Ultimate Guide To M&S Sparks
/With the M&S Sparks loyalty program you get access to offers, shopping lotteries and treats. Here’s my full guide and review to M&S Sparks.
Sparks offers and treats are the best benefits (just make sure to save them in-app). It’s very rare to get a shopping lottery win - Andrew Cunningham (Capital Matters Editor)
Related: Boots Advantage | Co-Op Rewards | Costa Club | LEGO Insiders | Microsoft Rewards | Morrisons More | Nandos Rewards | Nectar Points | Subway Rewards | Tesco Clubcard
How To Join Sparks
To receive any of the benefits of sparks, you have to sign up to an account online (or over the phone). You can pick up a physical card in store before you’ve opened an account. You’ll just need to add the card to your account as part of the sign-up process.
If you open the account online before you pick up a physical card, you’ll be given a digital card number. You can use the card number to shop online or you can scan a digital card when you’re in store.
You can find your digital card in the ‘Sparks’ section of the M&S app. If you then pick up a physical card, you can change your Sparks number to match that one through your Sparks account or through the app. On the app, just go to ‘Sparks’ and then ‘Change Card’.
Can You Add Your Sparks Card To Apple Wallet?
Sparks Points Are Gone
The old Sparks points system (which was extremely limited) was ditched back on the 9th of July 2020. Any points you had prior to that date have now disappeared.
Instead, M&S have been focusing on offers, treats, free shopping lotteries and charitable giving.
Marks and Spencers Sparks Offers
Similar to the old Sparks, you can check your Sparks account (either online or via the app) to see if you have any personalised offers (eg. discounts off certain product ranges or freebies).
The offers can apply in-store (like the free tote offer below) or online.
The Free Shopping Lottery
One newer benefit to Sparks is the free shopping lottery.
Once per week, in every store in the UK (this doesn’t include BP Garage M&S Stores), one person will be given their M&S shop for free.
The entire value of the shop will be paid for, except for alcohol in Scotland and Wales and gift cards.
There is no minimum shop price to be eligible so you may be one of the lucky few to get an expensive shop paid for. Either that, or that sandwich you grabbed for your lunch will be free, only saving you a few pounds.
Random Customer Treats and Gift Cards
Similar to the free shopping lottery, M&S will reward members with little treats from time to time.
Any Sparks customer can be selected at random and the number and type of treat varies. These are only usually little treats. Products like Percy Pigs, chocolates, candles etc.
If you Scan your Sparks card, you’ll also be entered into a weekly £5,000 M&S eGift card draw. One winner will be selected each week and the draw will take place on Monday.
You’ll be notified, if you’re a winner, within 10 working days.
Again, this is a nice little bonus, but similar to the free shopping lottery, neither a treat nor an eGift card is guaranteed.
Charitable Donations
As it was prior to the 2020 Sparks changes, M&S will still donate 1p to your charity of choice when you scan your Sparks card shopping online or in store (excludes BP and channel island stores).
But they have updated the list of charities to include a much greater number of causes (previously it was 9).
The list of charities includes Prostate Cancer UK, The National Trust, Lifeboats, Unicef, Royal British Legion, The British Heart Foundation, Dementia UK and others.
So you’ll be able to pick a charity which will be closer to your heart.
You can make the selection either online or through the app. Just go to ‘Sparks’ and then ‘Your Charity’.
Per individual, this won’t add up to much. Likely only a few pence for most people, per year. But it does all add up. And at least you’ll have greater control over your charitable selection this time around.
How To Check And Activate Sparks Offers
You can check your sparks offers on your sparks account (either online or through the app). On the app, go to ‘Sparks’ and you’ll see your listed offers. It’s here that you can then activate your offers. Offers need to be activated before they can be redeemed so it’s worthwhile checking the app when you’re in store.
Overall, How Good Is The Marks and Spencer Sparks Program?
Overall, I would say this Sparks scheme is just as lacking as the pre-July 2020 loyalty programme.
The new Sparks offering is original, I’ll give them that. Especially the free shopping lottery. But most of the new benefits are not guaranteed (eg. free shops, gift cards, treats). The only guarantee is the 1p charitable donation per shop and offers (which may or may not be relevant to you).
£2 + Ongoing M&S Cashback With JamDoughnut
Download the JamDoughnut cashback app and enter referral code CTUI when you register to get 200 Bonus Points (worth £2) when you first use it. Then buy an M&S eGift Card through JamDoughnut to get instant cashback. You can redeem the gift card in-store or online. Read the M&S Gift Card T&Cs here.
Related: Boots Advantage | Co-Op Rewards | Costa Club | LEGO Insiders | Microsoft Rewards | Morrisons More | Nandos Rewards | Nectar Points | Subway Rewards | Tesco Clubcard
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