Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SFO, SJC, OAK, LVK AA Lifetime Plat 2MM, LUV A-List, Hyatt Gold, SPG Lifetime Gold, Commercial Pilot (not employed by airlines)
Posts: 1,531
Here's a scheme I've heard people use.
Call the issuer a month before the fee is due--tell them you want to cancel.
They will likely offer you a few thousand miles to keep the card. Book those miles then call back when the bill with the fee comes and cancel anyway.