Best time to apply for a credit card?

[ladyvg270]

Can someone tell me what the best time of the year to apply for a credit card? or ask for an increase?

[kjm79]

Probably different for everyone, but I've always had the most success around the the holidays (of course) and then in the summer months right before back to school shopping starts. 

[Strepthroat]

Holidays, and I've also had success in the late afternoons, don't ask why but I never apply for a card over the weekend or first thing in the morning.

[LTomBerry]

If you're getting an AmEx that's going to be backdated do it in January for maximum AAoA. Otherwise, depends more on how the economy is doing, if banks are feeling generous.

[Anonymous]

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@Strepthroat wrote:

Holidays, and I've also had success in the late afternoons, don't ask why but I never apply for a card over the weekend or first thing in the morning.

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Late afternoons?  You'd think they would just decline everyone so they could run out of the office quicker!

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@LTomBerry wrote:

If you're getting an AmEx that's going to be backdated do it in January for maximum AAoA. Otherwise, depends more on how the economy is doing, if banks are feeling generous.

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 Why would it matter if you're going to have it backdated? 

[Wolf3]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@..LTomBerry wrote:

If you're getting an AmEx that's going to be backdated do it in January for maximum AAoA. Otherwise, depends more on how the economy is doing, if banks are feeling generous.

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 Why would it matter if you're going to have it backdated? 

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They backdate the year, but the month is the application month.

[doublespaces]

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@Wolf3 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@..LTomBerry wrote:

If you're getting an AmEx that's going to be backdated do it in January for maximum AAoA. Otherwise, depends more on how the economy is doing, if banks are feeling generous.

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 Why would it matter if you're going to have it backdated? 

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They backdate the year, but the month is the application month.

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You know, I kept seeing this over and over and until I read the post by LTomBerry I never understood why january. Now I do.

[Anonymous]

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@Wolf3 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@..LTomBerry wrote:

If you're getting an AmEx that's going to be backdated do it in January for maximum AAoA. Otherwise, depends more on how the economy is doing, if banks are feeling generous.

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 Why would it matter if you're going to have it backdated? 

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They backdate the year, but the month is the application month.

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So if you are backdating to, say, 1999, you'd be better off apping in Jan 2012 than Dec 2011.  Makes sense!

Thanks

[Anonymous]

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@Strepthroat wrote:

Holidays, and I've also had success in the late afternoons, don't ask why but I never apply for a card over the weekend or first thing in the morning.

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Wonder if a full moon helps/hinders?