Airtel Zambia introduces online mastercard services

Airtel Money Mastercard is a virtual card that allows you to buy goods and services from merchants across the world online through Your Airtel Money wallet. Airtel Zambia recently announced that it is set to expand its mobile money services as the company and is soon expected to launch virtual cards which will enable Airtel mobile money account holders to enjoy privileges that were once limited to the traditional bank accounts.

Airtel Zambia has launched virtual cards in the Zambian market. A check by ZBT analysts on what was launched in other African markets relating to virtual cards shows that a similar partnership with MasterCard enabled mobile money account holders to pay for online services, apps, hotels, digital content, and any other payment services that bank debit cards can do.

Virtual cards will be enabled to shop online and pay for services like Netflix etc so long as one has a phone and have an active mobile money account.

The introduction of virtual cards on mobile money accounts will deliver international digital payment capabilities and will take away the debatable competitive advantage and the need for traditional bank accounts for the vast majority of consumers and medium-size businesses.

Airtel Money Mastercard enables you to pay all online merchants around the world that accept Mastercard payments such as Netflix, Amazon, Alibaba, Uber, etc.

“Airtel Africa Announces Partnership with Mastercard to Transform Digital Payments Landscape and Connect 100 Million Consumers in Africa Partnership will connect millions of Airtel Money customers to a global online market place, across multiple digital payment use cases and provide access to Mastercard’s global network of merchants Airtel Money customers, even those without a bank account, can now make online payments globally with their Airtel Money Mastercard virtual card Mastercard’s’ enabling infrastructure and proposition(s) will enable a superior digital experience which Africa consumers are aspiring to and by so doing ultimately drive greater adoption and usage for the Airtel Money customers”

In conclusion. we finally have a means of making online store payments without the limitation of not having a traditional bank account. Here we have the answer to some questions (FAQs) we think one may have;

Airtel Money MasterCard FAQs

1. What is the “Airtel Money MasterCard”?

• It is a virtual (non-plastic) Debit card that is linked to your Airtel money wallet that enables a customer to carry out online transactions.

2. What is Master Card?

• MasterCard is a Worldwide Credit & Debit card corporation that works with financial institutions to issue credit & debit cards. The Credit and Debit cards distributed by the company are done so under the MasterCard Brand, which is one of the three major credit cards accepted by vendors across the world.

3. What transactions am I able to do with Airtel Money MasterCard?

• Online purchases, at all e-commerce sites where MasterCard is accepted.

4. What is the difference between a virtual card and a physical card?

• The Physical card is an actual tangible one that can be used to swipe in shops with Master card POS and withdraw from Master Card accepted ATMs. On the other hand, the Virtual Card is not tangible and can only be used for online payments that accept MasterCard.

5. How does one request or create Airtel Money MasterCard (Virtual Card Number)?

• Dial Airtel Money USSD: *778#
• Select #7. My Account/PIN
• Select #5. Mastercard
• Select #1. Get Card
• Enter Airtel Money PIN to confirm Airtel Money MasterCard virtual card creation
• Customer receives SMS notification with a link for your Airtel Money MasterCard details…PAN, CVV, and expiry date.

6. How does one use Airtel Money MasterCard (virtual card)?

• The virtual card will only be used for online purchases like Netflix, Aliexpress, Amazon

- The Customer will simply have to go online, fill the cart with items to buy

- At checkout, the customer will choose pay by MasterCard then enter card details PAN, CVV, and expiry date.

- The transaction will only be successful if the virtual card details entered are correct, the customer’s wallet is not barred on Airtel Money and the customer has sufficient balance.

- Only then after the above criteria are met, will the customer’s transaction be successful and their Airtel money Account Deducted

7. How does one Get Details of Airtel Money MasterCard (Virtual Card Number)?

• Dial Airtel Money USSD: *778#
• Select #7. My Account/PIN
• Select #5. Mastercard
• Select #2. View Card
• Enter Airtel Money PIN to confirm
• Customer receives SMS notification telling about the deleted card

8. How does one Delete of Airtel Money MasterCard (Virtual Card Number)?

• Dial Airtel Money USSD: *778#
• Select #7. My Account/PIN
• Select #5. Mastercard
• Select #3. Delete Card
• Enter Airtel Money PIN to confirm
• Customer receives SMS notification telling about the deleted card

9. How does a customer top up their Airtel Money MasterCard (Virtual Card) more value?

- This is a debit card that does not need top-ups, it's linked directly to your Airtel Money wallet. As long as there is balance and card details supplied are correct transaction goes through.

10. If a customer tries to make a payment that is more than what is available in Airtel Money wallet balance.

- Unfortunately the transaction will fail due to insufficient funds.