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One of these credits is the up to $300 in annual credits (divided into monthly increments of $25) to Equinox** — a network of luxury gyms you'll only find in big cities. Affluent gym rats living in New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles may get some value from this — but for the rest of us, it's best used toward a subscription to Equinox+ (Equinox's fitness app, costing $39.99 per month).
Amex has tweaked this benefit to become slightly more useful to its cardholders in two ways:
Here's why that's good news for Amex Platinum cardholders.
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Membership prices to Equinox gyms vary by location. You can find single-club gym access for around $160 per month (still eye-watering) — and some premium memberships can cost $500 per month. To anyone but a celebrity who doesn't want to be accosted by the unwashed masses at Planet Fitness, that's an unreasonable monthly fee.
However, you can soon use your
Beginning November 3, 2022, the card's Equinox credit will be triggered when you use your card for the fees of any Equinox membership, including single club membership. That makes this credit a bit more flexible for those who already pay for an Equinox membership.
Even better, starting in 2023, you won't be hamstrung by a $25-per-month reimbursement limit. In other words, you should be able to get a free month at many Equinox locations. This change also means that you can subscribe to Equinox+ and receive seven months absolutely free. Previously, to cover the $39.99 monthly fee, you'd have to copay $15 per month after the monthly $25 discount.
We have confirmed that this credit will not reimburse you for in-gym purchases, as well as its online store, The Shop at Equinox. Equinox sells things like body care, clothing, and accessories.
This tweak to the card's Equinox credit does make it slightly more convenient for those interested in paying top dollar for their workout experience.