Can old, closed accounts be reactivated? If so, does it retain its "age" and become a hard inquiry?

[JNesbit89]

I had a Synchrony/NEWEGG account from Nov 2015 until April 2017. It had a limit of $5000. I missed 1 payment on Oct 2016 though..

Another account I had was Synchrony/AMAZON, which ended in exceptional standing and no missed payments. Had it from Nov 2015 until Sep 2017. This had a lower limit of $870 at the time.

I was overall curious if it's even possible to have them "reactivate" the closed account itself (NOT begin a new account).

I've read some do and some don't, but haven't been able to determine if it had to do with the company itself, the date it was closed, or why it was closed, etc.

If they COULD be reactivated, would they count as if they had been activated since their original start date? Like if I could get the Newegg account reopened, would it's length be considered Nov 2015 - Aug 2021. That would be useful for the age of my credit.

Last question. In the event that a company can and does reactivated a specific closed account, does that require a hard or soft inquiry on your credit? Thanks!

[tcbofade]

Doubtful.  

Certainly not the Synchrony accounts.

I think that it might vary by lender, but I can't think of a lender that will reopen without an inquiry.

Good luck!

[JNesbit89]

Appreciate the info. I do have a Synchrony Paypal account in great standing, recently got a CLI to $10,000. But I'm guessing you mean as a company they don't do it?

[Anonymous]

---

@tcbofade wrote:

Doubtful.  

Certainly not the Synchrony accounts.

I think that it might vary by lender, but I can't think of a lender that will reopen without an inquiry.

Good luck!

---

And the few times we have heard of success, it's more accounts closed say 1 month ago, rather than ones of this type of age.    As an issuer, I would want a new application after that time!

[JNesbit89]

That makes perfect sense, and probably would require a hard inquiry even if they could reactivate a closed account.

Theoretically though, say an account was opened in 2010 and closed in 2018. If you were to reactive it somehow, would the age of the account now be 1 month, or act as if it was open since 2010.

[MrDisco99]

I'm not aware of any issuer that will "reactivate" a closed account.

You could app for it again, but it would be a new pull and new account with no age.

[Sloedough]

Not how it works. Once an account is closed it stays that way. If they do "reactivate" it will be a new account, thus lowering your total age on your credit reports.

[SunriseEarth]

Some creditors may be able to reinstate a closed credit account, but this is becoming increasingly uncommon.   Comenity has been known to reopen an account closed within the past 30 days, but this is YMMV and may vary with each credit product of theirs.  

[NRB525]

Age of accounts is interesting toward scoring, but keep in mind you have been getting an age benefit for these cards, unless Sync already deleted them from your reports. 

What other cards do you have, with their appropriate open month, and closed date if applicable? That gives a better perspective on the aging metrics.  

I also agree, beyond a 30 day horizon, don't expect any cards to be reopened by any bank.  

[JNesbit89]

Kinda spoke about this the other day, but basically: say you had an account expire in 2015. Due to inactivity. Is it possible that an account that old could be reactivated? What's the oldest CC account you've seen deactivated? 

Lastly, is it possible for a reactivation to be soft check? Actually is it possible to get a brand new credit line/credit account without a hard inquiry? I know some CLIs are soft inquiry's are soft, but getting a new card?

Thanks!