Marks and Spencer brings in trial £120 charge for some Sparks Card holders - with £200 promised in return

Marks and Spencer (M&S) has brought in an upfront £120 charge for some of its customers - for certain perks. Certain Sparks Card holders will be invited to pay the £120 charge.

M&S has added a new premium level to the Sparks scheme called "Sparks Plus". Because it is currently a trial, not everyone is able to sign up and you'll only be able to if you receive an invitation email to “become a Sparks Plus VIP!”.

To be a Sparks Plus member, you will need to pay £120 - paid upfront - each year. However, M&S says the rewards you'll be able to claim come to more than £200 a year.

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If you are a Sparks Plus member, you will get unlimited deliveries, a free hot drink each month, and a monthly £10 voucher - to name just a few. Sparks Plus members will also be offered invites to special store events, given gifts and doubled charity donations.

The Sparks scheme was first launched back in 2015, and initially rewarded shoppers with points when they spent in store or posted product reviews. However, since then, the upmarket retailer has simplified the scheme introducing instant rewards and more tailored offers - such as 30p off drinks when you go to a M&S café.

The supermarket uses your spending habits to create relevant offers based on what you normally buy. Alongside this, some Sparks members are also surprised with "little thank yous" or freebies from M&S each day - including free food.

These treats can range from packs of Percy Pigs, to baked croissants or avocados and even Apothecary candles. You will be awarded the freebie through the Sparks app and you claim it by adding the freebie to your Sparks card and scanning it at the checkout.

This freebie is random