Assuming you get comped gold status by calling Marriott after a few stays:

5 pts per $ for Premier Card + 30,000-50,000 signup bonus
10 pts per $ for staying
3 pts per $ for gold status bonus

= 138,000-158,000 pts, good for an all inclusive 5 night stay to 4 resorts

Currently I'm using the Marriott card for business trips in general and any air/hotel cost, using CitiForward for restaurants as it nets 5pts/$

Best deal is to buy the gift cards at the end of the year when they are offering an additional 10pts/$. Then pay any hotel stays with the cards netting 28pts+/$ with status.