Can one earn points in a hotel restaurant by presenting a frequent stay program card, without actually staying in the hotel?

You generally have to be registered to earn the points. I have not done this, but I have heard of people "registering" just to eat and earn the points. I am not sure how it works, maybe you have to be a good friend of the Desk Clerk.

I don't think most of the restaurants have a way to credit your points unless it is billed to a room.

I don't know about other programs, but with Starwood you can definitely earn points without staying at the hotel or registering. Just did it recently at Kapalua Bay Hotel on Maui.

I've done it in the lovely bars in the W hotels (for SPG points.)

How? By showing your card/giving it with the bill?

Did you get stay credit? http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gleff:
How? By showing your card/giving it with the bill?

Did you get stay credit? http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/biggrin.gif</font>

1) Yes, show SPG membership card. Get receipt.

2) No, no stay credit.

I think DC has a couple 3 restaurants that do not give SPG points. They are supposed to be leased in a manner that they are really unconnected to Starwood.