Supermarket giant offering all loyalty scheme members better rates on travel money this summer to save you cash

The Sun

2 days ago

M&S has launched a click & collect for travel money as well as better rates for Sparks customers.
Jet-setters can now pre-order cash from the country they are travelling to and pick it up in 560 of the chain's stores.
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Over 50 currencies are available to choose from with some - such as euros and US dollars -available to order and collect on the same day.
However, you may have to wait a week to get more exotic cash such as the Japanese Yen.
Plus, the beloved British brand said Sparks loyalty customers can get better rates than those not signed up for the scheme.
At the time of reporting, a non Sparks customer who converts £100 into euro, will get €112.43. But a Sparks customer will get €112.66 back.
Meanwhile, if you convert £100 into dollars, you will get $132.07 back as a non loyalty member. But a Sparks customer will get $132.34.
Katherine Carlson, director of financial services at M&S, said: 'We want to be able to reward our Sparks customers for their loyalty and what better way to do so than helping their money go further on holiday.
"And with customers now able to pick up their travel money in more of our stores than ever before, it has never been easier to get ready for your holiday with M&S."
She added: "Offering our customers the very best products, services and rewards are a key part of the transformation of our financial services offering and this is just the latest step in that journey.'
If you are keen to exchange cash before your holiday, it is important to shop around at a few different places to ensure you are getting the best rate.
For example, you can also exchange cash your local Post Office and other supermarkets like Asda and Morrisons offer the service too.
M&S launches first-of-its-kind store
It is free to sign up for a Sparks card and it also unlocks lots of other offers including a free Birthday treat.
Last week, the home of the Percy Pig said the rewards scheme was fully back following its cruel cyber attack.
The chain said it would issue a host of "thank you" treats to those who missed out on the birthday freebie.
Eager customers will be able to choose between one of two of M&S' bestselling food products.
These could include Percy Pigs or a Swiss Truffle Assortment Box, a Bouquet of Flowers or bottle of Prosecco, a punnet of Grapes or a packet of Outrageously Chocolatey Round Biscuits.
Sparks birthday treats were among the casualties of the cyber attack for those who had a birthday over the spring and early summer.
M&S cyber attack
M&S is picking up the pieces from a vicious cyber attack which occurred in April and cost the firm £300million in lost profits.
For weeks the beloved retailer was unable to process online orders and store shelves were left bare.
Online shopping has since returned across England, Scotland and Wales.
Earlier this month, three teenagers and a woman were arrested in the UK as part of an investigation into attacks, which also targeted Co-op and Harrods.
They have since been released on bail.
More M&S news
This week, the chain opened its first ever air-side shop in London 's Heathrow airport.
It means jet setters can now stock up on iconic M&S food after going through security.
It is located at Gate A in Terminal 5 of the busy London airport.
A second store also opened at Gate B, selling gifts such as its popular biscuit tins as well as prepackaged food.
HISTORY OF M&S
M&S was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds.
The first official Marks and Spencer store opened in Manchester in 1901.
Throughout the 1920s, M&SA gre rapidly, opening more and more stores across the country.
The retailer made its reputation in the early 20th century by selling only British-made products.
It began textile sales in 1926 and started selling food from 1931.
The St Michael trademark was introduced in 1928 as a guarantee of quality and value.
This was initially used only for a small range of textiles but was extended over the years to cover all goods sold by M&S.
M&S introduced its first in-store cafe in 1935 in the Leeds store.
It provided cheap, hygienic, and nutritious mass catering.
By 1942, M&S opened 82 cafes across its estate.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, M&S had 234 stores.
By 1945, over 100 of these had been damaged by bombs, and 16 had been completely destroyed.
BY 1960, M&S pioneered in the sale of fresh poultry following the invention of the cold-chain process.
In the 1970s and 1980s, M&S pushed into international markets including the US, Canada and France.
In 1979, M&S introduced the Chicken Kiev to its food halls across the UK.
In 1992, Percy Pigs were launched.
The Autograph range of clothing was introduced in 2000, and the St Michael brand was slowly phased out.
In 2019, the group announced 110 store closures as part of its plans, affecting several longstanding high-street shops.
In September 2020, M&S partnered with Ocado to allow for home delivery of the chain's full food range.
M&S has recently announced new stores and is freshening up a swathe of others in a boost for shoppers.