@angryfob2 wrote:Thanks everyone (especially rlx01) for all the help in:
I just got Amex PRG approved online and locked in the member since date!!! I understand that subsequent applications will now be a soft pull. How does that work? If I now just apply online for BCP, will that not be a HP?
Also, if I get BCP, and later on cancel PRG (say in 1 year, before the $175 fee kicks in), what does that do to my average age of credit?
SP if denied, HP if approved. Your MSD will be the same as original app (PRG). To maximize your MSD on BCE, apply in Jan 2014...BCE will appear on reports as opened 01/2013, therefore, giving you an additional 11-12 months (math is off today 
) PRG is a charge card which means you pay balance in full every month. BCE is a revolver which you can pay minimum but PIF is encouraged. AAoA will improve with successful BCE app. Closed positive accounts will report up to 10 years after closure...HTH
ETA: If you app for both cards today, it can result in 2 HP's.
@LearningMoreAboutCredit wrote:
@angryfob2 wrote:Thanks everyone (especially rlx01) for all the help in:
I just got Amex PRG approved online and locked in the member since date!!! I understand that subsequent applications will now be a soft pull. How does that work? If I now just apply online for BCP, will that not be a HP?
Also, if I get BCP, and later on cancel PRG (say in 1 year, before the $175 fee kicks in), what does that do to my average age of credit?
SP if denied, HP if approved. Your MSD will be the same as original app (PRG). To maximize your MSD on BCE, apply in Jan 2014...BCE will appear on reports as opened 01/2013, therefore, giving you an additional 11-12 months (math is off today
ETA: If you app for both cards today, it can result in 2 HP's.
This is correct. Wait till January, you will get it backdated to 01/2013
If you want 2 cards for (probably) 1HP: do it right now.
If you want AAoA increase in lieu of another HP: do it in January (choose this option. 
Thanks everyone!
Sorry for reviving, I didn't check "Email me when someone replies" so I thought nobody's replying to me
Just to make sure I understand correctly:
(1) When you apply for an amex card, do you get the month of application, but the year of MSD? So if I apply now for BCP, I'll get 12/2013, but if I apply in Jan, I'll get 1/2013. This is super weird!!!
(2) If I apply and don't get BCP then it's just a SP because I'm an Amex member. How do they know that I'm an Amex member? Through the SSN? How long until I'm "in the system"?
(3) If I apply in Jan and do get BCP, it *is* an HP.
(4) If I apply now (2 days since previous app), and I get BCP, it *might* be an HP.
(5) AAoA win due to (1) is more important for my credit than the HP win due to (3)-(4), given that I want to apply for CSP soon.
@armbenderc wrote:
@LearningMoreAboutCredit wrote:
@angryfob2 wrote:Thanks everyone (especially rlx01) for all the help in:
I just got Amex PRG approved online and locked in the member since date!!! I understand that subsequent applications will now be a soft pull. How does that work? If I now just apply online for BCP, will that not be a HP?
Also, if I get BCP, and later on cancel PRG (say in 1 year, before the $175 fee kicks in), what does that do to my average age of credit?
SP if denied, HP if approved. Your MSD will be the same as original app (PRG). To maximize your MSD on BCE, apply in Jan 2014...BCE will appear on reports as opened 01/2013, therefore, giving you an additional 11-12 months (math is off today
ETA: If you app for both cards today, it can result in 2 HP's.
This is correct. Wait till January, you will get it backdated to 01/2013
+1 backdating goodness rocks. Lessens the impact of a new TL, a second INQ is a small ding, 11 months of backdating could be big all depends on your file.
@angryfob2 wrote:Thanks everyone!
Sorry for reviving, I didn't check "Email me when someone replies" so I thought nobody's replying to me
Just to make sure I understand correctly:
(1) When you apply for an amex card, do you get the month of application, but the year of MSD? So if I apply now for BCP, I'll get 12/2013, but if I apply in Jan, I'll get 1/2013. This is super weird!!! Yes, as long as you are the primary. ACMs do not get backdating on their CRs
(2) If I apply and don't get BCP then it's just a SP because I'm an Amex member. How do they know that I'm an Amex member? Through the SSN? How long until I'm "in the system"? Once you are approved, technically you're in the system. It is rare but a few have encountered HP's on declines
(3) If I apply in Jan and do get BCP, it *is* an HP. yes
(4) If I apply now (2 days since previous app), and I get BCP, it *might* be an HP. Probably will, ESP since there was a delay of 48 hours
(5) AAoA win due to (1) is more important for my credit than the HP win due to (3)-(4), given that I want to apply for CSP soon.
