Just as a life hacking side note regarding the annual fee, most reward credit cards (especially the airline ones) will have a steep 59-499 annual fee, but like you said are waived for first year. I have signed up for various Citi American Airlines cards, completed the required purchase to receive the 30,000 or so bonus miles, then cancelled 9 months in before the new fee takes affect. I typically reward the issuer with my business (I travel for work and have lots reimbursable purchases), but when I do close, I get an offer to receive a statement credit in the amount of the annual fee, effectively getting the sign up bonus, plus rewards free for two years. Worth a shot.
Also, if you do close before the year is up and wait some negligible undisclosed period of time (typically 9 months - 1 year) you can start the party all over. I am on my third American Airlines Citi Mastercard over the past 6 years and those 90,000 miles let me fly two people to czech republic from us and one round trip to memphis (exotic, I know).
Enjoy the trip!