I recently registered for the United Overseas Bank (UOB) credit cards weekly free buffet promotion.

It was to run for four weekly periods between Aug 15 and Sept 11. Cardholders who spent $800 would be eligible for one free buffet voucher at the Shangri-La Hotel, and those who spent $1,500 would be eligible for two buffet vouchers.

The fine print stated that only 850 vouchers would be awarded.

I spent more than $2,500 by Aug 19 and $900 in the second week, and thought I would be eligible for three buffet vouchers in all.

I did not receive anything from UOB after a few weeks, so I called the bank's card centre. I was told that all 850 vouchers had been given out within the first few days of the promotion, even though the promotion was to run for four weeks.

I question the transparency of this promotion as there was no winners' list published.

UOB had the responsibility to inform customers who registered for the promotion as soon as the vouchers were fully redeemed so that customers would not continue to spend.

Though the 850 voucher limit was stated in the terms and conditions, I feel misled by the bank's actions in this incident.

I hope legislation will be imposed to protect consumers in such promotions in future.

Simon Tam Wing Tsang