If you’re not getting data bonuses like before or you have data bonus but can’t use them, there are two separate issues that might be causing this. So in this post, we are going to break them down and answer your question; why is my MTN data bonus not working.
If you used to get data bonuses before but no longer get it anymore, it could be because you’re not on the default tariff plan anymore.
YafunYafun is a special tariff plan for new MTN customers. When you register and activate a new SIM, you get great rewards and benefits.
For every recharge of N100 and above, you get a whopping 700% bonus. This bonus includes 300% extra data and 400% bonus airtime. Plus, you also get 100% bonus data on certain data bundles.
These benefits are meant to be enjoyed for a limited time. You can enjoy the 100% Data Bonus for 3 months, and the 700% bonus on all your recharges for 6 months. After that, the bonuses stop.
Why is my MTN Data Bonus not Working
If your MTN data bonus is not working and you’re not receiving data bonus then it’s likely you have exceeded the time frame you’re allowed to use those bonuses. The bonuses are meant to be enjoyed for a limited time, once the validity elapses, the bonuses will not work again.
So, imagine you have data in your account, plus some bonus data from MTN. But now, when you check, your main data balance, you’ll notice it has reduced, while the bonus data remains the same. It’s like the bonus data isn’t being used at all.
I had a similar experience recently when I was using my MTN line. And if you’re reading this, chances are you’re going through the same thing and you’re wondering why it’s happening.
Well, don’t worry, I’ve got some answers for you. As we go on, I’ll explain why your MTN data bonus might not be working like it should.
It’s normal to want to use more data when you have a lot of data bonuses in your account. So, it’s frustrating when you realize you’ve been using your main data instead of the bonus data.
The reason why your MTN data bonus isn’t working depends on what kind of bonus you have. Even though they’re all called data bonuses, they can be different.
Depending on your tariff plan, you might get data bonuses when you recharge airtime or buy a data bundle. Some bonuses come as airtime and can be used for both calls and data, while others are specifically for YouTube.
If you’re trying to use a YouTube data bonus to browse the internet, you’ll end up using your regular data instead, and that is why your MTN data bonus is not working.
In my case, the data bonus I got remained untouched after long hours of me surfing the internet because the data bonus is specifically for YouTube, and I haven’t been using YouTube.
How to activate Data Bonus on MTN
To activate data bonus on MTN, you have two options to choose from. Let’s look at each of them:
The first way is by being on a tariff plan that rewards you with data bonuses. For example, if you’re on the MTN BetaTalk prepaid tariff plan, you’ll receive a 250% airtime bonus and up to N2500 worth of data bonus every time you recharge. Similarly, the MTN Pulse tariff plan offers even larger data bonuses on specific data plans.
To activate the data bonus associated with a specific tariff plan, you need to switch to that plan. Here’s how:
- Dial the code *123*2# on your phone.
- You’ll see a list of tariff plans to choose from.
- Select the tariff plan you want to migrate to by pressing the corresponding number.
The second way is by purchasing a data bundle that includes bonus data. MTN often offers promotions where you can get extra data when you buy a specific data bundle. Keep an eye out for these promotions and take advantage of them to get bonus data along with your regular data purchase.
By following these steps, you can activate data bonus on your MTN line and enjoy extra data to browse, stream, and stay connected for longer periods without worrying about running out of data.
For example, let’s say you’re interested in the 10GB data bundle priced at N3,000. This bundle not only gives you 10GB of data but also includes an extra 4GB bonus data specifically for YouTube usage.
If you’re someone who frequently watches YouTube videos, this option would be great for you. However, if you don’t use YouTube much, you might prefer the 11GB for N3,000 option, which gives you more general data without any specific bonus allocation.
By choosing the data bundle that best fits your usage patterns, you can maximize the value you get from your data purchases on the MTN network.
When can I use my MTN Data Bonus?
You can use your MTN data bonus anytime you want, but some bonuses have specific time restrictions. This means they’re only available to use during certain hours.
For instance, let’s take the YouTube data bonus as an example. This bonus is specifically for streaming YouTube videos, but it’s only active from 11 PM to 6 AM each day. That’s a total of 7 hours every night.
During these hours, you can use the YouTube data bonus to watch videos on the YouTube app or website without any worries. However, outside of this time frame, you won’t be able to use the bonus, and any data you use will be deducted from your main data balance or other available data balances.
So, make sure to keep track of the time restrictions on your data bonuses to make the most out of them and avoid unexpected data charges.
Conclusion
It’s important to check the validity period of your data bonus and understand its type so you know when to use it and avoid getting charged from your main data balance.
Also, if you have multiple data plans on your MTN line, data usage is typically deducted from the plan with the earliest expiry date. You can check more details about your data bonuses by dialing *323*4#. This will show you your total bonus, the bonus that will expire first, and their expiry dates.
If your bonus data has a later expiry date compared to another data plan on your line, your data usage will be deducted from the other plan first before tapping into your bonus.
However, bonus data meant for specific purposes, like the YouTube bonus data, will always be used when you’re on YouTube, regardless of the expiry dates of other data plans.
By keeping these points in mind, you can manage your data usage effectively and make the most out of your bonuses without any unexpected charges.