Well stated, tangfish. I couldn't agree more. Neither Equinox nor Saks are of any interest or use to me. It actually surprises me that AmEx would select Equinox as one of the major benefits since locations are so limited. I'm about to purchase another $250 Saks gift card which will bring me up to $750 in gifts cards currently tucked in a drawer and you are spot on when you say they are a chore to use. I'll probably end up getting some expensive beef just to use them.

I've had the same wish as you, that AmEx would offer a suite of benefits from which to choose, from elite level airline and hotel levels to travel credits to lifestyle options. Those that want Equinox can choose it, but for those of us who don't have any chance or desire to use it, there should be something else available. I would be happier with the $2,000 travel credit each year and give up Equinox. I don't know what AmEx actually pays to Equinox per member, but I recall that the annual membership was somewhere around $3,600.