Originally Posted by ArizonaGuy

Any miles earning activity from the partner suffices (the only caveat being a SPG "stay" requires 100 miles minimum since there's a way to get less just by ordering a beer and not staying there). A typical car rental or a typical hotel stay that earns miles is fine.

The wine clubs - I joined one last year. $10, got some cheap wine, canceled membership. Had to keep begging for miles but they finally showed.

The other wine club - many of us bought a cheap product from the website without joining the club. It said X miles per $1 and didn't say club membership required. However, we had to fight to get those miles since the club didn't want to award miles since we hadn't joined.