The age of your credit accounts influences your credit scores because scoring models want to see how you’ve handled credit over time. In FICO, “length of credit history” is one of five main categories and includes the age of your oldest account, youngest account, and the average age of all accounts (AAoA). VantageScore evaluates similar information under its “depth of credit” factor. In short: older is generally better, and abrupt changes—like opening or closing accounts—can shift your numbers.
Quick answer: The age of credit accounts and its effect on score boils down to time in file: longer histories and higher AAoA tend to help, while rapid new-account activity or losing old accounts can temporarily hurt—especially around major loans. As of now, the fundamentals haven’t changed: be patient, avoid unnecessary churn, and preserve positive history.
Friendly note: This article is educational, not individualized financial advice.
1. Understand What “Age” Really Measures (and Which Models Use It)
Age of credit is the timeline of your borrowing behavior, and it’s captured by several sub-metrics: oldest account age, newest account age, average age of accounts, and time since specific accounts were used. FICO categorizes these under “length of credit history,” which contributes around 15% of your FICO® Score, while VantageScore assesses account ages within its “depth of credit” factor. The takeaway is consistent: the longer your responsible track record, the more predictive—and typically the more favorable—your score tends to be. Knowing which model your lender uses (often a FICO version for mortgages and auto loans) helps you predict how age changes will land.
1.1 Why it matters
- Predictive power: More months of payment history reduce uncertainty for lenders.
- Model differences: FICO gives length of history a defined 15% weighting; VantageScore folds age into “depth of credit” (no fixed % published).
- Practical impact: A single young account rarely tanks a solid file—but stacking several quickly can.
1.2 Guardrails
- Aim for steady, long-term relationships with accounts you manage well.
- Before a major loan, minimize changes that could shorten AAoA.
- Track which model your lender uses and plan accordingly.
Synthesis: Treat age as a long game: consistency and patience tend to win with both FICO and VantageScore.
2. Master Your Average Age of Accounts (AAoA) — and Do the Math
AAoA is the average time since opening for all your reported accounts. Because it’s a mean, each new account lowers it and each month gradually raises it back. A strong AAoA signals stability; a thin or young file is more sensitive to changes. Many borrowers never calculate AAoA, but a quick estimate helps you anticipate dips before you apply for a mortgage, car loan, or premium card. Remember: most scoring models weigh all your reported accounts; some versions may treat closed accounts differently, but the principle remains—new accounts dilute age.
2.1 Numbers & example
- Formula: AAoA = (sum of account ages in months) ÷ (number of accounts).
- Example: If you have 5 accounts aged 120, 84, 60, 36, and 12 months, AAoA = (312) ÷ 5 = 62.4 months (~5.2 years).
- Add a new card: New account at 0 months changes the set to 120, 84, 60, 36, 12, 0 → AAoA = 312 ÷ 6 = 52 months (~4.3 years). That instant 11-month drop can marginally trim your score until it seasons.
2.2 Mini-checklist
- Calculate your AAoA before major applications.
- Avoid account sprees that push AAoA down sharply.
- If you must open, space applications 3–6+ months apart when possible.
Synthesis: A single account tweaks AAoA; multiple new accounts at once can move the needle enough to affect pricing on credit offers.
3. Protect Your Oldest Account—It Anchors Your File
Your oldest account is a cornerstone of your credit history. It demonstrates your longest continuous relationship with credit and can buffer the “youth” introduced by newer accounts. Closing or losing that oldest card doesn’t usually erase its history right away—positive, closed accounts commonly remain on credit reports for up to 10 years—but eventually, when it falls off, your AAoA can step down. Keeping that venerable account open (if low-cost) preserves age and available credit, both of which support scores.
3.1 Common mistakes
- Closing your only long-tenured card to “simplify.”
- Letting an issuer close for inactivity (use it once per cycle or quarter).
- Downgrading incorrectly and opening a new product instead of a product change that maintains history.
3.2 What to do
- If fees are the issue, product change to a no-fee version rather than closing.
- Put a small recurring charge on the oldest card to prevent closure.
- Monitor statements to keep the account active and fraud-free.
Synthesis: Your oldest account is like rebar in concrete—quiet but essential for structure and stability over time.
4. Time New Accounts Strategically (and Respect the “New Credit” Factor)
Opening accounts lowers AAoA and adds hard inquiries. FICO explicitly notes that new credit can trim scores in the short term, and each new tradeline resets your “youngest account” to zero months. Spacing applications reduces the cumulative hit and gives AAoA time to recover. If a big loan is on deck (e.g., a mortgage), consider pausing nonessential applications 3–12 months beforehand to keep your profile calm and predictable for the underwriter.
4.1 Steps to reduce impact
- Batch rate-shopping for auto/student/mortgage within a short window, so inquiries are scored as one in many FICO models.
- Stagger new cards over time to avoid sudden AAoA drops.
- Build credit limits on existing cards to meet utilization goals without opening another line.
4.2 Mini case
You have an AAoA of 6.0 years and plan a mortgage in six months. Opening two cards today could pull AAoA toward ~4.5–5.0 years and add inquiries, possibly shifting pricing tiers. Delay new cards until after closing to minimize surprises. Investopedia
Synthesis: New accounts are normal—but sequencing matters. Small timing adjustments can preserve rate quotes when it counts most.
5. Think Twice Before Closing Cards (Utilization Today, Age Tomorrow)
Closing a credit card usually reduces your total available revolving credit. That can increase your utilization ratio immediately, which often matters more to scores than age changes. Age effects are delayed because many closed, positive accounts stay on your reports for up to 10 years; when they eventually drop, AAoA can step down. Where VantageScore models may exclude some closed accounts earlier, you could see AAoA shift sooner in certain contexts. If annual fees or complexity are the pain points, downgrading or consolidating can be a better move than closing outright.
5.1 Checklist before you close
- Run the math on your utilization after closure.
- Product change to a no-fee card to keep age and credit line.
- Redeem rewards and verify autopays are moved.
- Confirm in writing the account is closed in good standing.
5.2 Region-specific note (U.S.)
Closed positive accounts often remain for up to 10 years; negative information typically remains about 7 years under the FCRA. Policies differ by bureau and model, so exact timing and AAoA treatment can vary.
Synthesis: Don’t close good history lightly. Preserve limits and longevity unless costs clearly outweigh the benefits. Investopedia
6. Use Authorized-User and Joint Strategies Carefully
Being added as an authorized user (AU) can import the age of a well-managed card to your file—sometimes a powerful boost for thin or young histories. FICO confirms that AU accounts can influence FICO® Scores; however, results vary if the issuer or bureau doesn’t report AU data consistently. Also, if the primary cardholder runs up balances or pays late, those negatives can spill into your file. Consider this tool primarily for genuine family/household credit building; verify that the issuer reports AU accounts and the card’s history is clean and seasoned.
6.1 How to do it right
- Choose a low-utilization, on-time card with years of history.
- Confirm the issuer reports AU data to all three bureaus.
- Monitor statements; be ready to remove AU status if risks rise.
6.2 Common pitfalls
- Adding to a high-utilization or fee-laden card.
- Assuming AU status is always counted—reporting practices vary.
- Mistaking AU for a joint account; AUs aren’t legally liable for the debt.
Synthesis: AU can accelerate “time in file,” but it’s not a magic switch—pick the right card and double-check reporting.
7. Let Installment Loans Season—Don’t Rush to Close Every Account
Installment accounts (auto loans, student loans, credit-builder loans) contribute to both your credit mix and your file’s age while they’re open and reporting. Paying off debt is good—yet closing your only installment loan may reduce account diversity and slightly alter age metrics. Credit-builder loans (typically 6–24 months) can help newcomers season their files in a controlled way; just avoid opening and closing multiple short loans rapidly. When possible, finish loans on schedule rather than prepaying solely to “improve” scores.
7.1 Tools & examples
- Credit-builder loans from community banks/credit unions often report monthly and return savings at term end.
- Example: a 12-month builder loan adds installment history and increases age steadily; closing it early erases future months of seasoning.
7.2 Guardrails
- Keep at least one revolving and one installment account active for mix.
- Focus on on-time payments; age without performance won’t carry you.
Synthesis: Let healthy loans “age in place” so your file gains predictable depth month after month.
8. Prevent Inactivity Closures—A Small Charge Beats a Big Surprise
Issuers may close cards for inactivity, sometimes with little or no advance notice. Such closures can cut available credit (raising utilization) and, over time, remove a long-tenured account from active rotation. While closed, positive accounts often remain on your report for years, avoiding the immediate age hit, the utilization change can be swift. Use each card periodically—set a small subscription or quarterly charge—and pay in full to keep lines alive and aging. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
8.1 Quick habits
- Put a small recurring bill on seldom-used cards.
- Enable alerts for balance changes and statement availability.
- Redeem rewards and confirm terms annually.
8.2 If a card is closed
- Ask the issuer within 30–60 days if reinstatement is possible (easier for inactivity than delinquency).
- Rebalance utilization by reducing other balances or requesting limit increases elsewhere.
Synthesis: Keep lines lightly active. It’s a simple way to protect both today’s utilization and tomorrow’s age. Experian
9. Plan by Scoring Model and Lender Reality
Different lenders use different score versions. FICO models explicitly assign about 15% to length of credit history and consider oldest, newest, and average ages; VantageScore reflects similar elements under “depth of credit,” sometimes shown by partners as “age and mix.” Because lenders may rely on distinct versions, your age metrics can contribute slightly differently by context. The safest strategy is universal: keep positive accounts open, avoid unnecessary churn, and allow time to do its compounding work. When in doubt, ask the lender which model/version they’ll use and plan your account moves accordingly.
9.1 What to ask a lender (or yourself)
- Which score/model/version is used for this decision?
- What timeframe matters for re-pulls (e.g., mortgage underwriting)?
- Any guidance on recent account changes that may concern underwriting?
9.2 Practical timeline
- Plan major account changes 90–180 days before important loans.
- Leave room for AAoA recovery and inquiry aging.
- Keep your oldest, low-cost cards open and active.
Synthesis: Models vary, but the playbook doesn’t: steady, seasoned, and low-friction profiles tend to score better across systems.
FAQs
1) What’s a “good” average age of accounts (AAoA)?
There’s no official threshold published by FICO or VantageScore, but higher is better because it indicates stability. Many prime borrowers show AAoA of 5–9+ years. Focus less on a magic number and more on steady growth: preserve old accounts, avoid account sprees, and give time for seasoning. Lenders also weigh payment history and utilization more heavily than age.
2) Does closing a card immediately hurt AAoA?
Often the utilization effect is immediate; the age effect is delayed. Closed, positive accounts typically remain on reports for up to 10 years, so AAoA might not drop right away. When that closed tradeline eventually falls off, AAoA can step down if your remaining accounts are younger.
3) How long do closed accounts stay on my credit reports?
Generally, positive closed accounts can remain for up to 10 years, while negative information (e.g., delinquencies) often remains about 7 years under the FCRA. Exact handling can vary by bureau and circumstances.
4) I’m new to credit (or new to the U.S.). How soon can I get a FICO® Score?
FICO requires at least one account opened 6 months or more and recently reported data (within 6 months). Secured cards or credit-builder loans can help you establish this history.
5) Do authorized-user accounts always help age?
Not always. FICO can consider AU accounts, but the benefit depends on whether the issuer reports AU data and whether the account is well managed with low utilization and no late payments. Some issuers or models may weigh AU data differently. myFICO
6) How many new accounts are “too many”?
There’s no universal cap. The risk comes from stacking new accounts in a short window, which adds inquiries and lowers AAoA. Space applications and line them up with your goals (e.g., wait until after a mortgage closes). myFICO
7) Which matters more—age or utilization?
In most scoring systems, utilization carries more immediate weight than age. Closing a card can spike utilization if limits shrink, which may dent scores more than the gradual age effect. That’s why product changes or keeping zero-fee cards open can be smarter than closing. Experian
8) Does a mortgage help my credit age?
A mortgage adds a large installment account that can season for decades, strengthening both age and mix if paid on time. Opening one is a major event that also adds a new account and hard inquiry, so plan other applications around it.
9) My card was closed for inactivity—what now?
Ask the issuer quickly (ideally within 30–60 days) about reinstatement. If not possible, reduce balances elsewhere or request limit increases on remaining cards to rebalance utilization. Going forward, put a small recurring charge on each seldom-used card. Kiplinger
10) Do closed accounts count in AAoA under VantageScore?
VantageScore evaluates “depth of credit” and may handle closed accounts differently across versions and data inputs. Some partner materials note that certain closed accounts might be excluded. Plan conservatively: protect open, seasoned accounts and avoid relying on closed tradelines for AAoA.
11) What else besides age should I prioritize?
Payment history and amounts owed/utilization usually matter more than age. On-time payments and low revolving balances will carry you much further than squeezing an extra few months of AAoA.
12) How often should I check my age metrics?
Quarterly is fine for most people. Check earlier if you plan to apply for a loan or have opened/closed accounts recently. Many banks and bureaus offer free score tracking and reports to monitor changes.
Conclusion
Credit age rewards patience and consistency. The data behind your score tells a multi-year story about how you manage obligations, and both FICO and VantageScore lean on that story: what’s the oldest relationship, how young is the newest, and how mature is the average across your file? You can’t time-travel to a longer history, but you can avoid avoidable setbacks. Keep your longest-tenured, low-cost cards open and lightly active, space new accounts, and let installment loans season. If you’re building from scratch, consider secured cards or credit-builder loans and, where appropriate, a thoughtful authorized-user strategy—always confirming reporting practices and usage discipline. As of September 2025, the fundamentals are steady: protect your oldest account, minimize churn, and manage utilization. Do those things, and age will quietly—month after month—work in your favor.
Call to action: Review your accounts today, assign one small recurring bill to each older card, and set a calendar reminder to reassess your AAoA in 90 days.
References
- “How Credit History Length Affects Your FICO® Score,” myFICO (accessed Sep 2025). https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/credit-scores/length-of-credit-history
- “What’s in My FICO® Scores?” myFICO (accessed Sep 2025). https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/whats-in-your-credit-score
- “Minimum Requirements for a FICO® Score,” myFICO (accessed Sep 2025). https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/faq/scores/fico-score-requirements
- “The Complete Guide to Your VantageScore,” VantageScore, Oct 11, 2019. https://vantagescore.com/resources/knowledge-center/the-complete-guide-to-your-vantagescore
- “Is Age a Factor in Your Credit Score?” VantageScore, Sep 8, 2023. https://vantagescore.com/resources/knowledge-center/is-age-a-factor-credit-score
- “Understand your credit score,” Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Jun 4, 2025. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/understand-your-credit-score/
- “How Does Length of Credit History Affect Credit Scores?” Experian, Aug 28, 2025. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/length-of-credit-history-affect-credit-scores/
- “When Are Closed Accounts Deleted?” Experian, May 18, 2023. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/when-are-closed-accounts-deleted/
- “How Long Do Closed Accounts Stay on My Credit Report?” TransUnion, Aug 3, 2022. https://www.transunion.com/blog/credit-advice/how-long-do-closed-accounts-stay-on-credit-report
- “What to Know If Your Credit Card Is Closed Due to Inactivity,” NerdWallet, updated Sep 5, 2025. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/credit-card-cancelled-due-inactivity
- “How does length of credit history affect credit scores?” Capital One, Jun 25, 2024. https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/length-of-credit-history/
- “Will Being an Authorized User Help My Credit?” Experian, Apr 30, 2024. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/will-being-an-authorized-user-help-my-credit/
