why does everyone want an AMEX?

[beautybrainsbooty]

hey ya'll im curius as I build my lineup of CCs...why does everyone seem to want some sort of AMEX card? is it the rewards or more of a status thing? Or does it look good on your CR? 

[LS2982]

Both. AMEX has some really good rewards cards mostly their revolvers. Their charge cards gain points for redemption. Most creditors see AMEX on your CR's and are more willing to lend to you. YMMV of course.

[xiownthisplacex]

And for backdating purposes as well

[Razeus]

Status symbol 90% of the time.  I know that was the case for me.  But that's never enough, because now there's a heirarchy within AMEX itself.  Plus the accomplishement of one of the toughests cards to get.

[LS2982]

Forgot about the backdating, but that wouldn't be a perk for a new cardmember never having an AMEX.

[beautybrainsbooty]

backdating?? explain please...

[Razeus]

---

@beautybrainsbooty wrote:

backdating?? explain please...

---

Apparently it let's you have the date of your very first AMEX card when you sign up for new cards from them.  That way it looks like an "old" account on your credit report and helps out your credit score in the area of "average age of account (AAoA).  So if you have a card from 1990, and you get a Blue card in 2012, AMEX will back date that Blue card to 1990, giving you an instant 20 year history...I'm surprised CRA's haven't caught on to this.

[EmpressLuv]

I think it was status-quo for me, lol....AMEX is one of the hardest cards to get and when I applied last month online, I had my fingers crossed...and it was just thinking and thinking.  I ended up closing the window cause it never gave me a response and said oh well, then i got an email a few seconds later saying that my card application has been approved....i was in heaven..

[Razeus]

---

@EmpressLuv wrote:

I think it was status-quo for me, lol....AMEX is one of the hardest cards to get and when I applied last month online, I had my fingers crossed...and it was just thinking and thinking.  I ended up closing the window cause it never gave me a response and said oh well, then i got an email a few seconds later saying that my card application has been approved....i was in heaven..

---

Did you damn near fall out of your chair like I did?

[DaveSignal]

I don't want an AMEX.  They are not for everyone.  I travel throughout the world and am outside of the USA for long periods of time.  For me, the best cards are Visa and Mastercard, specifically the ones that charge 0% for foreign purchases.