American Express...anyone?

I just reedeemed points two weeks ago and they definitly DID NOT send a regular Saks gift card. They sent a booklet printed with certificates that were clearly marked as AMEX rewards points. This has been my experience for the past several years when redeeming AMEX points for Saks gift cards. When I redeemed for Bloomies thay actually sent a real gift card. I am wondering if AMEX has different procedures in different areas of the country - although that seems weird that they would. The only way I could do this would be to buy something with the certificates they send - and then return it - they then issue a regular gift card and the LV counter would not know that it was any different from an in-store purchased card.
I fould this policy annoying - plus the no points issued for LV purchases on my saks cc. I figure with what I have bought at Saks alone I would probably have almost earned a free bag - plus Saks still gets their profit.