you should look into getting the premier visa card. you would get 5 points per $1 at marriot and 2 points per $1 on Air/Dining/Car rental.

20k bonus points
2 for 1 gold cert
free night cert 1-4

it would cost you $65 per year but the free night cert (cat 1-4) would be worth it. I thing it wil be a cat 1- 5 from second year

and you will get 15 nights credit every year towards your status.

here is a thread with more details and other experiences
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=529673