How to Buy Airtel Airtime from M-PESA without Charges in 2023

Isn't technology just the best? Remember when you had to rush to the shop every time you ran out of airtime? Those days are long gone. Today, we'll delve deep into the conveniences of the modern age, specifically, how you can buy Airtel airtime from M-PESA without incurring any charges. Sounds interesting. Let's dive in.

The Growing Dominance of Airtel in Kenya

Airtel Kenya, a subsidiary of the global telecommunications giant Bharti Airtel, has been offering Kenyans stellar voice and data services since its launch in 2000. As Kenya's second-largest mobile network operator after Safaricom, Airtel Kenya has expanded beyond the typical call and text services. They've expanded into other lucrative services like mobile banking, money transfers, and mobile commerce. With M-PESA being the primary choice for most Kenyans for mobile banking and transfers, the need to interlink the two platforms, M-PESA and Airtel, for convenience has become paramount.

How to Buy Airtel Airtime from M-PESA without Charges

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to purchase Airtel airtime from M-PESA without any additional charges:

Buying Airtel Airtime Using MPESA:

1. Access the M-Pesa Menu.
2. Click on 'Pay Bill'.
3. Input Business No. 220220.
4. For Account No., type AIRTXXXXXX (Replace XXXXXX with your Airtel Mobile number).
5. Enter the amount you wish to top up.
6. Finish by entering your M-Pesa PIN, then hit send.

Is there there another way to buy Airtel airtime without charges? It's by using the Airtel till number:

1. Open M-PESA.
2. Navigate to the 'Pay Bill' option.
3. For the Business number, use 263263.
4. Your Airtel number goes in as the account number.
5. Add the amount you're purchasing.
6. Enter your PIN, and you're done!

It's that easy! But that's not all.

For the Airtel Postpaid enthusiasts:

1. Navigate to the M-Pesa Menu.
2. Choose 'Pay Bill'.
3. Use 220220 for the Business No.
4. The Account No. It will be AIRPXXXXXX (With XXXXXX being your Airtel Mobile number).
5. Follow through with the amount and your M-Pesa PIN, then confirm.

Expanding the Horizon: Other Handy Tricks

Airtel doesn't continue beyond giving you a convenient way to buy airtime. They've got some neat tricks up their sleeves.

You can buy Safaricom airtime through your Airtel Money wallet. 

Only a few Kenyans know this, but it's a thing. Here's how:

1. Go to the Airtel Money Menu.
2. Pick 'Make Payments'.
3. Opt for 'Pay Bill', then 'Other'.
4. "Pesapal" is the business name.
5. Specify the amount.
6. Type in your Airtel Money PIN.
7. For Reference, key in 'SAFCXXXXXXX' where XXXXXXX is your Safaricom mobile number.

How about sharing the love by sending airtime to family and friends using Airtel's Me2U service?

You can use two methods: via the SIM menu or SMS. The default password is 0000, but changing it for security is advisable.

How to Transfer Airtime on Airtel Kenya

If you want to send airtime to your friends or family, Airtel Kenya offers the Airtel Me2U service, providing two methods for airtime transfer:

Method 1:

1. Select the SIM menu on your phone.
2. Choose Airtel services and then select the Me2U feature.
3. Opt for the "send airtime" option and input the desired amount.
4. Enter the recipient's phone number and your password to send the airtime.

Method 2:

1. Go to messages and select "Write a message."
2. Type: "2u [space] <phone number> [space] <amount> [space] <password>."
3. For example, to send Ksh100 to 0733 456789, type: "2u 0733456789 100 0000" and send the SMS to 5050.

Remember to change your default password to a new 4-digit number known only for security purposes.

READ ALSO: PayPal to M-Pesa: How To Create An Account, Link PayPal To M-Pesa, Send Money, and Withdraw To M-Pesa

Conclusion

In conclusion, buying Airtel airtime from M-PESA without charges in 2023 is a straightforward process that ensures you get the total value of your airtime purchase. You can also buy Safaricom airtime using Airtel Money, making it convenient to stay connected with loved ones across different networks. With the easy-to-follow steps in this guide, you can enjoy uninterrupted mobile services with Airtel Kenya. Don't miss out on the convenience – give it a try today!

FAQs

Can I buy Airtel airtime from M-PESA for both prepaid and postpaid accounts?

Yes, by following the steps mentioned in this guide, you can use M-PESA to purchase airtime for both prepaid and postpaid Airtel accounts.

Can I purchase a minimum or maximum amount when buying Airtel airtime from M-PESA?

There is usually no minimum or maximum amount when buying airtime. You can purchase the amount that suits your needs.

What is the benefit of using the new pay bill number 263263 to buy Airtel airtime from M-PESA?

Using the new pay bill number 263263 allows you to avoid transaction charges, ensuring you get the total value of your airtime purchase.

Can I buy airtime for other mobile networks using Airtel Money?

Airtel Money primarily facilitates the purchase of airtime for Airtel and Safaricom networks. You can refer to the respective sections in this guide for details on buying airtime for Safaricom.

How do I change my Airtel Me2U password for airtime transfers?

To change your Airtel Me2U password, follow the instructions in the guide under the "How to Transfer Airtime on Airtel Kenya" section.