Changing your credit limit
Find out more about your credit limit on your M&S Credit Card and how to change it
What is a credit limit?
A credit limit is the maximum amount you can spend on your credit card. Credit card providers set a limit based on what you would ideally like it to be, whilst taking into consideration credit and affordability checks.
A credit limit increase is where you can either request, or where we offer you, a higher credit limit on your credit card.
How can my credit limit be increased or decreased?
We may offer to increase your credit card limit automatically, based on how responsibly you use your card. If we feel like you would benefit from a credit limit increase, we will always notify you in advance of amending your credit limit.
Alternatively, if we don't offer an automatic increase, you can apply for an increase yourself. You'll need to fill in a short application and it will be credit assessed, like other lending applications. This will leave a hard search on your credit records and could affect your credit score. Find out more about how to check your credit score. You can also apply to decrease your credit limit.
You can manage your credit limit preferences and opt out of automatic credit limit increases anytime by using our 'Chat with us' service or call us and one of the team can help.
Credit limits explained
Find out more information about what a credit limit is.
Who can apply?
You can request to increase your credit limit with us if all of the following are true:
- You hold an M&S Credit Card
- You've had the card for more than 6 months
- Your limit hasn't been increased in the last 6 months
Requesting to increase or decrease your credit limit
How do I request a credit limit increase?
You can request changes to your current credit limit in Internet Banking by following the steps below:
- Sign in to Internet Banking
- From the 'Account services' menu at the top of the screen select 'Credit limit increase'
- Follow the instructions on the screen
Tell us the new limit that you want, along with a few other details. Please be aware that requests for large increases may take us longer to assess.
Once your request for a credit limit change is approved, the new amount is active immediately. If you have increased your limit, you can spend up to your new limit straight away.
How to decrease your current credit limit?
You can request changes to your current credit limit in Internet Banking
- Sign in to Internet Banking
- From the 'Account services' menu at the top of the screen select 'Credit limit decrease'
- Follow the instructions on the screen
Tell us the new limit that you want, along with a few other details and, in most cases, we should be able to give you an immediate decision. Please note the limit you request must not be lower than your outstanding balance.
You can also do this within our 'Chat with us' feature.
Not yet registered for digital banking?
Find out how you can register for Internet Banking and download the M&S Banking App.
Received a text to say you've nearly reached your credit limit?
If you've received a text message from us regarding how much of your credit limit you've used, you can follow the below steps:
- Check your available balance in the M&S Banking App or Internet Banking.
- If you need to make a payment to your credit card you can view the various ways to pay. Please note, if you've made a payment in the last 48 hours, it may not have credited your account yet.
- You may want to consider turning on spend notifications in the M&S Banking App so you can keep track of your spending.
- If you think you need a higher credit limit, you can follow the steps to request a credit limit increase.
You can change your credit limit notification preferences anytime by using our 'Chat with us' service or by calling us.
If you go over your credit limit you will incur a fee. To understand more about this, you can view our fees and charges page.
Financial support
If you're worried about keeping up to date with your monthly payments, or have already fallen behind, we're here to help.