M&S Travellers Cheques

YorkshireBoy

credit_jake wrote: »

but not m&s cards?

Please note that by paying by m&s credit card the transaction will be treated as a purchase and not a cash advance.

http://money.marksandspencer.com/pdf/tmtc.pdf

..........

dzug1

Credit_Jake wrote: »

But not M&S cards?

Correct - that's why I said 'virtually' all

Elljay_2

Credit_Jake wrote: »

Says maximum order £2500, can you order twice straight away or should I wait a few days?

You can buy more than that in store at a time as long as they have them in stock. Ring the shop beforehand and ask them to put them by for you. Don't forget to take along a passport or driving licence.

Credit_Jake

dzug1 wrote: »

Correct - that's why I said 'virtually' all

I wasn't questioning what you said I just wanted confirmation, I am new to this.

Elljay_2

Credit_Jake wrote: »

You can buy them instore so surely you could use any CC as long as it's 0% purchase interest? But thanks for the help will ring Santander tomorrow!

When you use a credit card in an M&s bureau, if it is a visa card you will get charged the cash advance by the issuer.
If you use an M&S mastercard it goes through a separate machine and the cash advance is waived. Therefore you will not accrue interest like on the VISA one.(cash advance and no interest free period, interest charged until whole balance is paid off etc)
If you use a mastercard they also put it through the same pinpad as the M&S one but cannot guarantee the card issuer will not make a cash advance charge but in theory it should act the same as the M&S mastercard.

Credit_Jake

Is there any way of requesting a certain credit limit when applying for credit cards?

Dominic9

Checking my credit record, I have just discovered that Marks and Spencer create a financial association between yourself and a partner you live with when you open the account (the registration asks for partner details), even if you choose not to have a joint account or the partner as a second card holder.

Speaking to their customer service they confirmed they should not have set up the association (which is only created by joint accounts) but they cannot end it, so I have to write to the Credit Reference agencies myself with notices of disassociation to end it.

Just a caution for those that might not want financial associations established.

YorkshireBoy

Dominic9 wrote: »

(the registration asks for partner details)

Even if you tick the 'married/civil partner' box, leaving the details blank makes no difference to the processing of the online application form (just done a dummy application )

That said, and because it's been mentioned before on here, I'm still amazed the authorities (FOS/ICO) haven't come down hard on M&S regarding this, especially since their T&Cs/Privacy Statement clearly state the association is only made for joint borrowing applications. Maybe not enough people are making formal complaints?

johnw2738

Thanks a lot you guys are really expert my problem is solved too.

Dominic9

That said, and because it's been mentioned before on here, I'm still amazed the authorities (FOS/ICO) haven't come down hard on M&S regarding this, especially since their T&Cs/Privacy Statement clearly state the association is only made for joint borrowing applications. Maybe not enough people are making formal complaints?

I complained. M+S' response was that:

"We are currently compliant by making customers aware that we will establish links with associated individuals...As we haven't made an error I'm unable to uphold your complaint."

I disagree with this, as the text in their application to which they refer is:

As part of our checks, we link your name with individuals associated with you financially.

Given that myself and my partner are not linked financially, this text is not relevant. They could alternatively be relying on their T+Cs which state:

If your application is for a joint account or borrowing, an “association” linking your financial records with those of your fellow applicant(s) will be created by the CRAs.

As my partner was not a fellow applicant this text is not relevant.

Still, I can't be bothered to argue with them