My domain will only expire in year 2009. However, I wish to renew it to year 2012 or beyond. Please advise?

I am making this request to renew my domain well before its expiry date because I do not want to be bothered about having to update my credit card details every time my card is replaced or renewed. Also, I may forget to update my card details when I receive my new card. I may want to terminate my card during this period. I am aware that Yahoo will send reminders, but I do not check my email account very often and hence may even miss the Yahoo reiminders and this may render my domain being deleted.

I just want to be proactive rather than reactive.

Why don't you call the people that handle that for you and get them to renew it earlier?