When should I app?

[Kennie02]

I have added some great cards to my wallet and I am hoping that they all grow. However, I realized that the one thing I need is an Amex. I purchase my gas and groceries 90% of the time at Costco. I would like to add the Costco TE to my wallet for the 3% back on gas and maybe a BCE.  I know they pull Exp and I currently have 5 inquiries there. Is that too many? 3 are from this year and 2 will fall off in May and December 2015. I have recently opened new accounts (Chase Amazon and Discover It 8/14, Barclay 6/14). Would this be considered too many recent accounts? My current util is 20% but will lower it to less than 10% when I app. I would like to app in Dec 14 for maximum backdating but will wait if that will mean approval. I was denied last December and I don't want another denial.

[Involver]

To maximize your MSN you would apply in Jan 15, not Dec 14.

[Involver]

MSD*

[Kennie02]

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@Involver wrote:
To maximize your MSN you would apply in Jan 15, not Dec 14.

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Really? I thought if I applied and was approved in December I would have a MSD of 2014 which would show technically 1 year in 2015. I must not fully understand how this works....

[red259]

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@Involver wrote:
To maximize your MSN you would apply in Jan 15, not Dec 14.

I disagree. My understanding is that this is OPs first card. Its in OPs interest to obtain the card in 2014. If this was OPs second or third etc then OP would want to app in Jan for max backdating. 

[jamesdwi]

First AMEX card should always done before the end of the current year, to set the date if you are approved, second and beyond cards get the best backdating benefits by APing in January... 

first AMEX card was in December of 2011, my second AMEX was done in January, it shows on my report as  1/2011, thus 11 months older than my first AMEX.  gotta love backdating.

[Involver]

Oh whoops I misread, this is your first Amex.

Then, yes, December.

[red259]

Is there a way for OP to get two amex cards in one pull if the apps are on different dates? For example apping for card one on 12/31 and card 2 on 1/1? I assume both apps have to be same day, because that would be sweet backdating on one pull. 

[chalupaman]

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@red259 wrote:

Is there a way for OP to get two amex cards in one pull if the apps are on different dates? For example apping for card one on 12/31 and card 2 on 1/1? I assume both apps have to be same day, because that would be sweet backdating on one pull. 

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I did an app for the Amex Green and Amex Everyday and was approved for both on one HP. Green was instant approval and it took a few days for the decision to be made on the ED card. Hope that helps.

[red259]

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@chalupaman wrote:

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@red259 wrote:

Is there a way for OP to get two amex cards in one pull if the apps are on different dates? For example apping for card one on 12/31 and card 2 on 1/1? I assume both apps have to be same day, because that would be sweet backdating on one pull. 

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I did an app for the Amex Green and Amex Everyday and was approved for both on one HP. Green was instant approval and it took a few days for the decision to be made on the ED card. Hope that helps.

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But you submitted the application for both cards on the same day correct?