How to buy Safaricom calls and SMS with no expiry date & check balance

In previous posts I have written about various Safaricom All in One Bundles and SMS bundles. This was before Safaricom introduced calls and SMS with no expiry date.

Before, you could buy an SMS bundle or a Platinum / Advantage / All in One Bundle (which combine both data + SMS + voice) and use it all before the expiry date.

But 2019 came. Safaricom celebrated being 19 (years old!) and they introduced a few things that weren’t previously offered by the telco – namely:

 Note: This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on something I recommend and purchase it, I will receive a commission for the sale – at no extra cost to you. 
  1. calls & SMS with no expiry date
  2. data bundles with no expiry date.

This article goes into detail about the calls and SMS with no expiry date feature recently introduced by the mobile phone service provider.

In the post I am going to show you how to buy the calls / SMS for your number (or another Safaricom phone number). I am also going to show you how you can quickly check your balance for both calls & SMS.

But first, what do subscribers really get when they purchase the newly introduced calls / SMS feature? May be a few text messages from the telco itself will explain to you what you get. So here are some that I have been receiving these past few weeks.

  1. ‘What has changed FOR YOU? 1. Bundles with No Expiry Date 2. Buy for any amount even 1/ – 3. 50% Extra airtime for Calls and SMS across all networks. Dial *544#.’
  2. ‘*544*2*Amount# will give you 50% EXTRA airtime for calls and SMS. Example *544*2*20# will give you KSh 30 airtime with NO EXPIRY for only 20 bob.’
  3. ‘YOU ARE SPECIAL! 50 bob FREE Airtime for every 100 bob. TOPUP NOW and Dial *544*2*100# to redeem your bonus with NO EXPIRY for Calls across ALL NETWORKS.’
  4. ‘CONGRATULATIONS! You will be awarded 10 bob FREE Airtime for every 20 bob Top up. Dial *544*2*20# now to get airtime for calls & SMS across all networks.’
  5. ‘GIFTS Today! Get 10 bob FREE Airtime for every 20 bob Airtime you buy. Dial *544*2*20# now to get airtime for calls & SMS across ALL NETWORKS.’

Essentially you can use your purchase to call Safaricom and other networks in Kenya. As long as you have some remaining balance, you don’t have to worry about not being able to use it because of some limit (like a 30 day expiry) imposed by the telco – which is the case with say All in One Bundles.

See also  How to buy Flex bundles for other number from your Safaricom line

Safaricom calls & SMS with no expiry date: How it works

  1. Top up airtime using any of the methods listed in this article. If you want to spend KSh 20 for example, buy a scratch card and load the airtime using the methods shown here or if you want to purchase from M-PESA, follow the steps here.
  2. Then purchase by dialing *544*2*Amount#. To spend the KSh 20 for example, dial *544*2*20#
  3. Receive your purchase + bonus airtime to call and SMS Safaricom and other networks in Kenya like Equitel, Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya. And the bonus you get during purchase is 50 percent of the amount you spend. So, if you spend Kenya Shillings 20 towards your purchase, you will get the KSh 20 plus another 10 Shillings (a total of KSh 30 to call and SMS all networks in Kenya – without worrying about an expiry date.)

How to purchase for your Safaricom line

There are various ways to purchase Safaricom calls & SMS with no expiry date. First, I am going to show you how to use the *544# Safaricom USSD code, then later show you how to use *100# short code to do the same.

See also  The new self-service menu on Safaricom *100#

So, say you want to spend Kenya Shillings 20, just follow the steps below:

  • Dial *544*2*20# on your feature phone, smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer (if using your SIM in a modem or router)

OR

  • Dial *544#
  • Select option 2: Calls & SMS (NO EXPIRY DATE)
  • Select option 1: Buy for My Number
  • Enter Amount you wish to spend e.g. 20
  • ‘Confirm purchase of Ksh 30 Airtime for Calls and SMS (NO EXPIRY DATE) @Ksh 20′
  • Reply with 1 to pay with Airtime or 2 to pay for your purchase via M-Pesa
    If you want to change the amount you wish to spend, select option 3: Enter a Different Amount
    Wait for a confirmation SMS from Safaricom
    Now, you can call and SMS without worrying about expiry dates

OR

  • Dial *100#
  • Select option 9: Buy
  • Select option 2: Calls & SMS (NO EXPIRY DATE)
  • Select option 1: Buy for My Number
  • Enter amount you wish to spend
  • Pay via M-PESA or using airtime

How to purchase for another number

Here is how to purchase calls and SMS with no expiry date for another Safaricom phone number.

  • Dial *544#
  • Select option 2: Calls & SMS (NO EXPIRY DATE)
  • Select option 2: Buy for Other Number
  • Enter the phone number e.g. 0704123456
  • Enter amount you wish to spend e.g. 20
  • ‘Confirm purchase of Ksh 30 Airtime for Calls and SMS @Ksh 20 (NO EXPIRY DATE) for 0704123456’
  • Pay with – 1: Airtime or 2: M-Pesa
    To enter a different amount, reply with 3: Enter a Different Amount
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OR

  • Dial *100#
  • Select option 9: Buy
  • Select option 2: Calls & SMS (NO EXPIRY DATE)
  • Select option 2: Buy for Other Number
  • Enter the phone number e.g. 0704123456
  • Enter amount you wish to spend e.g. 20
  • ‘Confirm purchase of Ksh 30 Airtime for Calls and SMS @Ksh 20 (NO EXPIRY DATE) for 0704123456’
  • Pay with – 1: Airtime or 2: M-Pesa
    To enter a different amount, reply with 3: Enter a Different Amount

How to check balance for Safaricom Calls & SMS (NO EXPIRY DATE)

  • Dial *544#
  • Select option 2: Calls & SMS (NO EXPIRY DATE)
  • Select option 3: Balance

To learn more about checking Safaricom balances, read the following posts:

  1. How to Check Safaricom Airtime Balance (Postpay & Prepay)
  2. Safaricom Check My Usage and Balance via 100 Menu

That is all!

If you have something you’d like to bring to my attention, use the comments section below.

To read my other articles on Safaricom products and services, go here.

To read my most recent articles, head to the homepage by clicking Niabusiness.com.

2 thoughts on “How to buy Safaricom calls and SMS with no expiry date & check balance”

    • Type safaricom.com/bundles on your web browser and you will be shown your bundle balance online. You’ll not be charged for visiting the address / page.

      Reply

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