I just called and requested that the annual fee be waived. The CSR said that was not allowed so I thanked her and stated that I was shopping cards and was considering canceling this one if the fee was not waived, so I would be checking around and may call back to cancel. She immediately asked me if I could hold while she checked to see if there was anything she could do and, voila, since I'm "a long time customer who pays on time" the AF will be credited. Thanks for this thread - I never would have asked otherwise!