I called amex and they are waiving the annual fee for the first year, so my new plan of action is to get one of these and have my starwood converted to a regular optima platinum to carry balances on and in the 2nd year of membership call and have part of the annual fee waived, any chance of getting even pat of the annual fee waived? I am thinking of going for the gold card. I know I am addicted but this will be the last one I swear;-)