Starwood Preferred Guest - Bonus Points for SPG AMEX?

With the SPG AMEX is a 'stay' actually required to get the bonus sign up points or will eating at at a Starwood hotel's restaurant or even buying something from the gift shop meet the requirement for this purpose?

With the SPG AMEX is a 'stay' actually required to get the bonus sign up points or will eating at at a Starwood hotel's restaurant or even buying something from the gift shop meet the requirement for this purpose?

Officially, you need a stay. However, depending on how the restaurant purchase is coded, sometimes you get a bonus for that also.

Officially, you need a stay. However, depending on how the restaurant purchase is coded, sometimes you get a bonus for that also.

Thanks for the help. I'll try a meal at the 4 points in Cologne and see what happens. I actually wanted to stay there but they're already booked for the Memorial day weekend.

Would I have a better chance of getting the right coding at the hotel bistro or the hotel bar?

Thanks for the help. I'll try a meal at the 4 points in Cologne and see what happens. I actually wanted to stay there but they're already booked for the Memorial day weekend.

Would I have a better chance of getting the right coding at the hotel bistro or the hotel bar?

I may be getting my bonuses mixed up, but I believe William at one time confirmed that you would get this bonus as long as you spent $10 at an eligible *wood restaurant. (I'm sure spending $10 in Europe at a restaurant will be no problem at all!)