timing my AmEx app: 2012 or 2013?

[hateAshbury]

is there any measurable benefit (approval chances, backdating, AAoA, etc) to applying in either late 2012 or early 2013? My naive plan is to apply in late November, so that the card will show member since 2012 instead of 2013. And maybe decisioners are less selective at the end of the month? What do I need to know here?

[Anonymous]

---

@hateAshbury wrote:

is there any measurable benefit (approval chances, backdating, AAoA, etc) to applying in either late 2012 or early 2013? My naive plan is to apply in late November, so that the card will show member since 2012 instead of 2013. And maybe decisioners are less selective at the end of the month? What do I need to know here?

---

Can't say anything about approval chances based on time of month/year.

For AAoA -  the quicker you get it, the quicker it begins to age.  Or the quicker you screw up your current AAoA.

For Backdating, you want 2012 if this is your first Amex.  Any future Amex cards will report as being opened in whatever month you opened them, but have the original year of your first card with them.  So...2012 is better than 2013.  If you were to open an Amex right now, and then open a second one in Jan...the second card would report as being opened in Jan 2012.

[webhopper]

I think you should app in 2012

[Revelate]

2012 absolutely. Doesn't matter much 5+ years from now 2012 vs 2013; however, if you are planning to change your credit portfolio in the next few years and Amex figures into that plan somewhere, 2012 is much, much better.

[creditnocash]

if you have no amex cards right now id say 2012. if you do jan 2013. 

get your util as low as possible and go for it. 

[LS2982]

I agree with everyone else, app this year.