
Buy airtime online or top up on data whenever you need to
Enjoy the convenience of buying airtime, data and SMS bundles anytime with one of our easy-to-access and easy-to-use banking channels.
You can buy your airtime using Cellphone Banking, the banking app and also while you’re on your WhatsApp or Facebook. No queues, no delays.
Available across all networks
Available for Cell C, MTN, Telkom Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Vodacom.
Top up at your convenience
Top up anytime, even while you’re chatting on social media.
Load instantly
Bundles load automatically even when you’re topping up for someone else.
How to buy airtime and data
- If you are an Absa customer, once you have inserted your card in the ATM and entered your PIN, select Other transactions. If you do not have an account with Absa yet, select Prepaid.
- Select Prepaid airtime and then follow the prompts to purchase the airtime amount that you would like.
- Logon to Absa Online Banking and select Payments at the top of the screen.
- Select Purchase prepaid on the left of your screen and then follow the prompts.
- The airtime and bundles will be loaded within a few minutes and will be available for use immediately.
- You can do single, multiple (for several people at once) or once-off top ups.
Benefits and features
- You can also create mobile beneficiaries for frequently made top-ups.
- You can also use Express Banking to top up your own airtime and bundles or buy prepaid for once-off, new or existing beneficiaries.
- Logon to your Absa Express service.
- Click on the Prepaid icon.
- Select the prepaid option that you want and then follow the prompts.
What you need to know
- You can also buy Telkom landline vouchers.
- On Absa Online Banking, Telkom landline vouchers can be purchased in the Purchase once-off section.
- The cellphone number that the airtime is purchased for must be RICA-compliant.
- Airtime, data and SMS bundles are standard network products.
- We will not be liable for incorrect cellphone numbers or incorrect service providers selected.
- If you have changed your cellphone service provider, prepaid airtime at your old service provider will be lost.
- For further prepaid terms of use, please refer to your service provider.
- Dial *120*2272# to logon.
- Select Prepaid from the menu and follow the prompts.
- The transaction is not reversible, so make sure that you use the correct number.
Benefits and features
- You can buy airtime and bundles for yourself or anyone else on any of your mobile devices.
- The airtime and bundles are loaded directly onto the cellphone and are available for use immediately.
- You can load airtime and bundles for anyone else — they do not need to be an Absa customer or even use the same cellphone service provider as you.
What you need to know
- To top up with USSD, you need to be registered for the Absa NotifyMe service.
- Logon to the App or register for Digital Banking which gives you access to both Cellphone Banking and Absa Online Banking
- You will be able to logon instantly
- Go to Prepaid mobile and follow the on-screen prompts.
What you need to know
- The App is free to download and use. You will only be charged for your transactions.
- The App can be downloaded on most mobile devices and is available on the App Store, Google Play and Windows Store.
Top up on ChatBanking - WhatApp or Facebook
- When you logon to Absa Online Banking, select the Express tab, then select Settings.
- Select Manage ChatBanking from the menu and follow the prompts to complete the once-off secure registration process.
- After your registration is complete, logon to Facebook and search for the Absa ChatBanking page, or logon to Facebook Messenger directly and search for Absa ChatBanking.
- On WhatsApp, add Absa (08600 086000) as a contact on your device and find the new contact.
- Begin your conversation with “Hi.”
- Once you have completed a once-off secure registration process, you do not need to logon to use ChatBanking again.
- You can just open your existing chat and continue to transact.
Benefits and features
- ChatBanking allows you to buy airtime and bundles straight from Facebook or WhatsApp.
- ChatBanking is the quickest way to top up airtime and bundles for your personal use: It only takes 10 seconds to send the short-cut code and receive your confirmation.
What you need to know
- To use ChatBanking, you need a Facebook or WhatsApp and an Absa account registered with Absa Online Banking.
- For your own security, you are only able to purchase airtime and bundles for yourself via ChatBanking. This means that anyone picking up your phone would not be able to use it to purchase prepaid for themselves or defraud you.
- Your social media profile is securely linked to your cellphone number during the once-off registration process to prevent fraud.
How to redeem your Absa Rewards
- Logon to your Absa Online Banking account.
- Click on Absa Rewards.
- Select Airtime.
- Follow the prompts on the screen.
- We will send an SMS to your cellphone number on our database if you redeem for airtime, vouchers or convert to partner points.
Benefits and features
- All airtime vouchers are charged at discounted prices.
- You can exchange your cash rewards for prepaid airtime on Absa Online Banking
- You can redeem your Absa Rewards for chat cards from any of the following service providers: Cell C, MTN, Neotel, Telkom, Telkom Mobile, Virgin Mobile or Vodacom.
What you need to know
- To redeem your cash rewards for airtime and bundles, you must have your Absa Rewards linked to your online account.
- Once you have successfully requested to redeem your cash rewards, we cannot cancel or change your request.
- It’s your responsibility to ensure that all the information you supply during the redemption process is correct.
- If you have a complaint or query, you can contact the Absa Rewards contact centre on 0861 78 88 88 or send an email to absarewards@absa.co.za
Buy airtime via Telephone Banking
- Call 08600 08600 to register.
- Select Telephone Banking and simply follow the voice prompts for agent-assisted or self-service prepaid services.
Benefits and features
- You can buy airtime and bundles from a landline telephone.
- No data or cellphone access required.
- You can choose from our self-service options or get assistance from a call centre agent.
What you need to know
To use our prepaid top-up service, you need to be registered for Telephone Banking.
Contact details
Call us on 0860 111 123
For Cellphone Banking, dial *120*2272#