Applying for an amex card just to be an amex member even if I don't need the card?

[Anonymous]

I currently have 5 cards, including Visa, Mastercard and Discover. I don't have an amex card because:

1. 5 cards are enough to me (actually somewhat too many);

2. Although amex has many great cards, none of them is suitable for me.

Now my friend, a big fan of amex, strongly suggests I should get one amex card, like blue cash everyday. He told me three reasons making amex card a must:

1. After getting your first amex card, all of your future cards will be backdated to the date of your first card. That is, your future cards won't shorten your average credit history. You should join amex'ers as soon as possible. Is this true? Then this is indeed a great benefit.

2. The services of amex are awesome. He particularly recommended the shopping services like extended warranty. But I can see some similar benefits on my Discover and my World Mastercard. Is amex better at such services?

3. Collecting all the four card types is good for your credit scores. True or false again?

In fact, I don't need a blue cash everyday at all because I seldom go to a supermarket which accepts amex. The grocery store I visit a lot doesn't like amex and I use my BOA 123 card. Plus, having 6 cards will be a headache for me a college student.

Thus, what I really want to ask is:

Is it worth applying for an amex card just in order to become an amex member as soon as possible, even though I don't need the card at all?

Does being an amex member have such huge and attractive benefits that it's a must to have one as soon as you can?

I am sure I will get one if I apply, and it hurts little except the hard pull. I don't know whether I will regret not becoming an amex card earlier after I realize the great benefits, or whether I will regret getting an unnecessary card only for some trivial benefits.

Thanks in advance.

[Chris679]

1. True
2. You could argue either way
3. False

[myjourney]

Welcome to the forum 

Not much I can add to your friends point of view other than do you buy gas at which you may want to look at an Amex 

But each person has to access whats the best fit for their portfolio and in fact Amex may not fit you....not all cards are meant for all people 

What cards do you have now and where is the majority of your spending?

[Anonymous]

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@myjourney wrote:

Welcome to the forum 

Not much I can add to your friends point of view other than do you buy gas at which you may want to look at an Amex 

But each person has to access whats the best fit for their portfolio and in fact Amex may not fit you....not all cards are meant for all people 

What cards do you have now and where is the majority of your spending?

---

Thank you, myjourney.

The 5 cards I have: Discover it, Citi Forward, BOA 123, Barclay Arrival and Chase Freedom, all very popular cards. 

I am a college student so gas and supermarket, the two primary cash back sources of BCE, are not quite interesting to me. I buy stuffs in a grocery store next to our dining hall a lot but they don't accept Amex so I only use BOA 123 there. I swipe my cards mainly on dining, book stores, Amazon, as well as the grocery store I mentioned. Of course I can manage to use an amex card like when driving my dad's car and paying for the gas. However, with a BOA 123 in hand, BCE doesn't beat much.

[Anonymous]

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@Chris679 wrote:
1. True
2. You could argue either way
3. False

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Thank you, Chris679. Can you make some comments on whether it's worth applying for one in my case?

[myjourney]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@myjourney wrote:

Welcome to the forum 

Not much I can add to your friends point of view other than do you buy gas at which you may want to look at an Amex 

But each person has to access whats the best fit for their portfolio and in fact Amex may not fit you....not all cards are meant for all people 

What cards do you have now and where is the majority of your spending?

---

Thank you, myjourney.

The 5 cards I have: Discover it, Citi Forward, BOA 123, Barclay Arrival and Chase Freedom, all very popular cards. 

I am a college student so gas and supermarket, the two primary cash back sources of BCE, are not quite interesting to me. I buy stuffs in a grocery store next to our dining hall a lot but they don't accept Amex so I only use BOA 123 there. I swipe my cards mainly on dining, book stores, Amazon, as well as the grocery store I mentioned. Of course I can manage to use an amex card like when driving my dad's car and paying for the gas. However, with a BOA 123 in hand, BCE doesn't beat much.

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In all honesty I think your pretty well covered and at the moment Amex may not be right for you at this point in your portfolio.

But as your lifestyle changes reassess your cards as well

[Anonymous]

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@myjourney wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@myjourney wrote:

Welcome to the forum 

Not much I can add to your friends point of view other than do you buy gas at which you may want to look at an Amex 

But each person has to access whats the best fit for their portfolio and in fact Amex may not fit you....not all cards are meant for all people 

What cards do you have now and where is the majority of your spending?

---

Thank you, myjourney.

The 5 cards I have: Discover it, Citi Forward, BOA 123, Barclay Arrival and Chase Freedom, all very popular cards. 

I am a college student so gas and supermarket, the two primary cash back sources of BCE, are not quite interesting to me. I buy stuffs in a grocery store next to our dining hall a lot but they don't accept Amex so I only use BOA 123 there. I swipe my cards mainly on dining, book stores, Amazon, as well as the grocery store I mentioned. Of course I can manage to use an amex card like when driving my dad's car and paying for the gas. However, with a BOA 123 in hand, BCE doesn't beat much.

---

In all honesty I think your pretty well covered and at the moment Amex may not be right for you at this point in your portfolio.

But as your lifestyle changes reassess your cards as well

---

Thank your for your advice, myjourney. Then I will save a hard pull and wait until it's needed.

[myjourney]

Do a little research IIRC 

Sallie mae pays 5% on food, gas and books (Amazon)

[SunriseEarth]

As for your friend's points...

1. True.   Any future AMEX will use the year of your MSD (Member Since Date).   For example, I got an AMEX when I was a college freshman in 1998 and closed it later that year, as the CL was smallish for me.  This year, I applied for the BCE on March 4th.  My CRs say that my BCE opened on 3/4/1998.

2. True. AMEX is certainly renowned for their customer service, as can be attested all over the boards.  Individual experience varies, but I know I'm very pleased with them.

3.  False.  Having CCs that use different processing networks has no direct affect on credit scores.  

Is there a reason for getting an AMEX for you? Yes, if you want to lock in your MSD to this year.   If you do spending at select department stores, you'd get 2% rewards with a BCE.  Aside from that, most of the rewards seem to line up with your BofA card.  But then again, you could get a CC and just SD it, too.  Or close it and see if you find something you like at AMEX 16 years later; that worked for me.  

[yudeology101]

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@myjourney wrote:

Welcome to the forum 

Not much I can add to your friends point of view other than do you buy gas at which you may want to look at an Amex 

But each person has to access whats the best fit for their portfolio and in fact Amex may not fit you....not all cards are meant for all people 

What cards do you have now and where is the majority of your spending?

---

+1.  Every card has its purpose and if you don't need it, then don't go for it.    However,  if you are looking at the long term, getting an AMEX right now can help you w/ its backdating down the road when you apply for different AMEX card that may attract you.  BCE is a great card, it can supplement your current BOA 123 card for gas/groceries purchases.  With no AF, it makes it well worth it IMO.