AMEX - Reporting of Date Opened

[Anonymous]

I recall someone posting about the fact that AMEX would consider backdating the Date Opened to an earlier date if you had another account with them with an older date.

For example, you opened a card in '98, closed it in '07.  Then opened a new one now and requested them to begin reporting the 1998 to the CRA's to reflect how long you have been a cardmember with them.

Is that still possible?   Does the old card still have to be open?  And is there a time period beyond which if you closed the old card this would no longer be possible?

Message Edited by Boscoe on 01-18-2009 10:11 AM

[KingAdrock]

Amex does backdate accounts. For example if you got a Green in back in '98, and this year signed up for a Gold, the opening date listed for the Gold would say "Opened 1/1998". 

For old closed accounts it's a bit trickier, as they must still have record of the account. If your account was closed a long time ago, they usually request you know the account number or fax them a statement.

[Anonymous]

My old account was closed (by me) in 3/07 as I was about to file a BK and knew they would close immediately.  I did not want the "Account closed by credit grantor" comment, and since I have an AMEX through work for work only expenses, I could not risk them closing that one as well.

Since it is less than 2 years, you think they would still back date it?  The old one was actually opened in 1995 and that 13+ year history extension would be awesome.....

[Anonymous]

Does this work if you had a corp AMEX card several years ago that is closed and you decide to open your first personal card several years later.

[Anonymous]

If you were the one paying the bills, then yes you can. You'd probably need a statement (or account no) from that account if it was a little too old.

[elaine829]

I had a Amex card from 1989 which I completely forgot about. I don't even remember if I close it or they closed it. I applied for the blue card a couple of months and logged on to my account and it said you have been a member since 1989. I was totally shocked. So they do backdate.

[Anonymous]

Ok this is going to be interesting my Father had an Amex card in my name up until last year Dec 09.  I finally have my own coming in the mail anyday now.  I wonder if it is going to show that I am a member since '73 because that is what it shows on my reports.  Oh by the way if you have young kids get them signed up for a card it will help their credit history and please teach them how to maintain a good credit history probably the only thing my father did not explain to me.

[Anonymous]

Ok I recieved my card today it says member since 10 but when I log into my account it says member since '73.  So your guess is as good as mine.

[Anonymous]

If you card should be member since 73, call up customer service and notify them of the error.

They sent a replacement card for my wife after we cleared up her member since date. Their system, and presumably reporting, said 01, but the card -- which was opened last month -- said 10.

[Anonymous]

I had the same problem.  When my Zync arrived it had member since 10 but when I logged on the AMEX website it said member since 89.

I called customer service on a Tuesday and explain the mix up with the member since date.  I received my card on the Thursday with the correct member since date of 89.

I would just give CS a call and within a couple of minutes they can straightens it out for you.