topic Re: Amex member since question in Credit Cards

Amex member since question

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 16:42:05 GMT

In 2009 I defaulted on 2 Amex cards. I paid them in full since then. Recently I was Approved for the Delta Amex. I noticed after having set my account up online that it has me listed as a "Member Since '04". Did they back date my account? If this is true will this positively impact my AAoA.

Re: Amex member since question

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 16:58:57 GMT

AMEX stopped back dating sometime last year I think. I wish they still do. My first AMEX was in 1996. No credit cards from AMEX till 2016. My account says Member Since 1996. No value to my credit. Only 8 months of average age for me. Oh well. Sorry to bust your bubble.

Re: Amex member since question

UncleB — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:28:19 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
AMEX stopped back dating sometime last year I think. I wish they still do. My first AMEX was in 1996. No credit cards from AMEX till 2016. My account says Member Since 1996. No value to my credit. Only 8 months of average age for me. Oh well. Sorry to bust your bubble.

They actually stopped backdating in late March 2015. I know this since I got my BCP and a now-closed Green card three weeks after the change.

If I had only been three weeks earlier I would have had each backdated to 1995.

Re: Amex member since question

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:47:12 GMT

Can we clear some information please.. when y'all are referring to backdating, there are 3 places I think of:

1. Date shown on their website when you log in to your account.

2. Date shown on your credit report.

3. Date shown on your actual credit card.

Are all three the same or will there be different dates?

Re: Amex member since question

SouthJamaica — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:48:22 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
In 2009 I defaulted on 2 Amex cards. I paid them in full since then. Recently I was Approved for the Delta Amex. I noticed after having set my account up online that it has me listed as a "Member Since '04". Did they back date my account? If this is true will this positively impact my AAoA.

No they didn't, but it feels good doesn't it?

Re: Amex member since question

kdm31091 — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:50:15 GMT

They still "backdate" the year on the actual card but it's purely cosmetic. The credit bureau is now given the actual opening date for the account.

Re: Amex member since question

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:55:31 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
They still "backdate" the year on the actual card but it's purely cosmetic. The credit bureau is now given the actual opening date for the account.

Thanks for that

My BCE was opened in 2011 (first Amex account). I plan on getting the PRG. Does that mean my PRG will display 2011 on the physical card? If so, that's pretty cool!

Re: Amex member since question

UncleB — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:57:41 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Can we clear some information please.. when y'all are referring to backdating, there are 3 places I think of:

1. Date shown on their website when you log in to your account.

2. Date shown on your credit report.

3. Date shown on your actual credit card.

Are all three the same or will there be different dates?

When folks on here speak of Amex backdating, they are referring to the date on the credit report.

Prior to late March 2015, all new Amex accounts would report to the bureaus with the month they were actually opened but the year of the member's very first Amex account. That stopped, though... any accounts opened after the cutoff - such as my own - will report the actual (i.e. correct) opening date to the credit bureaus. Those lucky enough to be opened before the cutoff are grandfathered into continued 'backdating'.

The 'member since' date on the card and the date you see on the website is basically meaningless (to most people, anyway). If you're really OCD you can call and they will have cards sent out with your 'correct' member since date if it's wrong (for example, you used an incognito browser to get a better bonus offer), but it's only good for your own ego... otherwise it's meaningless.

Side note: my own Amex cards each have a different "member since" date: my BCP shows 2015, my PRG shows 2016 and my Delta Gold shows 1995 (I was logged into the Amex website when I apped for the Delta, which is why it has the 'correct' date.) For the folks who care, it's been reported that when new cards are sent out (for any reason) this date is usually updated to match the website date; I'll get to see in a few years when my own cards expire.

Re: Amex member since question

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 20:52:34 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@kdm31091 wrote:
They still "backdate" the year on the actual card but it's purely cosmetic. The credit bureau is now given the actual opening date for the account.
Thanks for that

My BCE was opened in 2011 (first Amex account). I plan on getting the PRG. Does that mean my PRG will display 2011 on the physical card? If so, that's pretty cool!

Each to their own (unfortunately) but I can't really think of a situation where having 2011 on a card could justify the phrase "cool"! Or even a much earlier date, unless you a) point it out, and b) to someone who is impressed by such things. Miine say 1987 and AFAIK, no-one has ever noticed (or at least commented)

Re: Amex member since question

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 20:56:34 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@kdm31091 wrote:
They still "backdate" the year on the actual card but it's purely cosmetic. The credit bureau is now given the actual opening date for the account.
Thanks for that

My BCE was opened in 2011 (first Amex account). I plan on getting the PRG. Does that mean my PRG will display 2011 on the physical card? If so, that's pretty cool!
Each to their own (unfortunately) but I can't really think of a situation where having 2011 on a card could justify the phrase "cool"! Or even a much earlier date, unless you a) point it out, and b) to someone who is impressed by such things. Miine say 1987 and AFAIK, no-one has ever noticed (or at least commented)

Come on now. Isnt the reason your wife married you was because she was overwhelmed seeing 1987 on your Gold card?

Re: Amex member since question

driftless — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 21:23:50 GMT

Mine as '16 on my card and '87 on the website. Hmmm.

Re: Amex member since question

fedxboy — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 21:40:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
In 2009 I defaulted on 2 Amex cards. I paid them in full since then. Recently I was Approved for the Delta Amex. I noticed after having set my account up online that it has me listed as a "Member Since '04". Did they back date my account? If this is true will this positively impact my AAoA.

Too bad you defaulted on those 2 Amex cards, since they both could have helped you out significantly.

Re: Amex member since question

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 22:21:46 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@kdm31091 wrote:
They still "backdate" the year on the actual card but it's purely cosmetic. The credit bureau is now given the actual opening date for the account.
Thanks for that

My BCE was opened in 2011 (first Amex account). I plan on getting the PRG. Does that mean my PRG will display 2011 on the physical card? If so, that's pretty cool!
Each to their own (unfortunately) but I can't really think of a situation where having 2011 on a card could justify the phrase "cool"! Or even a much earlier date, unless you a) point it out, and b) to someone who is impressed by such things. Miine say 1987 and AFAIK, no-one has ever noticed (or at least commented)
Come on now. Isnt the reason your wife married you was because she was overwhelmed seeing 1987 on your Gold card?

Well, she has 1984 on hers, so maybe she was amused that it mine was so new!

Re: Amex member since question

nyancat — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 00:50:46 GMT

@UncleB wrote:

Side note: my own Amex cards each have a different "member since" date: my BCP shows 2015, my PRG shows 2016 and my Delta Gold shows 1995 (I was logged into the Amex website when I apped for the Delta, which is why it has the 'correct' date.) For the folks who care, it's been reported that when new cards are sent out (for any reason) this date is usually updated to match the website date; I'll get to see in a few years when my own cards expire.

All US consumer Amex cards are now available with contactless, so that would be a good reason to call now, and ask them to send you contactless cards if you don't already have them (some people get them by default but you usually have to ask).

Re: Amex member since question

UncleB — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 01:51:54 GMT

@nyancat wrote:

@UncleB wrote:

Side note: my own Amex cards each have a different "member since" date: my BCP shows 2015, my PRG shows 2016 and my Delta Gold shows 1995 (I was logged into the Amex website when I apped for the Delta, which is why it has the 'correct' date.) For the folks who care, it's been reported that when new cards are sent out (for any reason) this date is usually updated to match the website date; I'll get to see in a few years when my own cards expire.
All US consumer Amex cards are now available with contactless, so that would be a good reason to call now, and ask them to send you contactless cards if you don't already have them (some people get them by default but you usually have to ask).

Yeah, Pooka mentioned that a while back (that contactless is now available) but honestly it's just not that important to me.

The only people that see my cards (other than myself) are the cashiers working the drive-thru at fast food places and no offense to them but I'm just not that concerned with my first impression... LOL. Further, from what I've heard contactless can still be hit-and-miss, and that's for the places where it's accepted to begin with (which are not many of the places I frequent anyway).

Thanks for the suggestion, though. For somebody who really cares about that stuff (or will be traveling overseas, where I've read it can be helpful) it's a great excuse to call them up and have the cards resent.

Re: Amex member since question

Anonymous — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 11:05:07 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Can we clear some information please.. when y'all are referring to backdating, there are 3 places I think of:

1. Date shown on their website when you log in to your account.

2. Date shown on your credit report.

3. Date shown on your actual credit card.

Are all three the same or will there be different dates?

Two of the three should be the same. (All three, when you get your first AMEX)

I also had an old AMEX back in the day (87). When I got my BCE card (I also wish I knew about the backdating when it was happening), the card had the year issued (as they were still processing my account), but when I got my Hhonours card, it came with '87 (same as the website)

As has been said before, when I get a new BCE card (or if I took the offer to upgrade to BCP), it will have the correct member since date. However, as much as it might stroke my ego, I suspect (no, I KNOW) that no one else really cares. (And I can get the same ego stroke by going to the website and looking at the member since date there).

Re: Amex member since question

nyancat — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 12:19:37 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@nyancat wrote:

@UncleB wrote:

Side note: my own Amex cards each have a different "member since" date: my BCP shows 2015, my PRG shows 2016 and my Delta Gold shows 1995 (I was logged into the Amex website when I apped for the Delta, which is why it has the 'correct' date.) For the folks who care, it's been reported that when new cards are sent out (for any reason) this date is usually updated to match the website date; I'll get to see in a few years when my own cards expire.
All US consumer Amex cards are now available with contactless, so that would be a good reason to call now, and ask them to send you contactless cards if you don't already have them (some people get them by default but you usually have to ask).
Yeah, Pooka mentioned that a while back (that contactless is now available) but honestly it's just not that important to me.

The only people that see my cards (other than myself) are the cashiers working the drive-thru at fast food places and no offense to them but I'm just not that concerned with my first impression... LOL. Further, from what I've heard contactless can still be hit-and-miss, and that's for the places where it's accepted to begin with (which are not many of the places I frequent anyway).

Thanks for the suggestion, though. For somebody who really cares about that stuff (or will be traveling overseas, where I've read it can be helpful) it's a great excuse to call them up and have the cards resent.

Contactless is freaking brilliant, but yes, acceptance in the US is poor (here in the UK, a place that doesn't accept it is rare), and everywhere, US and UK, Amex isn't as good as Visa/MC. There are shops that take contactless, and take Amex, but don't take Amex contactless.

It's still great, and you'll learn where it works and where it doesn't quickly. It isn't a huge issue if it doesn't, the terminal beeps and tells you to insert the card.

Re: Amex member since question

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 11:26:36 GMT

Regarding what you wrote "Those lucky enough to be opened before the cutoff are grandfathered into continued 'backdating'."

I was backdated once before in 1998, from a card I had gotten in 1988. Now I was approved for, and am waiting for a new Amex BCP to arrive, but my log-in screen reads Member Since 1988. For real

Are you saying that if someone was backdated at an earlier time, they will continue to be backdated - even if said person has just come back to Amex?

If I wasn't clear, I had an Amex back in 1988 - I closed the acct. Then got another in 1998 (they backdated that card) and I defaulted on that Amex, and now I am coming around for a third time having just been approved for a new BCP. And I won't mess it up this time....

Re: Amex member since question

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 12:33:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Regarding what you wrote "Those lucky enough to be opened before the cutoff are grandfathered into continued 'backdating'."

I was backdated once before in 1998, from a card I had gotten in 1988. Now I was approved for, and am waiting for a new Amex BCP to arrive, but my log-in screen reads Member Since 1988. For real

Are you saying that if someone was backdated at an earlier time, they will continue to be backdated - even if said person has just come back to Amex?

If I wasn't clear, I had an Amex back in 1988 - I closed the acct. Then got another in 1998 (they backdated that card) and I defaulted on that Amex, and now I am coming around for a third time having just been approved for a new BCP. And I won't mess it up this time....

No, that isn't what he means. He just means that those that opened the cards prior to March, 2015 had them backdated and those cards still report that way. Your new card will report as opened in 2016

Re: Amex member since question

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 12:57:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Regarding what you wrote "Those lucky enough to be opened before the cutoff are grandfathered into continued 'backdating'."

I was backdated once before in 1998, from a card I had gotten in 1988. Now I was approved for, and am waiting for a new Amex BCP to arrive, but my log-in screen reads Member Since 1988. For real

Are you saying that if someone was backdated at an earlier time, they will continue to be backdated - even if said person has just come back to Amex?

If I wasn't clear, I had an Amex back in 1988 - I closed the acct. Then got another in 1998 (they backdated that card) and I defaulted on that Amex, and now I am coming around for a third time having just been approved for a new BCP. And I won't mess it up this time....
No, that isn't what he means. He just means that those that opened the cards prior to March, 2015 had them backdated and those cards still report that way. Your new card will report as opened in 2016

Right. Simply put, there is just one "rule"" Just like any other issuer, ALL newly opened Amex cards that report will report to the credit bureaus with the actual open date.

(Website and card may show earlier dates, but that has no FICO impact, and vanishingly small other impact!)