Cheapest Way to Make a New Zealand Phone Call in New Zealand

cowiie on 28/10/2022 - 09:08

Okay, so I am going to New Zealand for 3 days next month.

I will need to make a phone call to the car rental company once I arrive to get picked up. Problem is, I don’t have roaming available on my mobile phone (prepaid with Felix).

What is the cheapest way to make 1 (yes all I need is 1) phone call to the rental company to get picked up?

Here are my options so far, and being the cheapest OzBargainer around, I need your help with more options (and my thoughts):

  • Felix mobile roaming $20 (don’t need data, only need to make 1 call, yes I can use it again with that hack posted on here, but it’s my main number and I’ll be porting out of Felix soon)
  • pay phone at airport (they don’t accept credit cards so have to buy a phone card…)
  • Skype Wi-Fi calling (unsure how much money needs to be loaded into account, but will also need a reliable internet connection)
  • Ask/beg airport customer assistance for a phone call (Kinda thinking they won’t help)
Mobile

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 28/10/2022 - 09:10
    +1

    Ask all your friends who have been to New Zealand if they have coins left over that you can buy from them, then you can use them in the payphone.

    • Quantumcat on 28/10/2022 - 12:09

      Actually - bring a handful of 20c coins with you. These are the same shape and weight as NZ 20c coins so should do the job. You'll lose a little in conversion as NZ $ are worth less but still cheaper than changing cash before you go especially if that's all you need cash for.

      • mja65 on 28/10/2022 - 14:40
        +4

        Err, you're a little out of date - the coins changed 18 years ago.

        • Quantumcat on 28/10/2022 - 14:51
          -1

          Really? I was in new Zealand more recently than 10 years ago

          • st1ng on 28/10/2022 - 19:11
            +1

            @Quantumcat: The coins change started in 31 July 2006.

  • FrugalDealSeeker on 28/10/2022 - 09:26
    +6

    Cheapest Way to Make a New Zealand Phone Call in New Zealand

    Walk up to a person near you and say, "Excuse me, can I borrow your phone for a call, I am out of credit".

    • Sleeqb7 on 28/10/2022 - 09:59
      +2

      I've had someone do this to me before.
      My first thought was "What if they just sprint off with my phone?"
      My second thought was "Are they using it for a drug deal and don't want to implicate their own number?"

      I let them make the call because Occam's razor, but definitely gave it a second thought.

    • capslock janitor on 28/10/2022 - 10:20
      +1

      Say that at service desk

    • cowiie on 30/10/2022 - 17:42

      Sounds easy enough :)

  • pao2x on 28/10/2022 - 09:34
    +3

    Answer some google rewards survey and buy skype, viber out credit with it. You are in a major airport there should be free wifi

  • SBOB on 28/10/2022 - 09:43
    +2

    Are you not taking any 'emergency' NZ money with you at all? Or at least getting money out once there (eg ATM)
    Buy a drink at the airport, ask for change in coins suitable for payphone, use payphone.
    Sit down and enjoy drink while waiting for pickup

    • cowiie on 30/10/2022 - 17:42

      No, I usually bring my 28 degree credit card and everything else is already prepaid. But I’m thinking this idea might be alright.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 28/10/2022 - 10:01
    +1

    Skype and airport free wifi. Skype calls are cheap, you could load a couple of dollars on there and you'll be sweet.

    • Shadowsfury on 28/10/2022 - 10:20

      This what I did

      But also like dasher86's idea - use airport free wifi to message someone back home to do the call for you.

      • Cheaplikethebird on 28/10/2022 - 10:25

        K.I.S.S. - why add a middle-man and complicate the process to save a few cents.

    • cowiie on 30/10/2022 - 17:43

      I will also look into this idea

  • [Deactivated] on 28/10/2022 - 10:03

    You know way back when everyone used cash more and every once in a while, a NZ coin was included in your change …… if only you had kept them!

    • capslock janitor on 28/10/2022 - 10:22

      I don't remember kiwi coins but definitely Indonesian if I go Bali

  • dasher86 on 28/10/2022 - 10:06
    +1

    get a mate/family to help from Oz.
    Jump on wifi message/facetime/video call them, to tell them to call the car company from Oz for a pick up.

    • cowiie on 30/10/2022 - 17:44

      That’s actually very smart. I know a few people who have free calls to nz. Though don’t really want to bother them, but worst case I’d call my sister.

  • Meho2026 on 28/10/2022 - 10:20

    Connect to the free airport wifi.
    Instant message (imesage, whatsapp, messenger etc) a contact in Australia, that you have ready, and ask them to call the car hire company.

  • Porker on 28/10/2022 - 10:32

    As a backup to the other responses, maybe just the reception or a desk area if you can make a local call on their phone?

    One time I didn't have access to my mobile while at an airport, and I asked a local if I could borrow their mobile to make a call. They helped me no problem.

    • cowiie on 30/10/2022 - 17:45

      Id probably go there first. I have an hour before my car rental starts so plenty of time to work something out

  • djones145 on 28/10/2022 - 11:01

    if its a large rental company chances are they will have a service desk in arrivals. also i have seen some with a telephone in the wall that calls them direct.

    ask the company if they have any of these. if not like others say, airport wifi and contact them by email

  • Foosa on 28/10/2022 - 12:01

    I was there in July and had to call the rental company too.. I just tried a coin phone I found on the airport and it dialled without issues to the landline number of the business, didnt have to drop a coin for it (possibly tollfree).

    If you are renting via Hertz, Avis, Thrifty or the likes, they have counters inside the Airport who can assist you. Im sure they have Airport information counters too who should have no issues to make a landline call for you.

    • cowiie on 30/10/2022 - 17:45

      No with the main mobs, hence a great price. But this dilemma

  • WreckTangle on 28/10/2022 - 12:18

    Doesn't the company have a freecall number from an NZ payphone?

  • mrkorrupt on 28/10/2022 - 14:50

    go woolies ask for new zealand coins from cashier

  • ThatKiwiFella on 28/10/2022 - 18:51

    Does the rental car company not have a kiosk/stall at the airport?

    I’d just shoulder tap a couple people and ask if you can use there phone tbh, we’re usually friendly enough!

  • st1ng on 28/10/2022 - 19:12

    VoIP with an Aussie company + Airport wifi would be the cheapest option I would think. If the number begins with 0800 or 0508, it's a free call from any payphone.

  • nek on 30/10/2022 - 07:57

    Skype credit and airport free wifi, however minimum Skype Credit purchase is $5. Check whether there is free trial subscription to NZ. Option for getting skype credit for less than $5 - if you know someone who already have credit, I think you can transfer small amounts of credit to you.

    How far is the car rental place? If not far and travelling light or have a partner to look after your luggage walk to the car rental place.

    • cowiie on 30/10/2022 - 17:46

      I think it’s 10 mins car ride away :(

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