I plan to upgrade to the Delta Reserve card at the end of the year which comes with a heftier $450 annual fee but also more benefits
They make you wait 13 months before letting you "upgrade" a card.
Alternate plan- if you have ANYTHING you can consider a business (eBay?) get the Business AMEX along with the personal for a double dose of sign up miles. When you get to the point you can upgrade, get some more MQMs doing that and cancel the business. They refund the annual fee pro rata.
Oh, and pretty good plan for a n00b.