Does Chase convert obsolete cards without asking ?
 

Assuming that the Marriott-Starwood merger might mean a brand new card from Chase, would Chase convert all Marriott card holders automatically?

If they automatically convert without asking, you wouldn't be eligible for any signup bonus for a couple of years since a conversion counts as having the card.

Just wondering what Chase did in the past regarding conversions and how they affect signup bonus eligibility.

I believe the discontinued Fairmont cards have been auto-converted to Sapphire Preferred, but that's a different situation than the introduction of a new card. If Chase loses the Marriott contract it's possible the accounts would be sold to the new issuer, but you should have an opportunity to cancel.

So in that example, if the person never had the CSP and by Chase automatically force-converting the card, did he/she lose eligibility for the CSP bonus for at least two years?

Chase bonus eligibility is based on 24 months from previous bonus. If you received no bonus, you are not disqualified, although you do need to close the account before applying.

However, bear in mind that bonus eligibility rules typically change without notice, for example:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...hire-card.html

To answer the question in the thread title, Chase has done this in the past. When Chase lost the Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card, holders were converted to Freedom Unlimited (or maybe it was Freedom, I don't recall).

I don't know how this affected sign-up bonus eligibility.

Yes it was Freedom. The Unlimited was not around at the time. As a card holder we did not get a vote other then to keep it as a Freedom or CANX the Amtrak Card before or after it was auto-converted.