No value these days to the AAdvantage Business Card....want to exchange it and the off-shore call center is saying the only option is to close the card and apply for another card from scratch.

Is this true? Are there any strategies manage this without leaving the Citi ecosystem to accomplish, otherwise ways that will not require a hard inquiry?
Would closing the AA card in close proximity to another Citi application lend support for approval (presuming strong credit score, however several recent inquires and cards granted (one by citi.)