Double or Triple the value of your Airtime Purchases

Savvy Tracfone users use promotional codes to double, or sometimes triple, the value of their unit purchase!  You can, too.  If you meet Tracfone's criteria (in detail below) you can add a promotional bonus code to the end of any PIN from a valid airtime card.  Here's where to find the codes and the best ways to use them.

Find Bonus Codes

On eBay you can BUY bonus codes one of two ways:

1. Buy airtime from an eBay seller that advertises promotional codes as a free bonus to their auctions. 
   
2. Purchase a code as a product itself (usually costs about $2.99 per code).  

Here's a freebie bonus code: 58298 will add an extra 30 min on a 60 min card. You can get all the promotional codes I have by buying any PIN from me: Cheap talk time with bonus codes
Mention this guide and I'll give you all of my sources for bonus codes, FREE!

Outside of eBay you can find them for FREE:

1. Search Google for "Tracfone Promotional Codes"
• Several pages appear, many from eBay sellers.  These pages are updated frequently on the validity of the codes which is based on buyer feedback.
2. Go to Tracfone's website.  Click "purchase phone" and read the fine print at the bottom, or in a pop up window.  Often bonus codes will be peppered throughout their site.
   
3. Sign up for Tracfone's email newsletter "Tracfone Insider" on their web page.  They send out promotional codes regularly and will give you 20 units for signing up.
• From my experience, they only send about one email a month, well worth the return on investment.
  

Enter Promotional Codes into Your Phone

Several of my clients on eBay miss out on promotional codes, simply because they do not enter them correctly into their phone.  Here's how to maximize the potential of your promotional codes:

Use the Tracfone Website

When entering a PIN and bonus code, use the Tracfone website.  If a promotional code does not work, you can try another code with the same PIN.  Alternatively, you can wait a few hours and try again.

Tracfone is trying to get more users to use "RAPID REFILL" on their own phones.  I would recommend trying to use the website twice.  If they say to enter the code directly into your phone, try the website one more time, in the same window.  They'll usually let you input the PIN and bonus code right there, and give you a code to enter into your phone from the website.

1. Click "add airtime" at the top of the page.
2. Follow the step-by-step directions to add airtime to your phone.
3. Enter your airtime PIN, followed immediately by the promo code (like the one above 58298) that you want to use. If it is invalid, try a different bonus code until one does work.
4. If it says to add it directly to your phone, stop, try again in the same web window. The page will reload and let you add it online and take advantage of the promo codes above.

This method maximizes your chances to use a bonus code.  However, some phones technology are not set up to use all promotional codes.  Many times, when a user enters the code into their phone, it will read "invalid" and the bonus will not work.  The PINs units and days will be added, but the bonus is lost.  If this happens, there is still a way to add a bonus, read on:

Call Tracfone (800) 867-7183.

Using their automated system, you can try several bonus codes just like on the website. Always call Tracfone directly using a land line (saves minutes on your tracfone!).

If all else fails, sometimes they'll add bonus minutes even if a code is expired, or you have trouble with a promo code simply to provide the best possible customer service.  Some phone technology is not set up for bonus codes so you have to talk to a representative to get your bonus. 

Remember they're trying to keep your business, so if you want to take advantage of a promotional code that hasn't worked through other methods they might add minutes manually just to keep you as a happy customer.

Enter them directly into your phone using rapid refill

This option is my least favorite.  At least with the other two, you can try other codes, or talk to someone that can add minutes for you.  When it's just you and a phone in your hand you get more frustrated, and lack the options of the methods above.  If you really want to do it this way, use Tracfone's website to get step-by-step directions for your particular phone.

While we can give you a better price, no other seller, or eBayer can really give you better directions for adding minutes to your phone than Tracfone.

The not so fine print: NOT GUARANTEED

Tracfone is explicit, as are many eBayers, as to the conditions regarding promotional codes.  Promotional and bonus codes are not guaranteed.  However, if you make sure you meet the following criteria, you're more likely to get a bonus, or convince a Tracfone representative to give you those extra minutes.  Be sure that:

• The promotional code you wish to use has not been used on your phone before.
  
• Your service has not been active for more than 24 months.
• You do not try to use more than one promotional code per PIN you are adding to your phone.

Good luck out there.  I wish many free minutes upon you!
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