Adding more credit cards to the mix vs Gardening

[Anonymous]

Hi, everyone! I recently joined the forums and I am still relatively new to all the credit card concepts and the credit card "game". My main question is inquiring about whether I should start gardening or whether I should apply for AMEX to get my foot in the door after 6 months due to my recent approval of CSP (I don't have AMEX yet). I've read that AMEX has a backdating process, which will help in the long run. My AAoA is only 1 year and 9 months or so. What would be the best move from here? Thanks for all the help!

[tcbofade]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hi, everyone! I recently joined the forums and I am still relatively new to all the credit card concepts and the credit card "game". My main question is inquiring about whether I should start gardening or whether I should apply for AMEX to get my foot in the door after 6 months due to my recent approval of CSP (I don't have AMEX yet). I've read that AMEX has a backdating process, which will help in the long run. My AAoA is only 1 year and 9 months or so. What would be the best move from here? Thanks for all the help!

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How many credit cards do you have?

How long have you had them?

Do you have a use for an Amex, or do you just want another card?

[heyarrnold]

Pre qual!!!! Have you checked if you're pre qualified with Amex yet? 

[Anonymous]

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@tcbofade wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hi, everyone! I recently joined the forums and I am still relatively new to all the credit card concepts and the credit card "game". My main question is inquiring about whether I should start gardening or whether I should apply for AMEX to get my foot in the door after 6 months due to my recent approval of CSP (I don't have AMEX yet). I've read that AMEX has a backdating process, which will help in the long run. My AAoA is only 1 year and 9 months or so. What would be the best move from here? Thanks for all the help!

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How many credit cards do you have?

How long have you had them?

Do you have a use for an Amex, or do you just want another card?

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Hi and thanks for replying!

1) I currently have 4 credit cards. BOA cash rewards, BOA better balances rewards, CSP, and a credit union cc. 

2) I just recently received the CSP. I've had the others for about 2-3 years. I've gotten all of these with a 6 month gap between each application.

3) I don't really have a use for the AMEX. I just wanted to get my foot in the door for AMEX to start this backdating process asap, but I don't know if that's a good enough reason for it.

[Anonymous]

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@heyarrnold wrote:

Pre qual!!!! Have you checked if you're pre qualified with Amex yet? 

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I have checked! I currently pre-qualify with the blue cash everyday, gold card, and one other one!

[tcbofade]

Good answers, thanks.  That helps us help you.

I believe that you qualify and would be approved, but it seems kind of frivolous to me.  If you just want to have an Amex, go ahead...

[kdm31091]

Just apping because of backdating with no real use for the card isn't a good idea. I don't think backdating is much of an issue as some of your cards aren't that new anyway. It's not like you'll be backdated to 1995. It may not be that beneficial. Focus on whether you have an actual use for the card, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Apping solely for the backdating isn't a great reason, but you do get use out of the AMEX card. BCE gives you 3% back at supermarkets, which is more than the 2% that you already get. If you app today or tomorrow, you can lock in 2014 as your member start date, in case you want a different AMEX card in the future and want to use the backdating feature. 

[TRC_WA]

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@Anonymous wrote:

If you app today or tomorrow, you can lock in 2014 as your member start date, in case you want a different AMEX card in the future and want to use the backdating feature. 

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Not sure about that...

Myself and a few other forum members were just approved for AmEx in the last 2-3 days and per the CSR chat the MSD is pushed to 2015 if you open an account the last 7 calendar days of the year.

My online account also says 2015.

[Anonymous]

You guys have been very helpful! Thank you! I'll just starting gardening my little seedlings till I find a juicy reward that I can take advantage or need to increase my UTL.