How to Borrow Airtime from Airtel

Communication have been made very easy this days, from recharging your line from a mobile app to borrowing airtime. We will discus how to borrow airtime from airtel and every other thing you should know.

Airtel subscribers are one of the luckiest people because of the services they are being provided with. Airtel service called Airtel Extra Credit that allows you to borrow airtime from Airtel and pay back later. This is a convenient and easy way to stay connected when you run out of airtime.

This post os equiped with everything you need to know when it comes to Airtel extra time and by reading through you will learn how to borrow airtime from Airtel using the Airtel extra credit code and other methods. You will also learn how to repay your borrowed airtime and data, and how to avoid common pitfalls when using this service.

What is Airtel Extra Credit

Airtel Extra Credit is a service that allows you to borrow airtime or data from Airtel when you have insufficient balance on your phone. You can use the borrowed airtime or data for any chargeable service on the Airtel network, such as voice calls, SMS, data browsing, etc.

Airtel Extra Credit is not free, however. You will have to pay back the borrowed amount plus a service fee of 15% (except for N25 loan which has a 20% service fee). The service fee is deducted from the amount you receive when you borrow. For example, if you borrow N100, you will receive N85 as airtime. The service fee is also deducted from your next recharge when you repay your loan.

Airtel Extra Credit is available for prepaid customers who meet certain eligibility criteria. You can borrow different amounts of airtime or data depending on your eligibility status. The minimum amount you can borrow is N25 and the maximum is N2000 for airtime, and 10MB and 200MB for data.

Borrowing Airtime from Airtel: Requirements and Eligibility

Before you can borrow airtime from Airtel, you need to meet some requirements and eligibility criteria. These are:

• You must be an Airtel prepaid customer with a registered SIM card.
• You must have been on the Airtel network for at least two months.
• You must have recharged your line with an average of N200 monthly.
• You must have paid up any previous loan and associated charges.
• You must have sufficient balance to pay the service fee.

If you meet these criteria, you can proceed to borrow airtime from Airtel using any of the methods below.

How to borrow airtime from Airtel

There are three ways you can borrow airtime from Airtel:

1. Using the USSD code *500#
2. Using the MyAirtel app
3. Using the IVR service

We will explain each of these methods in detail below.

How to Borrow Airtime From AIRTEL Using USSD Code

The easiest and fastest way to borrow airtime from Airtel is by using the USSD code *500#. This code allows you to access the Airtel Extra Credit menu and choose the amount of airtime or data you want to borrow.

To use this method, follow these steps:

1. Dial *500# on your phone.
2. You will see a menu with different options such as:

Welcome to AIRTEL EXTRA CREDIT!
1) Borrow Airtime
2) Borrow Data
3) Check Eligibility
4) Check Balance

1. Select the option you want by replying with the corresponding number. For example, if you want to borrow airtime, reply with 1.
2. You will see another menu with different amounts of airtime you can borrow, such as:

Select amount to borrow
1) N25
2) N50
3) N100
4) N200
5) N500
6) N1000
7) N2000

5. Select the amount you want to borrow by replying with the corresponding number. For example, if you want to borrow N100, reply with 3.
6. You will see a confirmation message with the amount you will receive and the service fee. For example:

You have requested for N100 Extra Credit. You will receive N85 and be charged a service fee of N15. To confirm, reply with 1.

7. Reply with 1 to confirm your request.
8. You will receive a confirmation SMS with the amount of airtime you have borrowed and your new balance. For example:

9. You can now use your borrowed airtime for any chargeable service on the Airtel network.

How to Borrow Airtime From Airtel Using MyAirtel App

Another way to borrow airtime from Airtel is by using the MyAirtel app. This is a mobile app that allows you to manage your Airtel account and access various services and offers from Airtel.

To use this method, follow these steps:

1. Download and install the MyAirtel app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your phone.
2. Launch the app and register or log in with your Airtel number.
3. On the home screen, tap on the More icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
4. Tap on Airtel Services and then tap on Airtel Extra Credit.
5. You will see a screen with different amounts of airtime or data you can borrow, such as:

6. Tap on the amount of airtime or data you want to borrow.
7. You will see a confirmation screen with the amount you will receive and the service fee. For example:

8. Tap on Yes to confirm your request.
9. You will receive a confirmation SMS with the amount of airtime or data you have borrowed and your new balance.
10. You can now use your borrowed airtime or data for any chargeable service on the Airtel network.

How to Borrow Airtime From Airtel Using IVR Service

The third way to borrow airtime from Airtel is by using the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) service. This is a voice-based service that allows you to interact with an automated system and request for various services from Airtel.

To use this method, follow these steps:

1. Dial 141 on your phone.
2. You will hear a voice prompt welcoming you to Airtel and asking you to choose your preferred language.
3. Choose your preferred language by pressing the corresponding number on your keypad.
4. You will hear another voice prompt asking you to choose from various options such as:

5. Press 6 to choose extra credit.
6. You will hear another voice prompt asking you to choose from different amounts of airtime or data you can borrow, such as:

7. Press the number corresponding to the amount of airtime or data you want to borrow. For example, if you want to borrow N100, press 3.
8. You will hear a confirmation message with the amount you will receive and the service fee. For example:

You have requested for N100 Extra Credit

You will receive N85 and be charged a service fee of N15. To confirm, press 1. 9. Press 1 to confirm your request. 10. You will receive a confirmation SMS with the amount of airtime or data you have borrowed and your new balance. 11. You can now use your borrowed airtime or data for any chargeable service on the Airtel network.

How to borrow data on Airtel

If you need data instead of airtime, you can also borrow data from Airtel using the same methods as above. The only difference is that you will choose the option for borrowing data instead of airtime.

For example, if you are using the USSD code method, you will dial *500# and choose option 2 for borrowing data. You will then see a menu with different amounts of data you can borrow, such as:

You will then select the amount you want to borrow and confirm your request. You will receive a confirmation SMS with the amount of data you have borrowed and your new balance.

The same process applies for the MyAirtel app and the IVR service methods. Just choose the option for borrowing data instead of airtime and follow the prompts.

The service fee for borrowing data is also 15% of the borrowed amount. For example, if you borrow 200MB, you will receive 170MB as data and pay back N300 (N200 + N50 service fee).

How To repay Borrowed Airtime From Airtel

When you borrow airtime or data from Airtel, you are expected to pay back the borrowed amount plus the service fee on your next recharge. Airtel will automatically deduct the amount you owe from your main account balance when you recharge your line.

For example, if you borrowed N100 and received N85 as airtime, you will pay back N115 (N100 + N15 service fee) on your next recharge. If you recharge N200, Airtel will deduct N115 from your balance and leave you with N85.

You can repay your borrowed airtime or data using any recharge method, such as:

• Recharge card
• E-recharge
• Bank USSD code
• ATM
• Mobile app
• Online banking
• Airtel Money

You can also repay your borrowed airtime or data using another borrowed airtime or data. For example, if you borrowed N100 and received N85 as airtime, you can use that N85 to borrow another N100 and receive another N85 as airtime. Airtel will deduct N230 (N115 + N115) from your balance when you recharge your line.

However, this is not advisable as it will increase your debt and reduce your eligibility for future loans. It is better to repay your borrowed airtime or data as soon as possible to avoid accumulating more charges and losing access to the service.

How do I repay Borrowed Data from Airtel

Repaying borrowed data from Airtel is the same as repaying borrowed airtime. Airtel will automatically deduct the amount you owe from your main account balance when you recharge your line.

For example, if you borrowed 200MB and received 170MB as data, you will pay back N300 (N200 + N50 service fee) on your next recharge. If you recharge N500, Airtel will deduct N300 from your balance and leave you with N200.

You can repay your borrowed data using any recharge method, such as:

• Recharge card
• E-recharge
• Bank USSD code
• ATM
• Mobile app
• Online banking
• Airtel Money

You can also repay your borrowed data using another borrowed data or airtime. For example, if you borrowed 200MB and received 170MB as data, you can use that 170MB to borrow another 200MB and receive another 170MB as data. Airtel will deduct N600 (N300 + N300) from your balance when you recharge your line.

However, this is not advisable as it will increase your debt and reduce your eligibility for future loans. It is better to repay your borrowed data as soon as possible to avoid accumulating more charges and losing access to the service.

Things To know before borrowing credit on AIRTEL

Before you borrow credit on Airtel, there are some things you need to know and consider. These are:

• You can only borrow one loan at a time. You cannot borrow another loan until you repay the previous one.
• You cannot transfer or share your borrowed airtime or data with another Airtel customer.
• You cannot use your borrowed airtime or data for international calls or roaming services.
• You cannot use your borrowed airtime or data to subscribe to any Airtel bundle or plan.
• You cannot use your borrowed airtime or data to buy another Airtel service or product, such as Airtel Money, Airtel TV, etc.
• You cannot use your borrowed airtime or data to pay for any third-party service or product, such as Netflix, Spotify, etc.
• You cannot use your borrowed airtime or data to donate to any charity or cause.
• You cannot use your borrowed airtime or data to gamble or bet on any platform or website.
• You cannot use your borrowed airtime or data for any illegal or fraudulent activity.

If you violate any of these terms and conditions, Airtel may suspend or terminate your access to the service and take legal action against you.

How to check AIRTEL Extra Credit account balance

To check your Airtel Extra Credit account balance, you can use any of the following methods:

• Dial *500# and choose option 4 for Check Balance. You will see your outstanding loan amount and service fee on the screen.
• Dial *123# and choose option 3 for Account Information. You will see your main account balance and your outstanding loan amount and service fee on the screen.
• Dial *141# and choose option 6 for Borrow Airtime. You will see your outstanding loan amount and service fee on the screen.

You can also check your Airtel Extra Credit account balance by using the MyAirtel app or the IVR service.

How to Repay Airtel Extra Credit Airtime

To repay your Airtel Extra Credit airtime, you just need to recharge your line with any amount equal to or more than the amount you owe. Airtel will automatically deduct the amount you owe from your main account balance when you recharge your line.

For example, if you borrowed N100 and received N85 as airtime, you will pay back N115 (N100 + N15 service fee) on your next recharge. If you recharge N200, Airtel will deduct N115 from your balance and leave you with N85.

You can repay your Airtel Extra Credit airtime using any recharge method, such as:

• Recharge card
• E-recharge
• Bank USSD code
• ATM
• Mobile app
• Online banking
• Airtel Money

You can also repay your Airtel Extra Credit airtime using another borrowed airtime or data. For example, if you borrowed N100 and received N85 as airtime, you can use that N85 to borrow another N100 and receive another N85 as airtime. Airtel will deduct N230 (N115 + N115) from your balance when you recharge your line.

However, this is not advisable as it will increase your debt and reduce your eligibility for future loans. It is better to repay your Airtel Extra Credit airtime as soon as possible to avoid accumulating more charges and losing access to the service.

Airtel Me2U Airtime Transfer Guide

Airtel Me2U is a service that allows you to transfer airtime from your Airtel line to another Airtel customer. This is a useful feature if you want to share airtime with your friends, family, or colleagues who are also on the Airtel network.

To use this service, you need to activate it by creating a four-digit PIN that will secure your transactions. To create a PIN, follow these steps:

1. Dial *432# on your phone.
2. You will see a menu with different options such as:

3. Select option 1 for Change PIN by replying with 1.
4. You will be asked to enter a new PIN of your choice. For example:

5. Enter a four-digit PIN of your choice and press send. For example:

6. You will be asked to confirm your new PIN by entering it again. For example:

7. Enter the same four-digit PIN again and press send. For example:

8. You will receive a confirmation message that your PIN has been changed successfully. For example:

9. You can now use this PIN to transfer airtime from your line to another Airtel customer.

To transfer airtime using Me2U, follow these steps:

1. Dial *432# on your phone.
2. You will see a menu with different options such as:

3. Select option 2 for Transfer Airtime by replying with 2.
4. You will be asked to enter the recipient’s phone number. For example:

5. Enter the recipient’s phone number and press send. For example:

6. You will be asked to enter the amount of airtime you want to transfer. For example:

7. Enter the amount of airtime you want to transfer and press send. For example:

8. You will be asked to enter your PIN to confirm the transaction. For example:

9. Enter your four-digit PIN and press send. For example:

10. You will receive a confirmation message that your transaction has been completed successfully. For example:

11. The recipient will also receive a notification message that they have received airtime from you. For example:

You can transfer any amount of airtime from N50 to N5000 per transaction using Me2U. You can also transfer up to N10000 per day using this service.

You will not be charged any fee for transferring airtime using Me2U. However, you cannot transfer borrowed airtime or data using this service.

Airtel Yakata Loan Service Explained

Airtel Yakata is a prepaid plan that offers you amazing voice and data benefits when you recharge your line. You can enjoy up to 6GB of data and N2500 of airtime for calls and SMS every month when you recharge on Yakata.

Apart from these benefits, Airtel Yakata also offers you a loan service that allows you to borrow data when you run out of data on your Yakata plan. You can borrow up to 200MB of data and pay back on your next recharge.

To use this service, you need to be on the Airtel Yakata plan and have an active data bundle on your line. You also need to meet some eligibility criteria, such as:

• You must have been on the Airtel network for at least three months.
• You must have recharged at least N1000 in the last 30 days.
• You must have paid up any previous loan and associated charges.

If you meet these criteria, you can proceed to borrow data on Airtel Yakata using the USSD code 1417#.

To borrow data on Airtel Yakata, follow these steps:

1. Dial 1417# on your phone.
2. You will see a menu with different options such as:

3. Select option 1 for Borrow Data by replying with 1.
4. You will see another menu with different amounts of data you can borrow, such as:

5. Select the amount you want to borrow by replying with the corresponding number. For example, if you want to borrow 200MB, reply with 4.
6. You will see a confirmation message with the amount you will receive and the service fee. For example:

7. Reply with 1 to confirm your request.
8. You will receive a confirmation SMS with the amount of data you have borrowed and your new balance. For example:

9. You can now use your borrowed data for any chargeable service on the Airtel network.

The service fee for borrowing data on Airtel Yakata is 15% of the borrowed amount. For example, if you borrow 200MB, you will receive 170MB as data and pay back N300 (N200 + N50 service fee).

You can only borrow one loan at a time on Airtel Yakata. You cannot borrow another loan until you repay the previous one.

Instant Airtime Borrowing on Airtel

If you need airtime urgently and you don’t have time to go through the USSD code or app methods, you can use the instant airtime borrowing option on Airtel.

This option allows you to borrow airtime by simply dialing a short code that corresponds to the amount of airtime you want to borrow.

For example, if you want to borrow N100, you just need to dial 500100#. If you want to borrow N200, you just need to dial 500200#. And so on.

You will receive a confirmation SMS with the amount of airtime you have borrowed and your new balance.

The service fee for instant airtime borrowing is also 15% of the borrowed amount. For example, if you borrow N100, you will receive N85 as airtime and pay back N115 (N100 + N15 service fee).

You can only borrow one loan at a time using this option. You cannot borrow another loan until you repay the previous one.

Why can’t Airtel Borrow Me airtime?

If you are unable to borrow airtime or data from Airtel, it could be due to one or more of the following reasons:

• You are not eligible for the service. You need to meet some eligibility criteria, such as being on the Airtel network for at least two months, recharging your line with an average of N200 monthly, and paying up any previous loan and associated charges.
• You have an outstanding loan that you have not repaid. You need to repay your borrowed airtime or data before you can borrow another one.
• You have insufficient balance to pay the service fee. You need to have enough balance on your line to pay the service fee when you borrow airtime or data.
• You are on a postpaid plan or a hybrid plan. The service is only available for prepaid customers.
• You are trying to borrow an amount that is not available or not supported by the service. You can only borrow certain amounts of airtime or data depending on your eligibility status. The minimum amount you can borrow is N25 and the maximum is N2000 for airtime, and 10MB and 200MB for data.
• You are trying to use your borrowed airtime or data for a service that is not supported by the service. You cannot use your borrowed airtime or data for international calls, roaming services, bundle subscriptions, Airtel products or services, third-party products or services, charity donations, gambling or betting platforms, or illegal or fraudulent activities.
• You are experiencing a network issue or a system error. You may need to check your network signal or try again later.

If you are still unable to borrow airtime or data from Airtel after checking these possible reasons, you may need to contact Airtel customer care for assistance.

How to use borrowed airtime to buy data on Airtel

If you have borrowed airtime from Airtel and you want to use it to buy data, you can do so by using the normal data subscription methods.

For example, if you want to buy a daily data plan of 50MB for N100, you can dial 141100# and follow the prompts.

However, you need to note that you cannot use your borrowed airtime to buy any Airtel bundle or plan that is not chargeable from your main account balance.

For example, you cannot use your borrowed airtime to buy any of the following plans:

• Airtel Binge
• Airtel Social Bundle
• Airtel YouTube Bundle
• Airtel Mega Pack
• Airtel Unlimited Ultra Plans

You can only use your borrowed airtime to buy data plans that are chargeable from your main account balance.

You also need to note that you will still have to pay back your borrowed airtime plus the service fee on your next recharge.

How to Borrow Airtime from Airtel without Paying back

If you are looking for a way to borrow airtime from Airtel without paying back, we have bad news for you. There is no such way.

Airtel Extra Credit is a loan service that requires you to pay back what you borrow plus a service fee. There is no way to avoid this obligation.

If you fail to pay back your borrowed airtime or data, Airtel will block your access to the service and take legal action against you.

You may also damage your credit score and reputation with other lenders and service providers.

Therefore, we advise you not to borrow more than what you can afford to repay and always pay back your loans on time.

FAQs about AIRTEL Airtel Extra Time

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Airtel Extra Time:

Q: How do I know if I am eligible for Airtel Extra Time?

A: You can check your eligibility status by dialing *500# and choosing option 3 for Check Eligibility. You will see a message telling you if you are eligible or not.

Q: How much can I borrow from Airtel Extra Time?

A: You can borrow different amounts of airtime or data depending on your eligibility status. The minimum amount you can borrow is N25 and the maximum is N2000 for airtime, and 10MB and 200MB for data.

Q: How much is the service fee for borrowing from Airtel Extra Time?

A: The service fee for borrowing from Airtel Extra Time is 15% of the borrowed amount (except for N25 loan which has a 20% service fee). The service fee is deducted from the amount you receive when you borrow and from your next recharge when you repay.

Q: How do I repay my borrowed airtime or data from Airtel Extra Time?

A: You can repay your borrowed airtime or data by recharging your line with any amount equal to or more than the amount you owe. Airtel will automatically deduct the amount you owe from your main account balance when you recharge your line.

Q: Can I transfer or share my borrowed airtime or data with another Airtel customer?

A: No, you cannot transfer or share your borrowed airtime or data with another Airtel customer. You can only use it for your own chargeable services on the Airtel network.

Q: Can I use my borrowed airtime or data for international calls or roaming services?

A: No, you cannot use your borrowed airtime or data for international calls or roaming services. You can only use it for local calls, SMS, and data browsing on the Airtel network.

Q: Can I use my borrowed airtime or data to subscribe to any Airtel bundle or plan?

A: No, you cannot use your borrowed airtime or data to subscribe to any Airtel bundle or plan that is not chargeable from your main account balance. You can only use it to buy data plans that are chargeable from your main account balance.

Q: Can I use my borrowed airtime or data to buy another Airtel service or product?

A: No, you cannot use your borrowed airtime or data to buy another Airtel service or product, such as Airtel Money, Airtel TV, etc. You can only use it for chargeable services on the Airtel network.

Q: Can I use my borrowed airtime or data to pay for any third-party service or product?

A: No, you cannot use your borrowed airtime or data to pay for any third-party service or product, such as Netflix, Spotify, etc. You can only use it for chargeable services on the Airtel network.

Q: Can I use my borrowed airtime or data to donate to any charity or cause?

A: No, you cannot use your borrowed airtime or data to donate to any charity or cause. You can only use it for chargeable services on the Airtel network.

Q: Can I use my borrowed airtime or data to gamble or bet on any platform or website?

A: No, you cannot use your borrowed airtime or data to gamble or bet on any platform or website. You can only use it for chargeable services on the Airtel network.

Q: Can I use my borrowed airtime or data for any illegal or fraudulent activity?

A: No, you cannot use your borrowed airtime or data for any illegal or fraudulent activity. You can only use it for chargeable services on the Airtel network.

Q: What happens if I fail to pay back my borrowed airtime or data from Airtel Extra Time?

A: If you fail to pay back your borrowed airtime or data, Airtel will block your access to the service and take legal action against you. You may also damage your credit score and reputation with other lenders and service providers.

Q: How can I contact Airtel customer care for any issue related to Airtel Extra Time?

A: You can contact Airtel customer care by dialing 111 on your phone. You can also reach out to them via email at customercare@ng.airtel.com, via Twitter at @airtel_care, via Facebook at facebook.com/airtelng, or via their website at www.airtel.com.ng.

Also, don’t forget to check out our other articles on Overcoming interview challenges and How to borrow airtime on Glo.

Conclusion

Airtel Extra Time is a great service that allows you to borrow airtime or data from Airtel when you have insufficient balance on your phone. You can use the borrowed airtime or data for any chargeable service on the Airtel network, such as voice calls, SMS, data browsing, etc.

You can borrow airtime or data from Airtel using the USSD code *500#, the MyAirtel app, or the IVR service. You can also use the instant airtime borrowing option by dialing a short code that corresponds to the amount of airtime you want to borrow.

You will have to pay back the borrowed amount plus a service fee of 15% (except for N25 loan which has a 20% service fee) on your next recharge. Airtel will automatically deduct the amount you owe from your main account balance when you recharge your line.

You need to meet some eligibility criteria to borrow airtime or data from Airtel, such as being on the Airtel network for at least two months, recharging your line with an average of N200 monthly, and paying up any previous loan and associated charges.

You also need to follow some terms and conditions when using this service, such as not transferring or sharing your borrowed airtime or data with another Airtel customer, not using your borrowed airtime or data for international calls or roaming services, not using your borrowed airtime or data to subscribe to any Airtel bundle or plan, not using your borrowed airtime or data to buy another Airtel service or product, not using your borrowed airtime or data to pay for any third-party service or product, not using your borrowed airtime or data to donate to any charity or cause, not using your borrowed airtime or data to gamble or bet on any platform or website, and not using your borrowed airtime or data for any illegal or fraudulent activity.

If you have any issue related to this service, you can contact Airtel customer care by dialing 111 on your phone or via other channels.

We hope this article has helped you understand how to borrow airtime from Airtel using the Airtel extra credit code and other methods. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments section below.