More work: - cancel the card because yearly fee. - pay tax on churned $. - shorten cumulative account age (lowers credit score).

I've done this... Not worth it. Focus on more important things.

One card with a yearly fee is probably worth it for the other benefits. Other than that, the traditional way is to downgrade it to a free card. Either way, it's fine if you think it doesn't make sense for you, but it's pretty much no-hidden-costs net positive, and that's why so many people actively churn.

I understand why. Semi-free money.

Invest in increasing your income instead. That's my recommendation. Long term thinking.

Can't you do both?

The older you get the more you realize how important it is to focus. Specifically long term.