Sorry for asking this oft talked about subject again, I'm not sure I'm understanding the backdating process very clearly. So I gather that reopening an AMEX account will enable you to receive a member since date consistent with the original account. I believe I have done this, as I see "member since 2005" when I log into my amex account. Here's the dumb question- does this actually have any effect on my AAoA?? The CSR I talked to said that this will definitely be reported as a new account on my credit report, added in April 2014. I asked specifically if new cards I open will be aged by any date older than when I actually opened them. He chuckled and said "Sorry sir I can't comment on that". On an unrelated note, I asked if there was any way I could reopen the existing Delta SkyMiles card that I had in 2005, and was transferred to an 'expert' who very politely told me "no way". Now I remember why I loved being an AMEX member, they're so polite and funny even when they're telling you where you can shove it 
@Mulligan2708 wrote:
Sorry for asking this oft talked about subject again, I'm not sure I'm understanding the backdating process very clearly. So I gather that reopening an AMEX account will enable you to receive a member since date consistent with the original account. I believe I have done this, as I see "member since 2005" when I log into my amex account. Here's the dumb question- does this actually have any effect on my AAoA?? The CSR I talked to said that this will definitely be reported as a new account on my credit report, added in April 2014. I asked specifically if new cards I open will be aged by any date older than when I actually opened them. He chuckled and said "Sorry sir I can't comment on that". On an unrelated note, I asked if there was any way I could reopen the existing Delta SkyMiles card that I had in 2005, and was transferred to an 'expert' who very politely told me "no way". Now I remember why I loved being an AMEX member, they're so polite and funny even when they're telling you where you can shove it
Once you lock in your MSD (Member Since Date) the year of subsequent cc's will reflect your MSD. Additional cc's*, will reflect the month of THAT card and the year of your MSD.
If you are a primary cardholder, your CR's will be backdated as well. Amex recently changed their policy to exclude the CR backdating for ACMs - when you become a primary, your CR's would be backdated for YOUR new cc. In your case, your date opened will be 04/2005. Your date first reported will be 04/2014. For scoring purposes, FICO uses date opened.
*personal cards - business cards it's a YMMV
