F International Cell Phone, iPhone, iPad, GPS Rental-FAQ|TravelCell
TravelCell - Global Cellular Solutions 1.877.Cell.Phone  (235-5746)
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FAQ's

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General

  1. What is TravelCell™?
  2. What is the difference between a satellite phone and cellular phone?
  3. What countries are covered? Are multiple carriers offered in most countries?
  4. How does the network know where I am located and deliver calls?
  5. What kind of call quality should I expect?
  6. Is it possible for me to receive the phone number in advance so I may give the number out or forward calls from another number to the phone?
  7. Can I open a corporate account with TravelCell™?

Rates

  1. What are the rental fees?
  2. What are the call charges?
  3. What happens if I lose the phone?

Billing

  1. What is an authorization?
  2. What is a deposit?
  3. Is there a cancellation fee?
  4. When will I receive my bill?
  5. Am I billed for every call?

Orders

  1. How far in advance do I have to order?
  2. How do I order?

Delivery & Return

  1. How do I get my phone?
  2. What time will my phone be delivered?
  3. Can you deliver my phone to the airport?
  4. Can TravelCell™ ship next day delivery?
  5. Is Saturday delivery available?
  6. How do I return my phone?
  7. Can I leave the return package with the concierge of the hotel?

Using your Phone

  1. How do I make a call?
  2. How do I charge my equipment?
  3. Can I use my calling card or callback service with your phone?
  4. What happens if the phone is turned off and someone tries to call?
  5. Will my TravelCell cellular phone work while I am on a cruise?
  6. Does Travelcell offer a phone that I can use on a boat or where GSM does not exist?

General

What is TravelCell™?
TravelCell is the premier provider of global cellular and satellite phone rentals. With service in countries all over the world, TravelCell can assure you the safety and convenience of a phone anywhere you travel at the guaranteed lowest rates.

What is the difference between a satellite phone and cellular phone?
Cellular phones receive their signal from land-based antennas similar to cellular service here in the United States. Coverage with a cellular phone is available in over 200 Countries worldwide. Travelcell offers satellite phone which are based off satellites in space. They are available for travel in remote areas where cellular coverage is not available.

Which countries are covered? Are multiple carriers offered in most countries?
Over 200 countries are covered. In countries where multiple carriers offer service, you may be able to select the carrier you use from the phone. This allows you to switch carriers if you are having network problems.

How does the network know where I am located and deliver calls?
When you power on your phone, it registers with the local network provider with the strongest signal. The information on the SIM card is transmitted identifying you as a roaming subscriber. The network then sends notification to forward incoming calls to your location.

What kind of call quality should I expect?
In most countries, wireless GSM service and coverage is very good. Because the network is 100% digital, sound quality is superior to the older analog (AMPS) systems. With all cellular systems, including those in the United States, reception varies as you travel. In metropolitan areas with digital networds, you can expect good coverage. Remote areas such as wilderness and mountains may not have coverage due to low population density. TravelCell cannot guarantee coverage in any particular area.

Is it possible for me to receive the phone number in advance so I may give the number out or forward calls from another number to the phone?
Yes. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with your tracking number and phone number as soon as your order is shipped. You may forward calls to your TravelCell™ from landlines, other cell phones, even international phones by opting for our toll free number which can be forwarded to any number in the US.

Can I open a corporate account with TravelCell™?
Yes. Businesses are welcome to open a corporate account. A registered corporate account will entitle you to discounted rental and call charges on your account. Set up a corporate account or contact TravelCell™ for more detilas.

Rates

What are the rental fees?
Depending on where you are traveling and the duration of your trip the rental rates will vary. Click here to find out rates for your trip.

What are the call charges?
Call charges will vary from country to country. View our low rates or call us at 1-877-235-5746 for more information.

What happens if I lose the phone?
You are responsible for the safekeeping of the phone until it is returned. We provide insurance on any rental with a deductible. Cost of insurance varies depending on where you travel and the length of your stay. Click here or call 1-877-235-5746 for more information. The replacement cost of the cellular phone, without insurance, is $250.00. In the event that your phone is lost or stolen call 001-718-382-6500 immediately. This will assure you are not charged for calls that you didn't make.

Billing

What is an authorization?
An authorization is different from a deposit because the funds are not actually taken from the account. Your bank will place a "hold" or "freeze" of funds against your credit card's available account balance. It is similar to when a bank places a "hold" on a check you want to cash. Once the authorization is released, the funds are then available to be used. Authorizations are automatically released when your credit card is charged at the end of your rental.

What is a deposit?
In some instances TravelCell might require a deposit. A deposit is an actual charge taken from your credit card account. In the event that Travelcell takes a deposit from your account, the money will be held until a statement has been processed and charged to your account. When your final TravelCell statement is processed, your credit card will be refunded or charged accordingly.

Is there a cancellation fee?
A cancellation fee of 10 dollars per phone may apply. If you cancel once the package has been shipped, you are responsible for the shipping fees.

When will I receive my bill?
Invoices are processed within 2-4 weeks of your return. These are charged to your credit card and a detailed bill is sent to you. The first invoice may or may not reflect all calls made. Due to varying service agreements with different wireless carriers, some call charges may take up to 60 days to be billed and will appear on subsequent invoices. Long-term renters such as students are billed on a monthly basis.

Am I billed for every call?
Yes, you will be billed for every attempted call. As with all cellular services, the possibility of dropped and disconnected calls exists. Unfortunately, TravelCell can not be liable for these interruptions in service.

Orders

How far in advance do I have to order?
We can accept a reservation anytime online or through our customer service center. Reservations received and approved by 4 p.m. EST can be delivered as early as 10:30 the next business day (early AM and Saturday delivery also available for an additional fee). We do recommend you place the order at least 3 business days in advance.

How do I order?
It's simple. You can order online or call 1-877-235-5746. You will need to provide TravelCell with the itinerary of your trip.

Delivery & Return

How do I get my phone?
TravelCell will deliver the phone to your home or office in the U.S. via UPS. In cities where same-day deliveries are available, TravelCell may use an in-house messenger or courier service.

What time will my phone be delivered?
Unless otherwise requested, deliveries will be shipped second day delivery receipt by 5:00pm (business address) and 7:30pm (residential address). Earlier deliveries such as next day air are available upon request. If services other then standard delivery are requested, additional fees are applicable.

Can you deliver my phone to the airport?
Yes. We can arrange for a messenger to meet you at Tri-State area airports. Call TravelCell™ in advance for cost and details.

Can TravelCell™ ship next day delivery?
Yes. TravelCell™ offers next day delivery anywhere in the US for $20.00.

Is Saturday delivery available?
Saturday delivery is available for an additional charge to most US destinations. Call TravelCell in advance for cost and details.

How do I return my phone?
In every phone package shipped, there is a prepaid UPS Pak. Simply call 1-800-PICK-UPS to arrange a pickup anywhere in the US within 48 hours of your return.

Can I leave the return package with the concierge of the hotel?
If you are staying at a hotel in the US, you can leave the package with the concierge of your hotel. Please note, even though you leave the equipment with the hotel concierge, you retain responsibility for the rental until UPS scans the package.

Using your Phone

How do I make a call?
The procedure for placing calls may be different for each type of handset and service. However, in most cases, you can simply dial the "+" sign followed by the country code of the country you are calling, followed by the city code and/or area code, followed by the telephone number and press the send button.

How do I charge my equipment?
The rental comes with long lasting, fully charged battery that will provide up to 8 hours talk time, rapid (wall) charger and if requested, in-car charger. Place one end of the charger into the bottom of the phone and the other end into an electrical socket. Please take note that travel adapters are included in the rental pack for foreign outlets.

Can I use my calling card or callback service with your phone?
Yes. Use of these services is subject to normal TravelCell™ airtime charges. Your callback or calling card service will charge you separately for their services. It's best to dial direct and save yourself money instead of paying both TravelCell and your calling card company.

What happens if the phone is turned off and someone tries to call?
Calls to a TravelCell™ phone when it’s busy or turned off are diverted to a voice mail system. In most countries you are notified when calls are in your mailbox. PLEASE NOTE: voice mail retrieval is subject to an additional fee based on your location.

Will my TravelCell cellular phone work while I am on a cruise?
possibly,if it does work the rates will be higher than quoted rates for your destination

Does Travelcell offer a phone that I can use on a boat or where GSM does not exist?
Yes, TravelCell offers Satellite Phone Rentals for much of the globe with the exclusion of the Polar Regions. Click here for rates and information.