Airtel customers would be aware of talk time loan feature where a user with a balance of less than Rs. 5 could request for a credit of Rs. 10 either by IVR or USSD. Now Airtel has upgraded this to enable auto credit every time a user's balance goes below Rs. 5. Note that this is an opt-in feature and a user will have opt for the service through USSD or IVR (by calling 121).
USSD Codes
For activation of the service: *141*4#.
For deactivation of the service: *141*559#.
Note: USSD code might change from circle to circle, please check with your CC before opting for this service.
How it works?
- Whenever the user's balance goes below Rs. 5, a credit of Rs. 10 is made automatically.
- Once the user recharges his number next time, an additional charge of Rs. 2 will be debited i.e., if you recharge for Rs. 50 next day you will get a talk value of Rs. 38 - Rs. 10 + 2 will be deducted.
- If the user does not use the talk value of Rs. 10 within 24 hours the credit will be taken back!
- If the user does not recharge his number in the next 24 hours and his balance is above Rs. 5, Rs. 1 will be deducted on a daily basis. Again when the balance goes below Rs. 5, auto credit of Rs. 10 is given and the cycle continues.
No doubt this is a useful feature from Airtel and can be handy at times when you are away in a place where it is not possible to get a recharge done. These days the situation might not arise for users of online recharge portals who provide wallets and IVR based recharge, but nevertheless this is a welcome move.
