Last Verified: July 2026
Quick Answer
The official MTN Loyalty Points USSD code for MTN South Africa is *234#. Dialling this code opens the MyMTN YelloBucks menu, where you can register your profile, check your points balance, play the daily game for free prizes, and redeem your earned YelloBucks for airtime, data, or retail vouchers.
Alternatively, you can access the YelloBucks loyalty portal through the main MTN self-service USSD menu by dialling *135# and selecting Option 5 (YelloBucks).
What the Service Is and Who Can Use It
MyMTN YelloBucks is the official rewards and loyalty programme offered by Mobile Telephone Networks (MTN) South Africa. The service allows subscribers to accumulate loyalty points (YelloBucks) by spending on the network and spending those points on digital bundles or third-party rewards.
Who Is Eligible?
- Prepaid Subscribers: Active MTN PayAsYouGo customers.
- Contract & TopUp Subscribers: Active MTN Post-Paid and TopUp customers in good financial standing.
- Age & Residency: Individuals aged 16 or older who are South African citizens or permanent residents with a valid ID or passport.
Exclusions
- Telemetry, Machine-to-Machine (M2M), and Internet of Things (IoT) SIM cards.
- Dual-call secondary SIM numbers, Least Cost Routers (LCRs), and Community Pay Phones.
- Accounts with suspended or delinquent billing statuses.
How to Check and Use Rewards
Before You Start
- Ensure your MTN SIM card is active and inserted into your device with mobile network coverage.
- Have your SA ID or Passport number ready if you are registering for the first time.
- Note that YelloBucks are tied directly to your specific mobile number and cannot be merged or transferred between multiple SIM cards.
Verified Step-by-Step Process
- Dial the Code: Open your phone’s dialler and enter
*234#, then press the Call/Send button. - Register (First-Time Users Only): If you haven’t activated your profile, select the registration option on-screen and follow the prompts.
- View Balance: Select the YelloBucks Balance option from the main menu to view your current points total.
- Play & Win: Choose the Play & Win option to use your two free daily chances to win instant data, voice bundles, or extra points.
- Redeem Rewards: Select Spend YelloBucks to browse available airtime, data bundles, or partner retail discount vouchers.
- Confirm Transaction: Choose your desired bundle or reward, review the cost in YelloBucks, and select Confirm.
Confirmation or Expected Result
- On-Screen Notification: Once submitted, a popup menu will display a prompt confirming whether the action or redemption was successful.
- SMS Confirmation: You will receive a system text message from MTN confirming your updated YelloBucks balance or providing details/activation receipts for redeemed voice, data, or voucher codes.
Fees, Limits, Eligibility, and Processing Times
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
| USSD Session Fee | Free | Dialling *234# or *135# does not consume airtime or data. |
| Earning Rate | 1 YelloBuck per R1 spent | Earned on airtime recharges, bundle purchases, and monthly subscription payments. |
| Daily Game Limit | 2 Free Plays / day | Unused daily plays expire at 23:59 each night. Additional plays can be unlocked by recharging. |
| Point Expiry | 365 Days / Inactivity rules | Points expire if unused after 1 year. Accounts inactive for 60+ days incur a monthly inactivity maintenance fee of 150 YelloBucks. |
| Processing Time | Instant to 15 Minutes | Network traffic can occasionally delay confirmation SMS delivery. |
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Code, Session, SIM, or Account Errors
- “Connection Problem or Invalid MMI Code”:
- Cause: Intermittent signal loss or standard network timeout.
- Fix: Verify you have signal bars, toggle Airplane Mode on and off, and re-dial
*234#.
- “User Profile Not Found / Registration Required”:
- Cause: Points are not tracked until you formally activate your YelloBucks membership.
- Fix: Complete the one-time registration prompt via
*234#or use the official MTN App.
- “Insufficient YelloBucks Balance”:
- Cause: You do not have enough points to complete the selected bundle redemption.
- Fix: Check your balance first to ensure you meet the minimum required points for the product.
When the Service Has Changed or Is Unavailable
- Network Service Outages: During scheduled maintenance, USSD sessions may drop. Wait 15 to 30 minutes before trying again.
- Unallocated Points: If you made a qualifying recharge or contract payment but points do not reflect, allow up to 24 hours for billing systems to reconcile.
Official Alternatives
When the USSD service is unresponsive or timed out, use these official MTN channels:
- Official MTN App (Zero-Rated): Download or open the MTN App on Android/iOS. Navigate to the YelloBucksapplet to check balances, register, play the daily game, and spend points. Browsing the MTN App is zero-rated and does not use active mobile data.
- MTN WhatsApp Self-Service: Message “Hi” to MTN Chat on WhatsApp (083 123 0011) to manage basic account services.
- Customer Support: Call 135 (Free from an MTN SIM) or visit an official MTN Retail Store for account disputes or missing-points investigations.
Safety and Privacy
Security Warning: MTN will never ask for your SIM PIN, Mobile Money (MoMo) PIN, one-time PINs (OTPs), or online banking passwords to check or credit your loyalty points.
- Never Share Credentials: USSD registration only requires standard profile identification details (such as your Name and ID number).
- Beware of Fraud: Ignore SMS messages or callers offering to “double your YelloBucks” in exchange for transferring airtime or providing personal banking details.
- Reporting Scams: Report fraudulent activities by calling MTN Customer Care at 135.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current MTN Loyalty Points USSD Code?
The main USSD code is *234#. You can also access loyalty settings through the main MTN menu by dialling *135# and selecting Option 5.
How can points be checked?
Dial *234# and select the Balance option. You can also log into the free MTN App and view your YelloBucks dashboard on the home screen.
How are rewards earned?
You automatically earn 1 YelloBuck for every R1 spent on airtime recharges, bundle purchases, or active monthly contract subscriptions. You can also win bonus points through the daily Play & Win game.
Do points expire?
Yes. YelloBucks expire after 365 days if unused. Additionally, accounts with no redemption activity for 60 consecutive days incur a 150 YelloBucks monthly maintenance deduction until activity resumes.
What should I do if the MTN USSD route does not work?
If dialling *234# fails or times out, open the zero-rated MTN App on your device to manage your rewards directly. Alternatively, contact MTN Support by dialling 135.