Last Updated on July 2, 2025 by admin
Are you out of data or airtime and you need to make that important call and you don’t know to get it .Vodacom’s Airtime and Data Advance Service is a convenient feature designed for customers who occasionally find themselves running out of airtime or data unexpectedly.
This service offers a seamless solution, allowing users to borrow airtime or data in emergencies or when a top-up isn’t immediately possible. Understanding how this service works can help you stay connected without interruptions.
The amount of Airtime, Data and Voice Advance you can borrow is typically determined by your historical usage and recharge patterns.
If you’re eligible, you can request an advance by dialing a specific USSD code or using the Vodacom app. Once the advance is granted, the borrowed amount, along with a nominal service fee, is automatically deducted from your next recharge. It’s an essential service for users who need immediate connectivity, although it should be used judiciously due to the additional service charge
The convenience of Vodacom’s Airtime and Data Advance Service lies in its ability to empower users, ensuring they maintain communication and access to digital services without disruption. By providing an instant, short-term solution to airtime or data shortages, the telecom enhances the overall user experience, particularly during critical times.
Read: How to check MTN South Africa data and artime balance & all ussd code
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Vodacom South Africa’s Airtime, Data, or Voice Advance, you’ll need to meet a few key requirements. Here’s the full breakdown:
- Be a Prepaid or Hybrid Vodacom customer.
- Have been active on the Vodacom network for at least 3 months.
- Recharge with a minimum of R29 per month over the past 3 months.
- Maintain a good recharge and usage history.
- Have no outstanding balances or unpaid advances.
- Postpaid customers do not qualify for this service
How to Check If You Qualify
To see if you qualify for Vodacom Airtime, Data and Voice Advance simply dial *135*082#. You can also read the Airtime Advance terms and conditions to find out if you qualify for the service.
Also Read: All Telkom Ussd Code You need to know
What You Can Borrow
Once eligible, you can request:
- Airtime Advance (e.g., R5, R10, R20)
- Data Advance (e.g., 25MB for R4, 300MB for R19)
- Voice Advance (e.g., 60 Any-net minutes for R12)
A small access fee of R1.20 per R10 borrowed is deducted from your next recharge
How do I get vodacom Data Advance?
- If you qualify for Data Advance,
- Dial
*135#or*135*082#on your Vodacom phone. - Select “Airtime & Transfers” from the menu.
- Choose “Data Advance” based on your qualifying amount.
- Reply with “1” to confirm.
Read;Telkom data plan: How to buy data and price
How do I get Vodacom Voice Advance?
- If you qualify for Voice Advance, dial *135# and then select ‘Airtime & Transfers’ or *135*082# and then select ‘Voice’.
- Select from the Voice Advance options as per your qualifying criteria:
20Min On-net (Vodacom-to-Vodacom),
35Min On-net (Vodacom-to-Vodacom),
60Min Any-net (Vodacom to any network),
80Min On-net (Vodacom-to-Vodacom),
150Min On-net (Vodacom-to-Vodacom)
- You will then see the confirmation message, select ‘1’ to Confirm.
How do I get Vodacom Airtime Advance?
- If you qualify for Airtime Advance,
- Dial
*135*082#on your Vodacom SIM - Select “Airtime Advance”
- Choose your desired amount (e.g. R5, R10, R20)
- Confirm the request by selecting ‘1’ to Confirm.
You’ll receive a confirmation SMS, and the airtime will be credited instantly.
How much does Airtime, Data & Voice Advance Cost?
- Dial
Here’s the cost breakdown for Vodacom South Africa’s Airtime, Data, and Voice Advance, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for:
Access Fee
- You’ll pay R1.20 (VAT inclusive) for every R10 or part thereof advanced.
- This fee applies to Airtime, Data, and Voice Advance equally.
- It’s deducted from your next recharge or added to your bill if you’re a Top-Up or uChoose customer.
Examples of Advance Costs
-
Advance Type Amount Borrowed Access Fee Total Deducted Airtime Advance R10 R1.20 R11.20 Data Advance R19 (300MB) R2.40 R21.40 Voice Advance R12 (60 Any-net mins) R1.20 R13.20 How to Repay back Vodacom Airtime, Data and Voice Advance
Repaying your Vodacom Airtime, Data, or Voice Advance is super simple, it’s designed to be automatic and stress-free. Here’s how it works:
- Automatic Deduction The total amount borrowed plus the access fee (R1.20 per R10 borrowed) is automatically deducted from your next recharge.
- Recharge-Based Recovery Just top up your Vodacom line with airtime, and Vodacom will deduct the outstanding amount. No manual steps needed.
- Hybrid & Top-Up Customers If you’re on a Top-Up or uChoose plan, the amount may be added to your next bill or recovered from bundle purchases if the advance is older than 30 days.
The payment of the Airtime, Data and/or Voice Advance will work as follows:
Example A:
If a customer has taken a R10 Airtime Advance and recharges R20, only R8.80 will be left due to the following:
The R10 (Airtime Advance) + R1.20 (access fee) = R11.20 will be deducted leaving the customer with a balance of R8.80.
Example B:
If the customer has taken R5 Data Advance and recharges R7, R.0.80 amount will be left due to the following:
The R5 (Data Advance) + R.1.20 (access fee) = R6.20 will be deducted, leaving a balance of R0.80.
What Happens If You Don’t Repay
- You’ll be barred from using Advance services until the debt is cleared.
- Your credit limit may be reduced.
- Vodacom may recover the debt from non-airtime bundle purchases if overdue.
By when should I make repayment?
You’ll need to repay your Vodacom Airtime, Data, or Voice Advance within 30 days. But here’s the smart move: repay as soon as you recharge—Vodacom automatically deducts the amount (plus the access fee) from your next top-up
- For Prepaid Customers, if you don’t repay the Advance within 30 days, you may be disqualified from the Service at the end of the immediate month following the 30 days or, depending on your profile, your Max Limit may be adjusted downwards.
- For uChoose/TopUp customers, the Airtime, Data & Voice Advance value must be paid within the 30 days of the request. should the customer not recharge within 30 days and/or the full value is not paid within the calendar month, the outstanding Advance amount will be added to the customer’s monthly bill for that calendar month which will become due and payable on their next payment.
How will Hybrid and Top Up Customers repay their outstanding Airtime Advances through bundle recovery?
If you’re a Vodacom Hybrid or Top Up customer, and you have an outstanding Airtime Advance older than 30 days, Vodacom may recover that debt through bundle purchases—even if you’re not using airtime to pay for the bundle.
- If a Hybrid and Top Up Customers has an outstanding Airtime Advance that is older than 30-days, and purchases a bundle without their airtime, Vodacom will use this bundle purchase to recover their outstanding advance. However, should the Hybrid and Top Up Customers not purchase a bundle or recharge within 30-days, then the Airtime Advance outstanding will then be added to your monthly bill.
