Hi all, looking for some advice.

I just hit my first anniversary with my Chase Continental OnePass world mastercard and was charged the $85 fee. I am trying to figure out what my options are.

1. Does Chase/Continental still allow a downgrade to a fee-free card without closing the account? My credit history is relatively young and I don't want to cancel this account if I don't have to. I spoke with a service rep who said the only downgrade he can give me is to a $65/yr card. This didn't line up with what I've read online. Did Chase change their policies or was the rep BSing me? I still have a few weeks in which to cancel so I hung up without cancelling or downgrading.

2. Do you think I will have any success if I call the credit application dept and ask them to apply for the onepass plus card, 50k bonus miles, first year fee waived etc - and then ask them to switch the onepass account to the onepassplus account if I am approved? I don't know if that makes any sense but if it's possible, please let me know!

3. Are there other options that will allow me to avoid the fee and not close the account? Please share!

I'm pretty new to the whole credit card/miles world so talk to me like I'm an idiot. :-) Thanks all for your help.

Extra information - I am travelling this month on a continental award business class ticket that I purchased on the card (not flying continental metal though) - does it make sense to keep the card till after my trip and then cancel? Since I'm in business, I don't think the 1st bag fee waived makes any difference to me and I've already received my travel vouchers/lounge passes anyway (not that I'll need them for this trip).