1K's get it waived if you call, but it should be automatic. Failing a bunch of MR's, you can ask it waived your first year and they will normally do it, although that won't work for you.

If you ask to close the account, they will usually put you through to the retention dept. That is probably your best bet to get the fee waived--they may not waive the fee, and just offer you RDM's to keep the account open though.