Call charges to an 'International Call Collect' number in the US

[robupton]

I have a US issued credit card (I work for a US company) and needed to contact their customer service team. The numbers offered were a US 800 Freephone number for US residents and a 'Call Collect' number for international customers outside of the US.

I called the latter number thinking it would be free (my interpretation of call collect) but BT have charged me normal US rates?

Not been able to get through to BT on the phone so wondered if anyone had any experience/knowledge they could share? 

Thanks.

[NigelB72 · Accepted solution]

If the phone number started +1 it's an international call and charged as such

[robupton]

Thanks. Somewhat misleading though to call it Call Collect. Guess my gripe should be with Amex.

[-Richie-]

What Nigel said is correct, if you call a number that's overseas, you'll be charged for an international call.

You can look at Friends & Family International which is £2.11 a month and discounts calls to 236 countries.
You can also look at International Freedom which is £8.99 a month and gives 600 mins (10 hours) of inclusive calls to some countries, US is included.

There's more info at Calling Costs - International call charges