Amex Backaging

[dddewdrop]

     I had an amex green card in 1991 and I really didn't care about my credit then and I burned it up very quickly. I wonder if that will make it harder or easier for me to get an Amex card someday in the future. It sure would be neat to get a green card again and have it backaged to 1991.... Is that possible for me? Even if i get my scores over 700 if I burned them way back when?

[Walt_K]

What do you mean burned it up?  You have a chargeoff that was not paid?  That certainly won't make it easier.  Amex can have a long memory.  A lot of people report having to pay the charge off before being able to get back in.  There are some that slip through the cracks. 

As for backdating, again, it's a mixed bag.  But if I were you and I was able to get back in without having to pay back the charged off amount, I don't think I'd be calling them to request backdating.  I'd leave well enough alone.

[dddewdrop]

Honestly I'm not sure what happened with it. I was very irresponsible right out of college. I had 3 credit cards plus the amex.  I think that I was just really late paying it for a while and they cancelled it but I can't remember. I think you are right. Maybe y.ou are right. Maybe it is best to just forget that chapter altogether with Amex. One thing is for sure. I will not be applying for one anytime soon.... But that's ok. I'm gardening anyway.

[dddewdrop]

Walt K how come your Eq score is waay lower than your other scores?

[Bay_Area_Joe]

Well,

I was in a similar situation way back then.

Over the last few years I have worked very hard, then in Aug of 2012 I discovered MyFico Forums.  The knowledge here is amazing, and only if then I knew what I do now.

So I waited for all things to line up, scores mid-low 700's and gave it a shot.

I have slipped through the cracks.  I applied, has some issues with my frozen EX report, but finally, I got approved, with no EO help.

While speaking with an agent, she says, congradulations sir, and I see you have been a member since 1991.

Bam, a month later, and on my report, instant 22 years and 1 month, my oldest account, and this is my AMEX Green.

Soon, I will go for a revolver for AMEX and more backdating.

All good for me, it can happen.

Thanks to this forum.

[Anonymous]

drop - I'm surprised Walmart gave you a discover with your scores. O.o

[indiolatino61]

I was just approved for AMEX Gold Card a few days ago. When I logged in, I saw my membership date of 1988. I immediately came here and learned about backdating. I was quite happy...until I read another post where someone was also approved for the Gold, but when the person asked for a CLI after almost a year, was told that he must pay a CO'd account to be able to keep his card. I have a CO'd Amex (Gold, I think) from 1988, which was never paid. I was a foolish kid back then...we're talking 25 years ago. It just seems awkward that AMEX reward me with aproval... of a backdated card no less, when I have an unpaid CO. Anyway, my advice to anyone in this kind of situation is to count your blessings and not rock the boat...at least not right away. I will stay in the garden now until at least the Holidays, but AMEX will be off limits until I have a good 18 months of clean payment history with them.

[dddewdrop]

Evil.....I was approved for a Walmart store card not a discover. If i misreperesnted myself i am sorry and want to set the record straight. As far as i understand it I may be offerered an upgrade to the Walmart Discover card at some time in the future. I look forward to that. In the meantime I will make a token purchase or 2 at Walmart, pay inso full and put the card in my  sock draw for the foreseeable future and let my account age like a fine wine !

[pizzadude]

You might slip back in with AMEX.   Or it's possible that you could be blacklisted.    Only way to know for certain is to app for a card, and if you're on the BL you'll be instantly denied with no credit pull.

Some people with old unpaid debt have been able to get back in ( without any adverse actions ) and also get their card backdated, so it's certainly possible.

[dddewdrop]

Pizza, Thanks for the info. i am going to wait a good year til my credit scores are better and  then apply.. I will write them a real nice letter with my application and appeal for another chance since it has been about 20 years. I will worry about the backdating issue til I have my account and it is in good standing for a few months. Don't want to push my luck. That way if I "slip through the cracks," if I establish a good payment history, then when I request backdating maybe they will be less likely to cancel my account if they  then discover my history with them. Thanks for all the responses and info.. Back to the garden. This site is awesome.