Methods and apparatus for use in controlling scanning operations or a scan rate based on call appointments or reminders are disclosed. In one illustrative example, one or more processors of a mobile communication device are operative to identify whether a call appointment or reminder for a communication session to be established during a current time period is stored in the memory, and determine a scan rate for scanning operations of the wireless transceiver which varies based on whether the call appointment or reminder for the communication session to be established is identified. The scan rate may further be determined to vary based on a duration of time over which repeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitable wireless communication network for communication (e.g. as the duration of time increases, the scan rate decreases).