FREE411 Offers Free Calls on Valentines

Looking for a free way to express your love on Valentine’s Day that doesn’t include picking flowers at the park? How about picking up the phone! Jingle Networks' 1-800-FREE411, the nation’s leading provider of free directory assistance, announced today that it is offering free 10-minute phone calls on Valentines’ Day from any landline or mobile phone in the U.S. to any phone number in the U.S.

To take part in the free offer, callers dial 1-800-FREE411 on February 14,  and listen to prompts to be connected to their loved ones on Valentine’s Day.

“This Valentine’s Day is sure to be tough for many people who can’t afford flowers, dinner or candy,” said John Roswech, president of Jingle Networks. “A simple phone call can still make a big difference in someone’s day and is still the best way to tell someone you love them if you can’t be there in person. And now we’ve gone and made it free, so there’s no excuse for not making a call!”

The offer is valid for 24 hours beginning midnight Eastern Standard Time on February 13, and ending at midnight Eastern Standard Time on February 14.

Last Minute Lovers and Cheapskates

And for those that leave Valentine’s Day planning for the last minute, you’re not alone. According to 1-800-FREE411, restaurants were the most requested phone numbers on Valentine’s Day in 2008, with more than 80,000 people calling 1-800-FREE411 in search of a phone number in hope of snagging a last-minute reservation.

Not romantically inclined? You’re in good company as well! In 2008, fast-food restaurants and pizzerias were the second most-requested phone numbers at 1-800-FREE411, with more than 25,000 people calling in search of the phone number.

Here is the full list of numbers:

Valentine’s Day 2008
Top Calls:
1. Restaurants (81,725 calls)
2. Pizzerias/Fast Food Restaurants/Lunch Stands (34,557 calls)
3. Department Stores (10,693 calls)
4. Hotels and Motels (8,564 calls)
5. Motion Picture Theaters (8,226 calls)

“I thought there would be a spike in calls for restaurants in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, but we saw a huge jump on the day itself, which tells me many thousands of folks are waiting until the very last minute to make a reservation,” Roswech said. “What’s more interesting, in my opinion, is that fast food and pizza joints are the second most-requested phone numbers. I hope they’re calls from folks going it alone and not those planning a very cheap date.”