sim card at the beginning of my trip to Italy.
I'm thankful I did get one; as I had to make a few calls when I came down with Covid, and it was so much easier.
I paid E35 for a sim card and massive amounts of data and minutes to call the US and Canada...no texts though.
Very useful in an emergency, or for maps etc.

If you have to use a landline, say in a hotel...same procedure.

If you are calling Canada to a regular number from Italy, you need to put 00, then 1, then the area code, then the 7-digit number.

I can't remember if I put 00 first, or just called the call-collect number.

Either way, it was no big deal, and I got through to an agent on two calls I had to make to them from Italy.

Don't worry!

Thank you SJ, that is reassuring. I guess if needed I will try all the different suggestions here!

Paul, I agree about being reluctant to call anyone! I'm afraid of intruding.

I had to call my medical insurance company on a past trip, but wasn't able to figure out how to make collect calls. I've also had to call my credit card company on occasion. It used to be necessary to have the Operator put collect calls through and I'm assuming that's still the case with mobile phones. I wasn't in the mood to deal with that so just called the regular numbers and didn't worry about long distance charges. As I recall the cost wasn't that much.

I've been using a Roam Like Home cellular plan for several years and that provides the same service and features that I have at home.

I am not sure if it is clear above, an answer to your question, but my understanding is:

The 1-800 or 1-888 number on the back of your card will not work while in Europe. On your card should also be a "regular" number with area code to call collect.

If you just direct dial that number, you will incur charges of an international call if they apply to where you are calling from and the phone you are using. (land line, pay phone (if those still exist), or cell)

You need to go through an actual operator to make the call collect. Your Cell provider may also have a service center you can dial direct, and they will connect you.

Or you can just call using their non-toll free number, and ask them to call you right back.

I'm disagreeing with you, Paul.
You do not need to go through an operator to call a toll free number from Europe.
I did it, as explained above, and got through to my insurance provider right away.

I've just looked at my credit card now, and on the back is a section saying:
"Outside Canada and the US, call us collect on this number."

I've also just checked my Travel Insurance Policy, and on the back it says:
"Contact us Worldwide Collect at this number..."
And a second tollfree number too.

Perhaps US credit cards and insurance policies don't have this??
I'm in Canada and so is the OP.
I'm sure for every card and policy, there is a collect number to contact them somewhere in the small print.

Travelady: if you contact them both before you leave, they will assure you that you can indeed easily call them collect from anywhere in the world, and you can verify the correct numbers with them.
You just need the code to dial to Canada.