That can be done. Marriott bases status solely on nights stayed. I would recommend that your husband pick up a Marriott Premier Visa. That will give him 15 nights elite credit each year, a category 1-4 standard free night (category 1-5 upon each anniversary), 25,000 bonus points, and a 2-for-1 golf certificate. This card would probably put him close enough for gold after checkout, which will get him lounge access/free continental breakfast (at FS properties lacking a lounge, excluding resort properties), free local calls and 15 pages/day of outgoing domestic faxes (at mid-service properties), and the EEO available to gold/platinum members (buy one get one free on weekend nights at select properties (mostly US but a few nice overseas ones) and buy one get one free dinner (almost all US properties with some notable exclusions).

The EEOs are given out 3 times a year. You can use one copy that is mailed and print another copy online to use for each available offer.