Best Credit Card for Equinox in 2026
Equinox is classified under MCC 7997 (Membership Clubs (Sports, Recreation, Athletic), Country Clubs, and Private Golf Courses). The best card for Equinox purchases is the Custom Cash (no annual fee), earning 5x on membership clubs (sports, recreation, athletic), country clubs, and private golf courses — an effective return of 5.00%.
Equinox, with its focus on fitness and wellness, falls under the Membership Clubs (Sports, Recreation, Athletic) category. If you're a regular at these clubs, using a rewards card that covers this MCC can really boost your earnings.
Consider using your rewards card exclusively for Equinox memberships to maximize those Custom Cash earnings.
Equinox purchases are classified under MCC 7997 (Membership Clubs (Sports, Recreation, Athletic), Country Clubs, and Private Golf Courses). If you spend frequently here, see our best cards for entertainment.
MCC Details for Equinox
Best Credit Cards for Equinox (2026)
How Equinox Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Equinox at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 7997 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a membership clubs (sports, recreation, athletic), country clubs, and private golf courses merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "membership clubs (sports, recreation, athletic), country clubs, and private golf courses" purchases, Equinox transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Equinox specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Equinox transaction by checking your card's mobile app or statement. Some issuers display the merchant category alongside the transaction details. For the most accurate information, contact your card issuer's customer service and ask whether MCC 7997 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — Equinox
About MCC 7997: Membership Clubs (Sports, Recreation, Athletic), Country Clubs, and Private Golf Courses
Merchant Category Code 7997 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Membership Clubs (Sports, Recreation, Athletic), Country Clubs, and Private Golf Courses industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 7997, all qualifying card programs that include membership clubs (sports, recreation, athletic), country clubs, and private golf courses as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Entertainment industry group encompasses several related MCCs. Not all merchants in a similar business will share the same MCC — for example, a grocery store inside a warehouse club may code as wholesale ({"5300"}) rather than grocery ({"5411"}). Always verify with your issuer if you're unsure whether a specific merchant qualifies for bonus rewards on your card.
Other Membership Clubs (Sports, Recreation, Athletic), Country Clubs, and Private Golf Courses merchants: 24 Hour Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Athletic Club of the Rockies.
What You Could Earn at Equinox
Spending $200/month at Equinox with the Custom Cash (5x on membership clubs (sports, recreation, athletic), country clubs, and private golf courses) earns approximately $120/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. That is $96 more per year with no annual fee.