American Express Membership Rewards - Possible to switch from Amex Delta Skymiles to *Wood Card?

Is it possible to switch over from Delta to another affinity card without going through the application process? The benefits and service of the Delta Skymiles card are pretty lame. I just don't want to have to open another account if it can be "transferred".
Anyone know?
Thanks!

Short answer: No. And you would lose the *Wood enrollment bonus anyway.

UpgradeMe, are you sure of your response ? The Delta and Starwood cards are both OPTIMA, which is of course AMEX's credit card (not charge card like the colored Green, Gold, Plat, and Cent), and as such, I would assume AMEX would "modify" the affinity of the card upon request without re-applying.

Citibank, Chase, and most CREDIT CARD program I know and have held all will do change the affinity partner with just a phone call.

I have to admit I have never called AMEX to do this, but I would think they probably can.

One major reason the OP might want to do it this way is because he/she may have a significant credit line built-up and doesn't want to abandon the cl, or he/she may have had creditworthiness change and won't qualify for the higher line of the older Delta / OPTIMA card he/she currently holds.

In either case, the promotion starpoints may not be significant to these other issues.

Yes, it can be done. I did exactly what you propose 2 months ago. I called AMEX and had my Delta card changed to a Starwood card. Kept the same account number. I had a small balance on the account, it transferrred. The only downside is that you do not get an enrollment bonus.

Yes, it can be done. Amex allows you to do a "product trade" between most of their credit cards. I converted my Delta Amex to the SPG Amex. I also converted my Optima to the Hilton Amex. The advantage to converting an existing account is you retain your history. The disadvantage, as mentioned in the other threads, is you won't receive the bonus points.

I also changed from DL to SPG with a phone call to AMEX. The best part, for me, was keeping the same account number so pre-authorized payments stayed in place. And I imagine the open date for the line of credit is the original date...which is better for credit history reporting.

No one who has done this got new miles or points from the new card?

I called to convert Delta to Starwood. No bonus miles. I went to the Starwood site to apply and cancelled the application while in process (closed the window) another window popped up offering the 10K bonus total (4K for first use and 6K for stays- which AMEX would not offer over the phone)

I then applied online and got an instant approval. A few days later when the card arrived I called Amex and asked them to transfer and combine my much larger credit limit on the Delta to the Starwood. I only left a small credit line on the Delta (no fee card) - but may close it soon. I am avoiding all business with Deta anyway.

traveler18,
yes, this is another way to do it (open the new starwood/optima amex account simultaneously to having the delta/optima), then shifting the old credit line to the new card, then closing the old delta/optima, but has the negatives of creating an additional credit inquiry on your credit profile (which will lower your FICO score temporarily) and it may be the OP could not qualify for the second card (reasons are unstated).

Your strategy is probably the stronger one if you are not concerned w/ FICO issues so as to earn the promotional points for opening the account.

I did a conversion of blue cash to SPG by calling up CSR. I got the first year fee waived as well as got the 4000 bonus points. When I called up the CSR, I made sure that she gave me those benefits as a first time applicant for SPG. I still had to hound amex for the bonus points (had to call like 5-6 times) before they gave me the points. I also got the 1000 bonus points for each stay upto 6 stays (I just stayed once though).

I called Amex last month to change my Delta to a 2nd SPG, they said no. So I am surprised to hear some say they have been able to do this.

They did allow me to move the credit line from my Delta and add it to my existing SPG account, basically doubling it.