However, Silver with Marriott basically gives you nothing.

I like SPG Gold, which comes with AmEx Plat or Centurion IIRC, or the similar SPG Preferred Plus (???) which comes with AAA. Both give 4 pm checkout guarantees (except at resorts and convention properties) and preferred rooms within the same category, but Gold now gives a welcome amenity of a few points, a drink, or internet IIRC. Gold might also give more points.