Changing rewards card - Timing of cashback/fee

Hey all,

I'm looking at changing cash back cards, from the CIBC Dividend Unlimited to MBNA. The cashback on the CIBC card is paid out annually, at the same time as the annual fee for the card is charged. I'm assuming that I need to keep the card until the end of the year to get the cash back, but I'd like to avoid paying next year's fee (either by cancelling the card or downgrading to a feeless card). Does anyone have any advice on how to negotiate the timing? Can I downgrade now and still get my accumulated cashback? Do I have to call close to the end of the year and work on it with CIBC?