Phone cards as tips

[chmb1]

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to buy reasoable phone cards to use as tips?

Should we get international or domestic cards?

About how many minutes on each card?

Would appreciate any opinions.

Thnaks!

 

[randytenn]

Sams Club seems to have good prices on a pack of phone cards. You might try there.

Just a friendly reminder: Phone cards should not be given in lieu of cash tips. Merely as an add on tip for a job well done, or a tip to someone who does not normally receive gratuities!

 

[disneyholic family]

personally i don't like the whole idea of phone cards as tips...
if you feel someone is deserving of a tip then give them cash....
that's always appreciated.....(they'll give you the standard line of how it's not necessary, but then they'll graciously accept it)...
it always makes me feel good to show my appreciation that way....and i'm sure they appreciate it as well...
there were two people on the ship who made our cruise especially memorable, who weren't in tipping positions.....we tipped them anyway (a cash tip) and they were touched by our gesture.....

 

[CarolAnnC]

I agree about giving the cash as an "extra" tip as well. Some of these CM's are from countries where families do not have telephones. Some share a communal phone with many others, and calling home can be difficult, if not impossible, in some cases.

 

[atigeg]

We are fans of using the phone cards (in addition to regular tips), and we have gotten some good comments from the crew about them. One of our former head servers even made it a point to thank us on one of our later cruises...he remembered that we had given him a card, and he told us he used it to call his family. In addition to the cards, we generally add some cash to the suggested amounts if we have gotten exceptional service. We also sometimes do other little gift items, which seem to be appreciated because some of the crew members don't get much time off the ship to shop.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Cruise]

I'm with Barb on this one. I haven't given phone cards in the past, but I will on the next cruise.

For me, the phone card is more of a token of appreciation than another way of giving extra cash. That is, if I'm going to tip extra cash, I do...but then add the phone card as well. If I'm not going to tip extra cash because of problems with service, then I still have the option of adding the phone card or not. I would never give the card in lieu of extra cash.... it would just be an "extra" extra.

As I said in a post in another thread, one of our servers had specifically mentioned getting off the ship in port to call his mother. For this CM, a phone card is great.... something he will use AND it saves him the bother of having to go track one down in a local store.

If a CM isn't likely to use a phone card for whatever reason, they have the option of "re-gifting" it to another CM that may have done them a favor. Just like I might take brownies into work one day.

To answer the original question, you can get these cards at Wal-mart or Sam's. They will be the international ones and come in many different values. Just keep in mind that they value assigned to them is the "domestic" rate and calling another country for the CM will take multiples of minutes... that is, a 60 min domestic card may be worth 20 minutes to another country. I think Sam's bulk packages of cards... 10 cards of 45 mins each or something like that.

hope that helps,
Julie

 

[shmoogrrrl]

I've never actually used the phone cards, but I'd imagine that if the CM couldn't use the card for some reason, they could probably sell it to another CM that could.

Kathy

 

[mdvasquez]

I just bought a pack of phone cards from Sams to bring on our cruise to give as an extra tip. They came in a package of 15 - 45 minute cards and the cost was 23.99. That's under $2.00 a card!! You can't beat that!!

Dena

 

[KennyK]

We just picked up a package of 120 minute phone cards at Costco for around $50.00. There were 12 individually packaged cards in the envelope.

We plan to use them for the Kids club as DGS will be in-there and also as extra's during the cruise.

I think this is an easy way for a thankyou especially for the Kids club which they are not supposed to accept gratutities.

Somebody had posted a place where you could preprint thankyou notes, anyone have that site???

Thanks

Leaving in 7 days for our "Wonder-ful" trip

kennyK

 

[atigeg]

I don't have the thank-you note site, but I'll put in a plug for www.whatwouldwaltdo.com
They sell special pins for CMs who go above and beyond the call of duty in ways that would have made Walt proud. They're a neat little way to recognize crew members.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[KennyK]

Barb,

That was a great site. Never heard about it before and run by Disney. Surprised they don't publize it more.

Anyway, I order 2 sets of pins for our upcoming trip this coming Sunday, october 13th. Hope they show up in time.

Thanks
KennyK

 

[atigeg]

Actually, it's not run by Disney...it's an independent site, and the pins are not "official" Disney pins (although many pin traders have wanted to trade for them). I ordered a batch of pins a while back and am now almost out of them. It's such a neat little way to recognize the CMs.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[westjones]

I send a basket from the Perfect Gift to a wonderful CM from our last cruise. Thanks for the suggestions. She really went WAY above what is expected though, I wouldn't suggest doing this for everyone.

I want to find some phone cards for next time. I think it just seems like a little personal touch. Barb, you are simply wonderful! You don't know me, I am just a big fan of your website and LOVE reading about your adventures on the DCL. Thanks for letting us all know about the Perfect Gift. I was so glad to be able to do something special for this CM.

So Barb, when is your next voyage? We all look forward to hearing your reports!
Debra

 

[inkkognito]

Next voyage is Thanksgiving weekend on the Wonder...it has become our annual tradition for the holiday, ever since 1999. Glad you enjoy my website
We have used Shirley to send baskets to some extra-special crew members too. Hubby is already reminded me to go back to Sam's and stock up on phone cards, as I ran out on our three-peat!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[natsmom125]

I also use the phone cards as EXTRA for the service staff.

On our last 7 day, I didn't have enough..so next time I will
bring more.

I first thought of this idea when one of our room hostesses told
me how expensive it was to call home (The Phillipines) from St.
Thomas. I felt so bad that I couldn't help her more..especially
after she told me she cried when she heard her kids voices...ok
so I'm a softie...lol This is an excellent idea and has been talked
about on these boards for some time now.

I try to take little trinkets from home too. Like candy, gum, pens,
things that they don't have access to..but need. And since I work for the Fire Department...I take little erasers in the shape of a fire truck, helmet and hydrant...not so much for them to use..but they
are so cute!!!!

Any crew member who goes out of his/her way to make your
trip more special...IMO...you can do something extra for them too.

Phyllis

 

[natsmom125]

I also use the phone cards as EXTRA for the service staff.

On our last 7 day, I didn't have enough..so next time I will
bring more.

I first thought of this idea when one of our room hostesses told
me how expensive it was to call home (The Phillipines) from St.
Thomas. I felt so bad that I couldn't help her more..especially
after she told me she cried when she heard her kids voices...ok
so I'm a softie...lol This is an excellent idea and has been talked
about on these boards for some time now.

I try to take little trinkets from home too. Like candy, gum, pens,
things that they don't have access to..but need. And since I work for the Fire Department...I take little erasers in the shape of a fire truck, helmet and hydrant...not so much for them to use..but they
are so cute!!!!

Any crew member who goes out of his/her way to make your
trip more special...IMO...you can do something extra for them too.

Phyllis