Amex AoA question

[Anonymous]

I have a Blue Cash with decent AoA.  I just got a Starwood since I couldn't PC (Blue Cash has gone down for me since I don't use it as the go-to and get to the $6500 tier anymore).  I burned an inquiry for it and that is fine.  My question is regarding AoA.  If I kept both open, will my Starwood ding my FICO on AAoA for the new account?   How about if I closed the Blue Cash and transferred the CL to Starwood, would it report the AoA as the age of my Blue Cash since I've been an Amex customer since say 2002?

[Anonymous]

You should be able to keep the Blue Cash open and open the new card. Then have AmEx backdate the new card. I've heard it's possible.

[tiger67]

AmEx should have dated your new card with your prior member since date. You can check this online. If the member since date on the Starwood is the same as the Blue, all is good. It will report to the CRB's as actual month opened and year from your earlier card. If It is not showing this, just call AmEx and they will correct.

[Anonymous]

Amex will keep the year you open the card  the same year of the original card.  there this should not hurt your AAA,  but might actually help a little

[Anonymous]

As usual, you were all spot on and the inquiry wasn't wasted.  Got the card today in the mail and it was backdated to when I opened the blue.  A new account with a minimal ding since it improves my AAofA.