topic Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain in Credit Cards

American Express Backdating - Please explain

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:04:27 GMT

I know that this issue has been addressed numerous times before on this message board, and I apologize now for asking, so........

Can someone explain the American Express backdating that is always discussed on the message boards? What is? How does it work? Why do it? How to request it? Any anything else that you think I should know.

Thanks so much!!!

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Ron1 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:10:37 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I know that this issue has been addressed numerous times before on this message board, and I apologize now for asking, so........

Can someone explain the American Express backdating that is always discussed on the message boards? What is? How does it work? Why do it? How to request it? Any anything else that you think I should know.

Thanks so much!!!

Backdating only works if you previously had any Amex charge card(s) and credit cards(s). It helps your AAOA and it will raise your FICO scores. You have to call Amex to backdate by telling them your first Amex charge/credit account.

Ron.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

haulingthescoreup — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:26:32 GMT

@Ron1 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I know that this issue has been addressed numerous times before on this message board, and I apologize now for asking, so........

Can someone explain the American Express backdating that is always discussed on the message boards? What is? How does it work? Why do it? How to request it? Any anything else that you think I should know.

Thanks so much!!!
Backdating only works if you previously had any Amex charge card(s) and credit cards(s). It helps your AAOA and it will raise your FICO scores. You have to call Amex to backdate by telling them your first Amex charge/credit account.

Ron.

Since they use their "member since" date, you've been a member since you first got an AmEx. Some people luck out and get backdated to an AU card, even though they weren't a "member" per se.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:04:18 GMT

@haulingthescoreup wrote:

Since they use their "member since" date, you've been a member since you first got an AmEx. Some people luck out and get backdated to an AU card, even though they weren't a "member" per se.

I've been wondering about this. My dad had me on as an AU on his Amex card ages ago - but back then, we were living overseas so I'm not sure if the card was issued by the US Amex, or a foreign branch of Amex. I guess I could call them up and ask, but it just feels like a really long shot.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:33:03 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I know that this issue has been addressed numerous times before on this message board, and I apologize now for asking, so........

Can someone explain the American Express backdating that is always discussed on the message boards? What is? How does it work? Why do it? How to request it? Any anything else that you think I should know.

Thanks so much!!!

If you got your first AMEX card in 2000, every subsequent AMEX you get will be backdated to the year 2000 and whatever month your new account was opened.

For example, your first AMEX was opened 12/2000. You got your second AMEX 4/2011, and your third amex 1/2012. You now have three AMEXs dating back to 2000. One dated 1/2000, one dated 4/2000, and one dated 12/2000.

Why do it? To increase your average age of accounts, which increases your credit score.

How? Ask any AMEX CSR.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:32:45 GMT

Ok, that helps. I had my first AmEx YEARS AGO when I was in college (early 1990s), but made mistakes like a lot of other college students and lost it. Had one with a previous job probably 10 yrs ago, but closed it out probably about 8 yrs ago. Fast forward to 2012, I have been an AU on my husband's Gold Rewards card since '08, and recently received a Green card on my own a few weeks ago. My online account has me listed as being a member since '08, based on hubby's account. I have no idea what my old AmEx account numbers used to be. So do I call customer service with my SS# and make the back dating request? Would they go back as far as the very first card I ever had?

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

seattletravels — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:34:34 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Ok, that helps. I had my first AmEx YEARS AGO when I was in college (early 1990s), but made mistakes like a lot of other college students and lost it. Had one with a previous job probably 10 yrs ago, but closed it out probably about 8 yrs ago. Fast forward to 2012, I have been an AU on my husband's Gold Rewards card since '08, and recently received a Green card on my own a few weeks ago. My online account has me listed as being a member since '08, based on hubby's account. I have no idea what my old AmEx account numbers used to be. So do I call customer service with my SS# and make the back dating request? Would they go back as far as the very first card I ever had?

Will they back date on a corporate card?

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:35:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I know that this issue has been addressed numerous times before on this message board, and I apologize now for asking, so........

Can someone explain the American Express backdating that is always discussed on the message boards? What is? How does it work? Why do it? How to request it? Any anything else that you think I should know.

Thanks so much!!!

If you got your first AMEX card in 2000, every subsequent AMEX you get will be backdated to the year 2000 and whatever month your new account was opened.

Why do it? To increase your average age of accounts, which increases your credit score.

How? Ask any AMEX CSR.

Thanks so much - I saw your response after I had already posted my last set of questions. I'll give it a try and update on the results!

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

CS800 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:40:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I know that this issue has been addressed numerous times before on this message board, and I apologize now for asking, so........

Can someone explain the American Express backdating that is always discussed on the message boards? What is? How does it work? Why do it? How to request it? Any anything else that you think I should know.

Thanks so much!!!

If you got your first AMEX card in 2000, every subsequent AMEX you get will be backdated to the year 2000 and whatever month your new account was opened.

For example, your first AMEX was opened 12/2000. You got your second AMEX 4/2011, and your third amex 1/2012. You now have three AMEXs dating back to 2000. One dated 1/2000, one dated 4/2000, and one dated 12/2000.

Why do it? To increase your average age of accounts, which increases your credit score.

How? Ask any AMEX CSR.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Odiseous — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:48:16 GMT

@seattletravels wrote:

Will they back date on a corporate card?

YMMV.

On that note: Mine got backdated to my corporate card year of opening.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

pizzadude — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:52:40 GMT

@seattletravels wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Ok, that helps. I had my first AmEx YEARS AGO when I was in college (early 1990s), but made mistakes like a lot of other college students and lost it. Had one with a previous job probably 10 yrs ago, but closed it out probably about 8 yrs ago. Fast forward to 2012, I have been an AU on my husband's Gold Rewards card since '08, and recently received a Green card on my own a few weeks ago. My online account has me listed as being a member since '08, based on hubby's account. I have no idea what my old AmEx account numbers used to be. So do I call customer service with my SS# and make the back dating request? Would they go back as far as the very first card I ever had?
Will they back date on a corporate card?

Yes, I also achieved backdating success to the opening year of a AMEX green corporate card.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

seattletravels — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:52:52 GMT

Interesting. I'm about a year out from applying but I'll definitely give it a shot when I get one. I had an Amex Corporate card from 03-05 when we changed from Amex to MC.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:02:50 GMT

@seattletravels wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Ok, that helps. I had my first AmEx YEARS AGO when I was in college (early 1990s), but made mistakes like a lot of other college students and lost it. Had one with a previous job probably 10 yrs ago, but closed it out probably about 8 yrs ago. Fast forward to 2012, I have been an AU on my husband's Gold Rewards card since '08, and recently received a Green card on my own a few weeks ago. My online account has me listed as being a member since '08, based on hubby's account. I have no idea what my old AmEx account numbers used to be. So do I call customer service with my SS# and make the back dating request? Would they go back as far as the very first card I ever had?
Will they back date on a corporate card?

Yes, I also achieved backdating success to the opening year of a AMEX green corporate card.

Ok, so I just got off of the phone with AmEx. The customer service rep put in the request. The only date she could definitively verify was the 2008 date that I mentioned in my original post. She asked the dates of the very first card I had in my own name, I told her it was somewhere around 1989-1991 because I was in college. She indicated that they would do a search based on the dates. Even if they can't verify the date of my very first account, I would get a new card with at least the '08 backdate. She said I should hear something within 7-9 business days, so I will keep my fingers crossed and update when I hear something! I am hoping for the college backdate years or at the very least, the corporate backdate of 2002.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:42:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Ok, so I just got off of the phone with AmEx. The customer service rep put in the request. The only date she could definitively verify was the 2008 date that I mentioned in my original post. She asked the dates of the very first card I had in my own name, I told her it was somewhere around 1989-1991 because I was in college. She indicated that they would do a search based on the dates. Even if they can't verify the date of my very first account, I would get a new card with at least the '08 backdate. She said I should hear something within 7-9 business days, so I will keep my fingers crossed and update when I hear something! I am hoping for the college backdate years or at the very least, the corporate backdate of 2002.

If there is any possibility of you finding any documentation regarding your Amex from college years. Amex can use that information to backdate aswell.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

afbar1114 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:48:38 GMT

my dad has an amex from like the 70's or 80's i wonder if i get to be an AU on his card and then back date?

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:53:40 GMT

@afbar1114 wrote:
my dad has an amex from like the 70's or 80's i wonder if i get to be an AU on his card and then back date?

Some people have been able to, others have not.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:16:41 GMT

Mine got backdated automatically. I had Amex green back in 2006 closed it in 2007 got Clear in 2011 and this shows on my CR backdated to 2006. This has helped my AAoA a lot.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

RyVision — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:53:20 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@afbar1114 wrote:
my dad has an amex from like the 70's or 80's i wonder if i get to be an AU on his card and then back date?

Some people have been able to, others have not.

So many people have tried the "carry over" from primary member cards that had no business doing so that AMEX is trying to limit the practice if not totally eliminate even sneaking in with granting a parents primary's date to a later additional card member, it has become nearly impossible from what I hear. In other words, if you have a child, and they're 5 or so years old ADD THEM NOW as an additional card member so they have a MS date with AMEX that is actually genuine. There are people out there as it is with MS dates that pre-date their birth year, not really possible. Things AMEX doesn't like about BDing for "AU" accounts, different last names, no actual connection to the person, no use on the "AU" card (you can hold onto your 5 year olds AU card and let them sign once in a while or sign for them), MS dates that pre-date the persons birth. All logical reasons for them to have reviewed the requests people had been making.

If afbar1114 were to be added to his fathers account as an additional card member (aka AU) his member year would be the year he was added to the account. However, the history of his fathers account would show under his own name on his CR for that account (any account his father added him to would work that way with AMEX), if he gets his own individual account the date he was added will show as his opening date for his own card. Hope that helped.

Before anyone needs to point it out. AMEX doesn't have AU's, they only have "Additional Card Members" we just tend to call it AU. Also, don't ever use the term "Back date or back dating" when speaking to AMEX, it's a red flag. You are asking about your original membership since date etc.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:24:51 GMT

After I received my PRG Amex, I called and had them reset my start date to when I was an AU on my sisters card. They happily obliged.

Re: American Express Backdating - Please explain

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:04:09 GMT

Is there a specific number you're supposed to call for the requests? Or just the regular customer service line? I figure I might as well see if they can find any record of me being an AU on my dad's account a decade ago.