Question about Age of Accounts

[amdm2013]

I just pulled out my three credit reports yesterday and found out the following information in the 'Length of History' section.

Oldest Account Age

The age of your oldest account tells lenders how long you have
been using and managing credit.

18.6 Years

Average Account Age

The older the average age of your accounts, the more favorable
you are in the eyes of lenders.

2.6 Years

The report shows that I have been a card member for over 18 years, which is not true. I was an AU with my brother's AmEx card in 1999, for two years,

and again in 2010 for less than a year. He has been a card member since 1995. 

Could anyone please share your views on this? Thanks.

[indiolatino61]

---

@amdm2013 wrote:

I just pulled out my three credit reports yesterday and found out the following information in the 'Length of History' section.

Oldest Account Age

The age of your oldest account tells lenders how long you have
been using and managing credit.

18.6 Years

Average Account Age

The older the average age of your accounts, the more favorable
you are in the eyes of lenders.

2.6 Years

The report shows that I have been a card member for over 18 years, which is not true. I was an AU with my brother's AmEx card in 1999, for two years,

and again in 2010 for less than a year. He has been a card member since 1995. 

Could anyone please share your views on this? Thanks.

---

It's my understanding that AmEx starts an AU's "clock" when he/she is first added. If you were an AU in 1999, then you should show an oldest account age of approx. 15 years. It seems that the CB is giving you an AU date from your brother's MSD. Even if it's a mistake, 15 years or 18 years (FICO rounds down), it's still a good thing. The best of luck to you.

[takeshi74]

---

@amdm2013 wrote:

Could anyone please share your views on this? 

---

Appreciate what you have -- others would love to have an additional 3 years on their MSD.

[Anonymous]

---

@amdm2013 wrote:

I just pulled out my three credit reports yesterday and found out the following information in the 'Length of History' section.

Oldest Account Age

The age of your oldest account tells lenders how long you have
been using and managing credit.

18.6 Years

Average Account Age

The older the average age of your accounts, the more favorable
you are in the eyes of lenders.

2.6 Years

The report shows that I have been a card member for over 18 years, which is not true. I was an AU with my brother's AmEx card in 1999, for two years,

and again in 2010 for less than a year. He has been a card member since 1995. 

Could anyone please share your views on this? Thanks.

---

I believe at that stage Amex DID give AUs the MSD of the basic member, so you inherited your brothers.  And though the  policy has since changed, I assume they see no need to revise those dates to fit the new policy.

So I don't think it is a mistake, just a gain from the way the process used to be, so as others said, it's good for you.

This assumes that the Amex really is the oldest account.  Does the CR show that?

[amdm2013]

---

@indiolatino61 wrote:

---

@amdm2013 wrote:

I just pulled out my three credit reports yesterday and found out the following information in the 'Length of History' section.

Oldest Account Age

The age of your oldest account tells lenders how long you have
been using and managing credit.

18.6 Years

Average Account Age

The older the average age of your accounts, the more favorable
you are in the eyes of lenders.

2.6 Years

The report shows that I have been a card member for over 18 years, which is not true. I was an AU with my brother's AmEx card in 1999, for two years,

and again in 2010 for less than a year. He has been a card member since 1995. 

Could anyone please share your views on this? Thanks.

---

It's my understanding that AmEx starts an AU's "clock" when he/she is first added. If you were an AU in 1999, then you should show an oldest account age of approx. 15 years. It seems that the CB is giving you an AU date from your brother's MSD. Even if it's a mistake, 15 years or 18 years (FICO rounds down), it's still a good thing. The best of luck to you.

Thanks indiolatino61

[amdm2013]

---

@takeshi74 wrote:

---

@amdm2013 wrote:

Could anyone please share your views on this? 

---

Appreciate what you have -- others would love to have an additional 3 years on their MSD.

---

Thanks takeshi74 ... this wasn't a complaint! ... I just needed clarification if I should report to have it corrected.

[amdm2013]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

---

@amdm2013 wrote:

I just pulled out my three credit reports yesterday and found out the following information in the 'Length of History' section.

Oldest Account Age

The age of your oldest account tells lenders how long you have
been using and managing credit.

18.6 Years

Average Account Age

The older the average age of your accounts, the more favorable
you are in the eyes of lenders.

2.6 Years

The report shows that I have been a card member for over 18 years, which is not true. I was an AU with my brother's AmEx card in 1999, for two years,

and again in 2010 for less than a year. He has been a card member since 1995. 

Could anyone please share your views on this? Thanks.

---

I believe at that stage Amex DID give AUs the MSD of the basic member, so you inherited your brothers.  And though the  policy has since changed, I assume they see no need to revise those dates to fit the new policy.

So I don't think it is a mistake, just a gain from the way the process used to be, so as others said, it's good for you.

This assumes that the Amex really is the oldest account.  Does the CR show that?

---

Thanks. Yes, this is the oldest account on my CR.