You can also sign up for The Ritz-Carlton Visa Signature card. The annual fee is high, but you get Ritz-Carlton Rewards (also, Marriott Rewards) Gold status the first year and simply need to meet the minimum spend annually ($10,000) to keep Gold every year. The card does have some good benefits if you stay at Ritz-Carlton properties, but at minimum, it will ensure you have Gold with Marriott.

http://www.theritzcarltonrewardscard.com/