Not a good idea. Think about how you might feel if you two were “friends with benefits” and then he asked out another girl for Saturday night? Bad, probably. So why settle? If you two want to go out, make an effort to blast through the awkwardness. If you really aren’t compatible as a couple, then be friends. But don’t complicate matters by adding making-out to the mix. The “benefits” you refer to will feel better with someone you are comfortable enough sharing your emotions with, not just your kisses.