@Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to chime in and figure something out. Other than vanity, are there any other benefits to your member since date for Amex?
It's probably one of the most valuable "tricks" of the trade and it's not for vanity 
The member date is not just on your card, it backdates for your credit report as well.
If the OP applies this month (2014), they can get a second card in January 2016 and it will automatically backdate to January 2014.
So basically, if they get a 2nd AMEX in January 2016, they will get 2 years of free credit "age"...really great bonus...it takes a long time to build 2 years history without this trick
Everybody whines about taking a hit to their "AAoA" when applying for a new credit card. Amex users who backdate do not have this problem, in fact it often gives them a nice credit score boost if their oriiginal AMEX is several years old.
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to chime in and figure something out. Other than vanity, are there any other benefits to your member since date for Amex?
It's probably one of the most valuable "tricks" of the trade and it's not for vanity
The member date is not just on your card, it backdates for your credit report as well.
If the OP applies this month (2014), they can get a second card in January 2016 and it will automatically backdate to January 2014.
So basically, if they get a 2nd AMEX in January 2016, they will get 2 years of free credit "age"...really great bonus...it takes a long time to build 2 years history without this trick
Everybody whines about taking a hit to their "AAoA" when applying for a new credit card. Amex users who backdate do not have this problem, in fact it often gives them a nice credit score boost if their oriiginal AMEX is several years old.
Thanks. That's great to know. Definitely makes me feel a lot better about getting my first AMEX card at age 21!