Well, there is really no difference. Plastic phone cards are cards that come with a telephone number on the back usually a toll free number- and a PIN number. Then if the card has a rechargeable option you can keep it or you can throw it away. The information on the back of the card could be delivered by email, and you would basically have the same thing.

When you dont get a plastic card people call it a virtual calling card. Phone cards and virtual calling cards are basically the same thing. One thing to consider when selecting phone cards is whether to get a post paid or prepaid phone card. People tend to think of "phone cards" as prepaid (plastic, disposable) and "virtual calling cards" as a service that's ongoing (you pay-as-you-go). So basically you end up with two options: Prepaid phone cards that you pay in advance and virtual calling card service that you pay-as-you-go.

Prepaid phone cards that you pay in advance are phone cards in which you pay in advance for a fixed amount, so your card starts out with a certain value. Once the minutes allocated for the value of the card are over, the card is of no use. For example, you buy a $30 card. It's good for 1500 minutes within the USA or 850 minutes if you're calling Thailand. The company sends you a toll free access number and PIN by email or by postal mail. The advantage of this type of phone cards is that you can get incredibly cheap rates. Plus, it can be really convenient. After you use up your minutes, you can recharge the card just by calling a special phone number or buying more, if they have that option, over the companys website. On the downside, if you for example, bought the phone card for travel, and you already are backing home, you may end up with unused minutes stranded on your phone card.

The second alternative: virtual calling card services that you pay-as-you-go, are phone card services in which you are given a toll free number and a PIN that you write down or memorize. Then you start doing your long-distance calls. At the end of the month, the provider bills your credit card for the charges. You can quit anytime without leaving any unused minutes on the "card." As you can see, there are many options out there for you to choose. Which one is right for you? That depends on you calling needs.