I've been getting M & S loyalty points ever since they started and changed from a chargecard to an M & S creditcard years ago.

When I moved to Spain I kept my UK bank account and wanted to keep one UK credit card to use for Sterling purchases. I chose to keep the M&S card because I knew I would keep shopping with them on trips home and thought I would still get loyalty points. I checked with M&S Money and they said it was fine to register the card to an overseas address. They neglected to mention that they don't give points to overseas cardholders.

I stopped paper statements so it took a while to notice that I wasn't getting points. When I did I emailed M&S money and they just said 'sorry we only administer the scheme for M&S, write to Retail Customer Services'. I did this and they said 'not us M&S money'. Neither were able to tell me why they have this policy or more to the point - where it is written down. The card terms and conditions don't mention it and the website clearly says you get points for all purchases including those abroad. I don't use the card in Spain but thats not really the point. I've spent quite a bit using the card on the internet and on trips home. I don't see why my loyalty to M&S is worth less because I don't live in the UK. If I hadn't chosen to stop paper statements they would have had to write to me regularly anyway.

Now that they are trying to expand their business in Spain and have extended internet shopping to over 70 countries you would think they might be trying to encourage us expat card holders.

I'm about to write to Sir Stuart Rose and complain.

Rose

It is the same with all loyalty cards, Air Miles etc have the same conditions. Marks in Spain is only a franchise anyway.

But they do accept the M&S store card - they originally didn't.

I would have thought you would have realised by now that as an ex pat you have become a leper!

Is this an appropriate thread to go off topic just a meancy bit (as my 7yo would say) to ask if anyone knows when/if M & S is actually going to open at La Canada near Marbella?

It's only a teeny weeny bit off topic but the latest info says 14th November.

It is the same franchise as the Gib one and as Fred says allegedly opening in Nov.

I hope it's successful but think the investors are taking a risk right now. Already British shops like Wallis, Dorothy Perkins in La Canada. Retail sales are down. The nice bowling alley there has shut down half of it and the rents are very high. Not for the faint-hearted. Probably do well in the run up to Xmas but afterwards

double post!

yes after 2 years you think I would know better. I've decided to be a leper with a mission!

After telling M&S money yesterday that I plan writing to Sir Stuart Rose this morning they miraculously managed to find a quote from a document that says the following -
"I have read through your emails and understand your comments and I have investigated this further. We no longer issue separate terms for the Loyalty Scheme as they have been integrated with the terms for the credit card. However, when your card was issued the Loyalty terms were separate. The Terms state that 'the Loyalty scheme is only available to accounts with a UK, Channel Island or BFPO address. Membership is entirely at our discretion, and accordingly, we reserve the right to refuse any applications'. There is no given reason for this and when I investigated this it would appear the cost was a factor, due to postage and limited means to use the vouchers. Understandably there are customers who would return to the UK and spend the vouchers, however, the decision would have been based on a wider scale."

I suppose I should be content with this but frankly I don't think it stands up to much scrutiny. I imagine that most people holding an M&S credit card do so because they expect to spend money in M&S regardless of wherever they happen to be living. The postage argument holds no water because they have to send out statements anyway. If they wanted to avoid this they could give out e-vouchers to use online. They are trying to expand their online shopping service overseas so you'd think this would be worth their while. At the very least they should change their website so it doesn't say that people with their card earn points wherever they shop, even abroad.

I'm sending off my plea to Sir Stuart this weekend. Watch it get stuck in the postal strike

Rose

A woman after my own heart. Good luck & keep us posted!

Thanks - I will

Rose

Dear Rose
About a year ago I realised we were no longer getting our vouchers and contacted the call centre. Was told that T&Cs said living abroad made you non eligible and decided whilst unfair, to leave it.
i am spurred on now by your comments and will also be writing to Sir M&S to try and get some equality.

*said in a very teenage manner* go you, go you, go go go you.......
seriously, good on you and good luck