Using Marks & Spencer (M&S) credit card abroad

Planning an overseas trip? One of the most important things to sort out is spending money. If you prefer the convenience of card payments, you might want to know whether you can use your UK credit card in foreign countries.

In this guide, we’ll be looking at using the Marks & Spencer credit card abroad. We’ll run through everything from fees and exchange rates to security and limits. It’s all so you can work out if it’s the best choice for your holiday spending.

Also, consider checking out the Wise card from the money services provider Wise. While it’s not a credit card, it’s a convenient international debit card designed for travellers looking to save money while spending abroad.

Learn more about the Wise card 💳

Can you use your M&S credit card abroad?

Yes, you can use your M&S credit card overseas. It should be accepted anywhere you see the Visa or Mastercard logo, in shops, restaurants, bars and transport hubs too.

You can also use it to withdraw cash from foreign ATMs.

However, there are charges related to both spending and withdrawing cash abroad - we’ll look at these in more detail in just a moment.

Do you need to let M&S know you’re going abroad?

You don’t need to tell M&S Bank that you’ll be travelling outside the UK.¹ You can simply start using your credit card when you land at your destination.

However, it’s important to make sure that M&S has your correct mobile phone number linked to your account. This is just in case they need to contact you about any transactions. You can update this in your mobile banking app or in online banking if you need to.

M&S credit card security features abroad

It’s always wise to check out the security features when using a UK credit card abroad. After all, the last thing you want is to be worried about fraud while you’re trying to enjoy your holiday.

So for your peace of mind, here are the security features which come as standard with M&S Bank credit cards:

• Section 75 protection on purchases between £100 and £30,000. If something goes wrong with a purchase (i.e. it’s faulty or you don’t receive the goods or service), this protection allows you to make a claim for reimbursement.
• Spending notifications in the app - as well as helping you stay within your credit limit, these can help you watch out for potentially fraudulent transactions.
• Spend Safe - this is the bank’s fraud detection system, which monitors your spending patterns and identifies suspicious or unusual activity on your account.²

Travel perks

The M&S Credit Card already gives you Rewards points whenever you spend, in M&S and elsewhere. But if you join the M&S Club Rewards scheme, there’s an extra perk which could be of interest to frequent travellers.

M&S Club Reward members will earn 3 Reward points for every £1 spent abroad in the local currency using an M&S credit card. This is on top of ordinary Rewards points offers. Once you’ve got enough points, you can convert them into shopping vouchers.³

Charges for using M&S credit cards abroad

Now for the important part - how much it’ll cost you to use your credit card outside the UK.

Unlike some other travel-friendly travel credit cards, M&S Bank does have fees for both spending and cash withdrawals when you use its cards overseas.

Here’s a quick rundown of the main M&S credit card charges abroad:⁴

It’s also useful to know that interest on cash transactions like ATM withdrawals starts accruing right away. So while you may have an interest-free period for spending, this doesn’t apply to anything M&S classes as a cash transaction.

Other types of cash transactions include gambling and foreign currency, although not if you buy currency from an M&S Bureau de Change.

Lastly, you’ll need to watch out for ATM operator fees. Some ATMs have a charge, which is separate from your credit card provider's own fees. So, try to find a machine offering free cash withdrawals if you can.

What’s the exchange rate for credit cards M&S uses to convert currency abroad?

Depending which card you have, M&S Bank uses either Visa or Mastercard’s exchange rate for converting currency when you spend abroad.

These rates are usually very competitive, and close to the mid-market exchange rate. You can check current Visa rates here, and Mastercard’s here.

An important thing to remember when spending abroad is to always pay in the local currency, rather than your home currency (GBP). This will mean that your card provider or bank does the currency conversion, so you’ll know what exchange rate will be used.

Are there any transaction limits?

You should be able to spend on your M&S credit card as much as you like, in line with your personal credit card limit. When it comes to contactless payments, the maximum limit per payment may depend on the local rules in your destination.

M&S credit cards also have a £300 daily cash withdrawal limit.¹

A great alternative for low-cost spending abroad - the Wise card

The Wise card is the ideal travel companion, as it lets you spend and withdraw in the local currency in 150+ countries.

This clever international debit card automatically converts your pounds into the local currency using the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a small, transparent currency conversion fee. Or it’s free if you already have the foreign currency in your Wise account.

Open a Wise account online and you can order your own Wise card for a one-time cost of just £7.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

After reading this, you should be all clued up on how the M&S credit card works abroad. You’ll know the fees and limits, how to check exchange rates and what security features are protecting you when you spend.

So, you’re all set to compare it against other travel-friendly credit cards and choose the right option for your holiday spending.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 13-May-2024