Hi,

I read that dining at a Starwood Hotel restaurant for $10 or more will earn you some sort of credit. Whether it is credited as an actual stay or just points, I'm not clear on. If it is credited as a stay, so does that mean if I have 10 dines at Starwood restaurants, I get Gold status?

I frequent Scott's Seafood and Grill next to the Westin South Coast in Costa Mesa, CA. Out of curiosity, I called them up and asked if they are part of the Westin South Coast. They said they are NOT part of the hotel, but hotel guests can bill to their room. The person on the phone did not know anything about SPG points.

So, my two questions are:
1) What type of credit exactly does a dine of $10 or more at a Starwood restaurant get you?
2) If anybody is familiar with Scott's Seafood and Grill, is it a participating Starwood restaurant?

Thanks!
Steve