How To Borrow Airtime From MTN | Code to Borrow Airtime From MTN 2024
When you run out of airtime or data, you can borrow it from MTN. If you don’t want to borrow data directly, you can use the borrowed airtime to make calls or buy data bundles. Purchasing data bundles with airtime loans may be less expensive than taking out a data bundle loan. Each data loan has an associated airtime value. If you borrow airtime and use it to buy data normally, you might be able to get the bundle you’re about to borrow at a lower price.
Steps on How To Borrow Airtime From MTN
When you borrow airtime, the amount you borrowed is automatically deducted from your next recharge. If you borrowed a data bundle, the respective airtime value will be deducted when you recharge. MTN XtraTime is the service that allows you to borrow airtime, while MTN XtraByte is the service that allows you to borrow data. MTN has 16 markets in Africa, but this article will walk you through the process of borrowing airtime and data from the four countries with the most MTN subscribers: Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Uganda.
How much can you borrow from MTN?
The amount of money that can be borrowed from MTN is limited. Nigeria has the most MTN subscribers in Africa, and the smallest amount that can be borrowed from MTN Nigeria is ₦25. To borrow more, you must first establish credit. You accomplish this by utilizing the XtraTime service as frequently as possible. The more you borrow and repay, the more airtime MTN will loan you the next time you borrow. The more airtime you credit your phone within a month, the more airtime you have available to borrow when you need it. So, if you only credit your phone with $200 per month, don’t expect MTN to loan you ₦500 or more when you need it.
MTN’s eligibility Requirements for Borrowing Airtime
You can only borrow airtime if you are eligible. You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the XtraTime service:
- Be a prepaid customer. MTN plans are in 2 major categories—postpaid and prepaid plans. The postpaid plan allows users to use any MTN service and pay the total bill at the end of the month. A prepaid plan allows users to buy the amount of data and airtime they think they need and use it at any time, with an extended expiring date. Most people use the prepaid plan because it allows them to manage their money by using MTN services according to their purchasing power.
- Have a registered phone number. Registration is usually done at the point of purchase of the MTN line. The SIM card is registered with the biodata of the owner of the SIM.
- Have been on the MTN network for more than 3 months. If your SIM is new, do not bother trying to loan from MTN. If this rule wasn’t in place, millions of users would borrow and dump SIMs more than they already do now.
- Have spent at least ₦200 monthly for 3 months. In addition to being on the network for 3 months prior to your attempt to loan airtime from MTN, you need to have borrowed at least ₦200 each month. Think of this service as a loyalty program. The more you patronize MTN by buying airtime, the more access you get to their loans.
- Have between ₦0 and ₦75 in your main account. This is important to note. If you are trying to get additional airtime so you can buy ₦100 worth of data or more, this MTN XtraTime loan will not be available to you. You will only qualify for loan airtime from MTN if you have less than ₦75 in your account.
- Pay up any outstanding XtraTime loan. If you are already owing MTN airtime you might not be able to borrow until you pay your debt. However, if your previous loan is not up to the maximum loan MTN allows you to borrow, you can request a loan of what is left of your borrowing limit. For example, if MTN will enable you to borrow a maximum of ₦200 and you have already borrowed ₦50, MTN will allow you to borrow an additional ₦150 even if you have not paid your previous debt. The MTN XtraTime prompt will always indicate how much you are eligible to borrow.
How to Borrow Airtime from MTN Nigeria Using USSD
Using the app or instructions from a USSD code, you may borrow airtime from MTN. Although the USSD code works on feature and app-supporting phones, the app is incompatible with feature phones.
How to Borrow MTN Airtime in Nigeria Using USSD
Follow these steps to borrow airtime in Nigeria using the USSD code:
- Dial *303# and choose XtraTime
- A list of loan amounts will be displayed to you. Choose your favorite quantity.
- The network will then give you a prompt displaying the loan you requested as well as the 15% service charge that will be debited from your airtime. The popup will request that you confirm the transaction.
- Complete the transaction.
MTN will credit your XtraTime account with the airtime balance after deducting the service fee on each amount you loan during the transaction. This means that if you borrow 100, MTN will take 15 nairas and only allow you to use 85 nairas of the borrowed airtime. The 100 you borrowed will be automatically repaid to MTN the next time you top up your credit. If you recharge with less airtime than you borrowed, the entire recharge will be applied to your loan repayment, and MTN will automatically deduct the remaining loan when you recharge next.
How to Borrow Data from MTN using USSD in Nigeria
Borrowing data from MTN requires the same USSD code as borrowing data—*303#. The procedure is as follows:
- Dial *303# and select XtraByte.
- You can then select your preferred data plan from the list of data bundles displayed.
- After selecting your preferred data plan, the system will send you a message reiterating your chosen amount, plus the applicable service fee, for you to confirm the transaction.
The bundle fee and a service charge (15%) will be debited from your main account on your next recharge.
How to Borrow Airtime from MTN with USSD in South Africa
In South Africa, you can loan up to R50 airtime from MTN. The USSD code for borrowing from MTN in South Africa is *136*2#. To load airtime from MTN:
- Dial *136*2# and select XtraTime.
- A list of amounts you can borrow will be shown to you. Select your preferred amount.
- The network will then send you a prompt that shows you the loan you requested and the service fee that will be deducted from the airtime. The prompt will ask you to confirm the transaction.
Upon your transaction, MTN will credit your XtraTime account with the airtime balance after deducting the service fee of 10%.
How to Borrow Data from MTN with USSD in South Africa
In South Africa, you can convert MTN XtraTime airtime into data. To do this, dial *136*6# and follow the prompts.
Upon your transaction, MTN will credit your data account. The airtime value will be deducted upon your next recharge.
How to Borrow Airtime from MTN with USSD in Ghana
In Ghana, you can loan GHp50 or more from MTN depending on how much airtime you top up monthly. You must have less than GH¢4 to take an XtraTime loan in Ghana. The USSD code for borrowing from MTN in Ghana is *506#. To load airtime from MTN in Ghana:
- Select XtraTime by dialing *506#.
- A list of loan amounts will be displayed to you. Choose your favorite quantity.
- The popup will request that you confirm the transaction.
- Complete the transaction.
After subtracting the 10% service charge, MTN will credit your XtraTime account with the airtime amount. So, if you borrow GH4, GHp40 will be removed, leaving you with only 3.6GH worth of airtime.
How to Borrow Data from MTN with USSD in Ghana
A minimum of 15 MB is valid for 24 hours and a maximum of 1GB is valid for 24 hours.
Upon dialing *506#, an eligible customer will be provided with loan options based on the user’s total credit limit. To borrow data from MTN in Ghana follow these steps:
- Dial *506#.
- Select Request a data advance.
- The network will show you a list of available bundles.
- Select the one you want and confirm the transaction.
How to Borrow Airtime from MTN with USSD in Uganda
MTN users in Uganda can borrow as little as UGX250 and as much as UGX10,000. Follow these procedures to borrow airtime from MTN in Uganda using the USSD code:
- Dial *146# and select XtraTime.
- Select your preferred amount from the list of amounts shown to you.
- The network will then send you a prompt asking you to confirm the airtime you are about to borrow. Confirm the transaction.
MTN will credit your XtraTime account with the airtime amount after deducting the service cost upon your confirmation. The XtraTime Service Fee in Uganda is 10% of the amount borrowed. So, if you borrow UGX1,000, MTN will deduct UGX100 as a service charge and UGX900 as a usable airtime value.
How to Borrow Data from MTN with USSD in Uganda
In Uganda, a minimum of 15 MB is valid for 24 hours, and a maximum of 1GB is valid for 24 hours. To borrow data:
- Dial *146#
- You will be provided with loan options based on your credit limit.
- Choose a suitable loan option.
How to Borrow Airtime or Data Using MTN App
MTN has an app—MyMTN—that you can download from the Google Play store or the Apple store. It allows you to access a variety of MTN services: managing subscriptions and tariff plans, purchasing, transferring, and borrowing airtime, and data bundles.
To borrow airtime from MTN using the app follow these steps:
- Open the app on your phone.
- Browse the menu bar at the bottom of the app launch screen and tap Recharge.
- A gridded menu will appear. Tap borrow.
- You will see a list of XtraByte and XtraTime loan options. Tap the XtraTime option that you think is suitable.
- There will be a prompt to confirm your loan. Tap proceed.
FAQs on Steps on How To Borrow Airtime From MTN
How can I borrow airtime from MTN when I run out of credit?
To borrow airtime from MTN, simply dial the USSD code *303# from your MTN line and follow the prompts on the screen to select the amount of airtime you want to borrow. Alternatively, you can dial 303amount# (e.g., 303100#) to borrow a specific amount directly.
What are the requirements to be eligible for MTN airtime borrowing service?
To be eligible to borrow airtime from MTN, you must have been an active subscriber on the MTN network for a certain period and have a consistent recharge history. MTN will determine your eligibility based on your usage patterns and recharge behavior.
Is there a limit to the amount of airtime I can borrow from MTN?
Yes, MTN sets a borrowing limit for each subscriber based on factors such as usage history, recharge frequency, and repayment behavior. The borrowing limit may vary from one subscriber to another.
How do I repay the borrowed airtime to MTN?
MTN automatically deducts the borrowed airtime from your subsequent recharges. When you recharge your MTN line, the borrowed amount, along with a service fee, will be deducted from your account balance. Ensure you have sufficient credit to cover the repayment amount when recharging.
