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| Learn how to borrow MTN airtime or data with XtraTime and XtraByte, check eligibility, and understand the 15% service fee and automatic repayment. |
MTN XtraTime and XtraByte: Borrow Airtime or Data When You're Out
Dial `*303#` and select XtraTime (airtime) or XtraByte (data) to borrow instantly when you run out — repayment, plus a 15% service fee (including VAT), is automatically deducted from your next recharge. The older `*606#` code covered the same service but has been superseded.
What Is XtraTime / XtraByte?
MTN's borrowing service lets eligible prepaid customers get emergency airtime or data on credit, repaid automatically whenever you next top up. The system calculates how much you're eligible to borrow based on your usage history and loan repayment record — the more consistently you recharge and repay, the higher your available limit grows over time.
Eligibility Requirements
- - Be a prepaid MTN customer
- - Have been active on MTN for at least 3 months
- - Recharge a minimum of ₦200 monthly
- - Have no outstanding unpaid loan from a previous borrow
- - Have a low or zero airtime balance (typically ₦0–₦75, though this threshold can vary)
How to Borrow Airtime (XtraTime)
Via USSD:
1. Dial `*303#`
2. Select XtraTime
3. Choose your preferred amount from the options shown (commonly ₦25–₦500, depending on your eligibility)
4. Confirm — the amount, minus the 15% service fee, credits instantly
Via MyMTN App:
1. Log in → tap Borrow
2. Select Airtime, choose your amount
3. Review the total including the service fee, and tap Accept
Via SMS/IVR: Dial 303 directly for a voice-guided menu, or check if a text-based option is available for your line.
How to Borrow Data (XtraByte)
1. Dial `*303#`
2. Select XtraByte
3. Choose a data bundle from the list shown
4. Confirm — you'll see the bundle cost plus the 15% service fee before confirming
The Real Cost: Understanding the 15% Service Fee
This fee applies whether or not you actually use the full borrowed amount, and it's charged in addition to the base cost:
| You Borrow | Service Fee (15%) | Total You Repay |
|---|---|---|
| ₦100 | ₦15 | ₦115 |
| ₦500 | ₦75 | ₦575 |
For data, the fee is calculated the same way on top of the bundle's regular price.
How Repayment Works
Your next recharge automatically deducts what you owe (principal + fee) before any remaining balance is applied to your account. You can't recharge your way around it — repayment happens first, automatically.
Checking Your Eligibility or Loan Balance
- - Check eligibility: Dial `*303#` → My Account → Check Eligibility, or text STATUS to the service
- - Check outstanding loan balance: Dial `*303#` → My Account/Loan Balance — this shows exactly what you still owe before your next recharge clears it
Can You Borrow With an Existing Loan?
Generally no for a completely new loan cycle — you typically need to clear an outstanding balance first. However, some sources note you can borrow both airtime and data simultaneously as long as the combined total stays within your overall monthly credit limit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- - Using the outdated *606# code and assuming it's broken if it doesn't respond. Try `*303#`, the current primary code.
- - Ignoring the 15% fee when deciding how much to borrow. Borrowing ₦500 means repaying ₦575 — factor that into your next recharge.
- - Assuming you're automatically eligible. Check your status first via `*303#` rather than assuming the service is unavailable if a borrow attempt fails.
- MTN Share and Sell: How to Transfer Airtime to Another Number
- How to Share or Gift Data on MTN to Another Number
- How to Convert MTN Airtime to Cash Safely
`*303#` is MTN's current code for both XtraTime and XtraByte — pick the one you need from the menu, and budget for the 15% service fee on top of whatever you borrow, since it's deducted automatically at your next recharge regardless of whether you've used the full amount.
FAQ
What is the current code to borrow airtime from MTN?
`*303#`, then select XtraTime. The older `*606#` code has been replaced.
What is the service fee for XtraTime/XtraByte?
15%, including VAT, on the amount borrowed — applied whether or not you use all of it.
How is a borrowed amount repaid?
Automatically deducted (principal plus fee) from your very next recharge, before any balance applies to your account.
Can I borrow data and airtime at the same time?
Generally yes, as long as the combined total stays within your overall monthly credit limit — but you typically can't start a new loan with an unpaid existing one.
