M&S Sparks Card: Rewards, Offers and Benefits

The M&S Sparks Card is Marks & Spencer’s loyalty scheme. Aptly named Sparks because historically, people have nicknamed the store “Marks & Sparks”, in this post we will look at the rewards and benefits to this loyalty card.

What are the benefits of M&S Sparks card?

In summary, these are the main benefits of a Sparks card:

A chance to win your shopping for free every time you scan

Free every 7th hot drink in M&S cafe
Kids Eat Free offers in the cafe (Dates are limited and usually during school holidays)
Special in-app offers exclusive to Sparks holders, e.g. 20% off school uniform (these change regularly and depend on your personal buying habits)

NEW: Money off days out with Sparks Days Out (£35 spend applies)
Regular money-off vouchers through the post
Digital receipts automatically added into the Sparks App

A donation to charity every time you shop – you can choose the charity you wish to support from a selection

What could be improved about M&S Sparks card?

I feel the lack of a points system leaves customers wondering what the benefit of them scanning their card regularly is – it doesn’t feel like you are working towards a reward for your loyalty (other than a free hot drink!)

How does M&S Sparks work?

Every time you shop in Marks & Spencer and use your Sparks card, you are privy to the list of benefits outlined above.

Perhaps the most lucrative of these is the chance to win your shopping for free at random, but I know I would be annoyed if I had bought a new sofa for example, and then got my shopping for free the time I popped in for a sandwich!

You are also given regular offers through the app tailored to what you buy and the frequency of your purchases. The official M&S Sparks FAQ hints that the more frequently you use your card, the more likely you are to be selected for “treats” and birthday offers, as these are not automatically given to every customer.

As a Sparks user, I am also regularly sent money off coupons through the post.

When you scan your Sparks card, or buy through the Sparks app, you automatically get a digital receipt within the app for your purchases, which is a handy feature, but not particularly a major draw to the loyalty scheme on its own.

Does M&S Sparks have a points system?

There are no points to build up and redeem like other loyalty schemes such as Boots Advantage Card or Nectar, and I do feel this is something that lets the scheme down somewhat.

Sparks did used to accumulate points, but the system was deemed confusing by customers, and so it was scrapped in a recent revamp. I do feel the system can still be a little confusing, and the benefits of scanning your card each time you shop are not made explicit.

After all, offers appear in the Sparks app for you whether or not you scan, and it is not made clear enough that these offers are tailored to the frequency and items you buy.

A recent update, similar to coffee shop apps such as Costa, is your ability to get a free hot drink every 7th purchase. This is a welcome addition to the range of Sparks benefits.

How to get a M&S Sparks card

To join Sparks, simply download the M&S app, or head to this link to register.

What is Sparks Days Out?

Introduced in 2023, Sparks Days Out is another perk added to the M&S Sparks offers. When you spend £35 across clothing and homewear in a single transaction online or instore and scan your Sparks card, you will be sent an email with a link giving you exclusive access for 3 months.

Powered by Kids Pass, this is essentially a way of getting access to Kids Pass (usually £7.99 a month) for free for 3 months. Here’s more on the Kids Pass App and the offers available so you can decide if its worth it for you.

If you are spending the £35 anyway, I would say this is a great offer and well worth taking advantage of.

If you aren’t going to be spending in M&S any time soon but would like to take advantage of a £1 for 40 days trial membership of Kids Pass , you can take advantage of my exclusive offer below.

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Sparks card FAQs

Can I get a physical Sparks card?

Although physical Sparks cards used to be issued automatically, they are now no longer issued to new customers. If you have an existing physical card, it will continue to work when scanned.

How do I get Sparks offers?

Log into the Sparks app, and the list of available offers will appear under the “new offers” tab. Simply select the ones you would like to use to load them to your card. They will then appear under the “my offers” and be redeemed at the checkout.

Is M&S Sparks card free?

Yes, it is completely free to join Sparks. Simply download the app or head to this link.

How do you get 10% off with Sparks?

You will regularly receive offers within the Sparks app for money off certain purchases, for example 15% off chilled desserts. The items are tailored to your buying habits so the more you scan your card, the more the offers may appeal to you. All offers have a time limit, and usually expire within 14 days before new offers appear.

Do you get free coffee with a Sparks card?

Yes, you can claim a free coffee, or any hot drink of your choosing, every 7th purchase of a hot drink. This offer is available within M&S cafes and vending machines.

In Summary: Is the Marks and Spencer Sparks card worth it?

To summarise, Sparks isn’t the greatest loyalty scheme out there, but if you are a regular M&S shopper, there are definite benefits to having a Sparks card.

As the scheme is free, there is no reason not to sign up and start earning free hot drinks and special offers.

Do you use M&S Sparks? Do you have any money savings tips for getting the best Sparks deals? Leave a comment and share with the community.

About the Author

Melissa is a working parent who left behind a senior management salary for a better work/life balance. Following her own money saving and money making strategies she was able to clear debt and live a life she loves. Blogging, selling digital products on Etsy and selling preloved items on eBay are her favourite side hustles. Read her story here.