Ok, this is a long story, but, the highlights are:

Background:

• Several years ago I moved to the US with no credit history.
• I was able to get a Capital One card with no rewards and a $500 credit limit as my first CC (at least I did not have to go the secured route)
• I used the card for everything (paying it off several times per month due to the low limit)
• Eventually I got enough of a credit history to get better credit cards
• I stopped used the Cap 1 card. I have not used it in years.
• At some point they raised the credit limit to $750 (lol)
• I kept the card open because it is my oldest card and has no AF.
• I now have several credit cards with 10k-30k limits (including a different capital one card) and a credit score in the 750-800 range depending on who you ask (I think Cap 1 uses TU, which has me closer to 800 than 750)
• A few months ago they offered to upgrade my $750 card to a Quicksilver (1.5% CB). I upgraded but still do not use the card (they sent me a new card when I upgraded)

Then, yesterday, I thought I had lost several CCs. In a panic I started calling for replacements. When I got to the Cap 1 Quicksilver I called them and they said that the card was flagged to not have any new plastic sent out if it was ever lost, stolen, or expired. I could only close the account; they would not send me a new card. He said that he could not change this.

I asked if I could keep the account open while I looked for the card. They (surprisingly) agreed. Then this morning I found my supposedly lost cards on the floor of my bedroom (yeah, I am really disorganized).

Normally I would not care. This card does not have enough CL to be useful (and I have more credit than I could possibly use anyway; well into 6 figures). But, it's my first opened card, so I'd rather not close it. It certainly helps my credit length (still fairly short at around 8 years) and my AAoA. Does anyone know why it was flagged? I assume due to non-use (my last charge was probably 6+ years ago). The account is still open and the card does not expire for another couple of years. If I start using it a little (say, $50-$100 per month, every month) is there any chance that this flag will be lifted and they will let me keep the account open when the card expires? Or should I just give up?