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We have previously flagged a potentially good value way to earn SPG Starpoints – by eating and drinking at Starwood hotel restaurants.

Not only do you not need to actually be a guest at the hotel to earn points (unlike, for example, Hilton), you will also get a discount of up to 30% off your meal.

Another hotel loyalty scheme that offers you points when you dine, without needing you to actually be a guest, is Shangri-La’s Golden Circle. The added good news is that, if you register here, you will earn double points when you dine on Monday to Friday up until 30 June 2016. Accordingly, you will earn 2 Golden Circle points per US$1 spent, rather than the ordinary two. 

The offer is limited to “participating restaurants”, which you can find here. You may roll your eyes a touch at this, but the number of restaurants involved, globally, appears to be pretty generous (the three restaurants at London’s Shard – Lang, Ting Lounge and Gong – are included, for example).

But what use are Golden Circle points to me?

Well they’re actually pretty useful. Not only can you redeem your Shangri-La Golden Circle points for stays and dining  (500 Golden Circle points gets you a US$50 dining voucher), you can also convert them to a wide range of airline miles, generally at a 1:1 ratio (but see the chart on this page for specific conversion rates).

British Airways Executive Club, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Etihad Guest, American AAdvantage and Lufthansa Miles&More are all included at a 1:1 ratio, for example.

If you’re not already a member, you can sign up to Golden Circle here.