Question about average age of accounts

[Spiffster]

That's a good question, and it's precisely that reason why I am not too concerned with my FICO "score" per se, but rather if there are any real yellow flags on my report.

post it and we'll let you know.   

[HelpMe]

Does anyone know if the average account age takes into account closed accounts as well, or just open ones?  Or do CC companies look at both averages - including closed vs excluding closed accounts?

FICO considers all accounts (open or closed) when they calculate AAoA. CC companies on the other hand are hard to know since there is so little info or data points to look at.

[AJK]

post it and we'll let you know.   

Thanks, but I don't need your help determining yellow flags.

[Spiffster]

Thanks, but I don't need your help determining yellow flags.

well, you're the one who said they're rather concerned if there are any?

[AJK]

well, you're the one who said they're rather concerned if there are any?

Yes, when reviewing my credit report on my own I look for yellow flags and am less concerned with what the "actual" score is.

[Spiffster]

Yes, when reviewing my credit report on my own I look for yellow flags and am less concerned with what the "actual" score is.

ah, didn't read it that way.

[scwam]

I just used Experian and one of Experian's partner service to get some data on my file. Both came up with an average age of 3.9 years (wanted to make sure offshoots of Experian showed the same data. They did. I then went and counted all my cards on record and wrote down the account opening dates. The total came to 709 months amongst 15 open/closed accounts. Divided by 12 months = 3.93 years. So it seems that the closed accounts (and I only have 2 heavily weighted from the 90's) averaged into a mix of mostly accounts opened in the last 24 months.

I'm thinking since I got an Amex since 29 months ago, maybe applying for another Amex just to get my age grandfathered into the new Amex account. This would change my Experian age minimally ( to about 3.8 years). But I would benefit on my Equifax and TU reports where my average ages are about 2 years, if my new Amex actually does get the age grandfathered in.
What do all of you think? I can certainly take the inquiry.

[AsherO]

Here's a blog post that claims closed accounts count toward average age.

(Not sure how reliable this blogger is (some of these bloggers are so clueless, they'll recommend Citi TYP and Cap1 Venture as the best points-cards out there.)

[presidentialplus]

Is there any new information on this topic?

[HelpMe]

Is there any new information on this topic?

No.