Credit Cards

[atarvuzdar]

Two questions regarding Amex additional cardholders that I hope someone has the answers to:

1. If I add my SO who used to have Amex cards with a member since date of 1999 as an additional cardholder to my new Zync would their member since date be backdated to 1999? Long story short, my SO was forced to close the Amex cards when buying a house 6 years ago since the loan officer or underwriter was concerned about how much available credit there was.

2. If I add my SO would MY member since date backdate to 1999??

An affirmative answer to either one of these would be fantastic.

[Koop10010]

The answer to #2 is definitely no and I would think the answer to #1 is a no too.  Amex has curbed backdating with additional cardmembers recently.  I'm not sure exactly to what extent though and it might depend no which rep answers the phone when you call to ask.

[jsucool76]

#1 - I don't think so. As an additional cardholder you just inherit the primary's account history. On the other hand, if they were to open an account today, they're amex would be backdated to 1999 (provided they were either a) in the system still, or b) (if not still in system) could supply proof of their membership from 1999. 

#2 - I would say definitely not to this. 

[scientifics]

I agree with the two responses above. From what I've read, they don't backdate additional cardholders to closed accounts they used to hold. Any additional cardholders get backdated to whatever your account open date is.

[LionLaw]

Your SO will be backdated to her original member since date.  I just made my sister an additional cardmember on my Zync; she had an amex of her own for a few years, and her new AU account was backdated to her original member since date.

[CruzImperial]

Lion, did you get back dated to her member since date?

[LionLaw]

Well, my member since date is actually older than hers, so no. But I can tell you pretty confidently that you won't get backdated to your SO's member since date. That's the thing about your member since date: once it's established, it doesn't change.

[atarvuzdar]

Thank you for all of the responses. I'll just remain content to be in with Amex now. In ten years a member since date in 2012 will look sweet!