Telebirr offers bonus rewards for certain transactions, including remittance receipts and self-service recharges. If you use Telebirr in Ethiopia, you may have a reward balance you can spend. Here is how to check it and what you can do with it.
What Is the Telebirr Reward Balance?
The reward balance is a bonus e-money credit that Telebirr adds to your account when you complete qualifying transactions. It is separate from your main wallet balance. You cannot withdraw it as cash, but you can use it for specific purchases within the Telebirr ecosystem.
Rewards accumulate automatically. You do not need to opt in or apply for them.
How Do You Earn Rewards?
There are two main ways to earn Telebirr rewards:
Remittance incentive. When someone sends money to your Telebirr wallet through an international remittance partner, you may receive a 10% e-money incentive on the received amount. This incentive is credited as reward balance.
Self-service recharge bonus. When you buy airtime or data packages through the Telebirr app or USSD menu, a 10% bonus is added. This bonus is valid for 5 days from the time it is credited.
Note that the specific incentive percentages and terms may change over time. Check the Telebirr app or Ethio Telecom's website for current offers.
How to Check Your Reward Balance
There are two ways to check your reward balance:
Method 1: Using the Telebirr App
Open the Telebirr app on your smartphone. Your reward balance is displayed alongside your main wallet balance. Some versions of the app show it on the home screen, while others show it when you initiate a qualifying transaction like an airtime purchase.
Method 2: Using USSD (No Internet Needed)
Dial *127# on your Ethio Telecom line. Navigate to the next page by pressing #. Select "Redeem incentive" from the menu. Follow the prompts to view your available reward balance.
The USSD method works on any phone, including basic feature phones, and does not require an internet connection.
What Can You Spend Rewards On?
Your reward balance can be used for:
- Airtime purchases. Buy talk time for your Ethio Telecom line.
- Data and voice packages. Purchase internet data bundles or voice packages.
- Peer-to-peer transfers. Send reward balance to other Telebirr users.
When you make a qualifying purchase through the Telebirr app or USSD, you will see an option to use your reward balance at the PIN entry screen. Tick the "Reward Balance" checkbox to apply your rewards to the transaction.
What You Cannot Use Rewards For
Reward balance cannot be used for cash withdrawal at agent locations, bill payments to merchants or utility companies, or repayment of airtime or package credit. It is limited to the specific uses listed above.
Important Details About Reward Expiry
Rewards earned from self-service recharges are valid for 5 days. Rewards from data or voice package purchases are aligned with the validity of the respective package. If you do not use your rewards within the validity period, they expire.
Because of the short validity window, it is best to use your reward balance soon after it is credited.
Tips for Managing Your Rewards
Check regularly. Make it a habit to check your reward balance after receiving a remittance or buying airtime. The USSD method (*127#) takes less than a minute.
Use rewards before they expire. If you have reward balance from a remittance or recharge, apply it toward your next airtime or data purchase within the validity window.
Combine with regular balance. If your reward balance does not cover the full cost of a purchase, the remainder is charged to your main Telebirr wallet.
Summary
Telebirr rewards are a small but useful bonus, especially for remittance recipients who receive the 10% e-money incentive. Check your balance using the app or by dialing *127#, and use it before it expires. For the best remittance rates to Telebirr wallets, compare providers on Send Money and check bank rates on BirrValue.
This article is for informational purposes only. BirrValue does not provide financial advice.