I called up mbna again and they wouldn't allow me to convert to any of their branded cards. The only cards they would offer me were the worldpoints card or the CashBack Card. I asked about the American Express rewards card and they told me I could get that. Therefore, that is what I chose since I have quite a few other cards and the worldpoints program is pathetic compared to most of my other programs. At least with the double points on dining and travel through January 2006 I might benefit somewhat.

The representative explained to me that each cobranded and affinity card has a separate agreement with different terms and conditions and thus the only cards one can convert to are MBNA only cards (cards that don't have a different organizations name on them.) She told me that I could apply for a new card and when I told her I didn't want a new inquiry or to ruin my average age of accounts she claimed that both of them do not hurt your fico score. Obviously this is not true. Additionally, she really seemed to want me to keep my existing card and get a second card from them. There are much better credit card companies out there with better rewards and offer the ability to convert between cards. As such, MBNA is not my first credit card company of choice.

Sincerely,

JC