There is a thread in MilesBuzz! about the citi AAdvantage cards. People have success applying for a new set of cards and receiving the bonus, while leaving their old cards active, as long as their last successful application was roughly 18 months ago.

So, if the Forward holds the same - and who knows if it does? - then letting the conversion happen wouldn't necessarily affect receiving a bonus later.

Furthermore, there was something I read in the forum somewhere about citi requiring you redeem outstanding TYP if you cancel a card. Maybe mia knows more about that?

Also note one difference on the Forward card: instead of sending in transcripts, there's a 100 pt/month bonus for paying on time and staying under limit.