Travel to San Francisco: Save More on Your Bay Area Trip Using Points And Miles

If you've ever had a dream to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island or Fisherman's Wharf now is the time. Despite inflation causing higher travel prices in many other cities, visiting San Francisco in 2024 is surprisingly affordable.

In 2019 (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic), more than 26 million visitors came to San Francisco. But in 2023, just 23.1 million people arrived, according to SF Travel, signaling that the city's tourism industry has never recovered since the pandemic. While 2023's figures are a 5.2% increase over 2022 figures, it's clear that tourism in San Francisco is nowhere near what it used to be.

While that's bad news for businesses that depend on tourists, it's good news for tourists trying to nab a deal as businesses offer discounts on tours and hotels slash rates.

After all, San Francisco hotel occupancy rates are relatively low. For example, in March 2024, San Francisco hotel occupancy rates were at just 64%, versus 85% for New York City and 73% for Los Angeles, according to data from the City and County of San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

And for what it's worth, San Francisco is still very much a tourism-oriented city. The leisure & hospitality industry was the second-largest source of employment in San Francisco in the third quarter of 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

If you're looking to visit San Francisco — or nearby San Francisco day trips such as the Napa Valley and Sonoma County wine regions, near Muir Woods National Monument (a legendary redwood forest), Berkeley, Oakland, Carmel or Monterey — then now makes for an excellent time to visit while paying less than you might otherwise.

Plus, you can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket travel expenses by planning your San Francisco trip with points and miles. With two major airports and hundreds of hotels to choose from, there are lots of options for getting to San Francisco affordably.

Here's what you need to know about planning a trip to San Francisco:

Most travelers flying to San Francisco will fly to and from San Francisco International Airport, which is about 14 miles away from the city center.

But, don't overlook San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. Though it's about 20 miles away from the city center, it can sometimes be a faster journey — particularly if you're driving via car and there's traffic heading south.

San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is by far the bigger of the two airports, and it's also the more modern of the two. In fact, it's California's second-busiest airport beyond Los Angeles International Airport. SFO serves more than 30 international carriers and connects non-stop with 75 U.S. cities across 12 domestic airlines.

If you have a layover or just generally a lot of time, spending time at SFO is actually quite a delight.

It stands out for its SFO Museum, which is the only AAM-accredited museum at an airport. There are tons of local food options such as Boudin Bakery (home of the famous San Francisco sourdough bread bowl), Amy's Drive Thru (a staple for vegan-friendly comfort food) and San Francisco coffee classic Ritual Coffee.

If you're a fan of airport lounges, SFO has no shortage of them. Though not a complete list of all the SFO airport lounges, here are some of the best:

• Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge at SFO.

• Air France Lounge at SFO.

• Alaska Lounge at SFO.

• AmEx Centurion Lounge at SFO.

• Emirates Lounge at SFO.

• Priority Pass lounges at SFO.

SFO has undergone some significant expansions as of late, including its Harvey Milk Terminal 1, which opened in three phases beginning in July 2019, with the debut of nine departure gates.

The third and final phase completed in June 2024. With that, Alaska Airlines moved to the new Harvey Milk Terminal 1, bringing with it high-tech features like automated bag tag and drop stations.

That phase also added a new post-security connector, finally making every single gate at SFO accessible post-security. That makes things massively more convenient for travelers who need to connect to flights on other airports (or who just want to access one of those aforementioned lounges).

San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport

Unlike the bustling SFO, Oakland International Airport (OAK) offers a more relaxed (albeit somewhat outdated) travel experience.

Since it's so much smaller, navigating OAK can be much easier. That said, don't expect the extensive shopping, dining and lounge options found at SFO.

Getting from the airport into San Francisco

There are all sorts of was to get from either airport to your final destination.

BART (public transit): If you're riding public transportation, your best bet is to hop on the train system called BART, which stands for Bay Area Rapid Transit.

BART stations are located directly within both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK). Trains run frequently (about every 10 minutes, though it can be more or less depending on time of date), whisking you to downtown San Francisco in about 30 minutes.

Simply follow signs for BART at the airport, purchase a ticket from a machine, and hop on a train bound for any of the downtown San Francisco stations.

Though, there are some drawbacks. Tickets aren't cheap (expect to pay more than $10, though exact prices vary depending on your final destination). In fact, it can be cheaper to go the rideshare route if traveling with a group given the high BART fares.

And, BART trains don't run 24/7, instead taking a hiatus from about midnight until early morning — so don't count on BART if you have a super late or super early flight.

Ride shares: Both Uber and Lyft operate out of both airports. You can also hail a taxi.

Follow the designated ride share pickup areas at the airports, then request a ride through the Lyft or Uber app, and your driver will meet you at the designated zone.

Fares can fluctuate depending on demand, so checking pricing estimates beforehand is recommended. And note that Bay Area traffic is very real. If traveling during peak commuting hours, BART might actually be faster given it's a train on a designated track — and isn't subject to road traffic.

Rental cars: Both airports also have rental car facilities with the major rental car companies. But, think twice before renting a car for your San Francisco vacation. The city itself is ultra-walkable and public transit-friendly.

For spots that aren't walkable, it's easy to hail a Lyft or Uber. Those who prefer to ride in a car without a driver could even hail a Waymo, which is the driverless car company formerly known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project.

Another reason to ditch the rental car in San Francisco? The city is notorious for car break-ins, and leaving any valuables in sight, even in seemingly safe areas, can lead to a shattered window and a stolen bag.

Parking is another challenge. Spaces are scarce and expensive, and navigating San Francisco's steep hills and one-way streets can be tricky.

If you do need a rental car (let's say you want to take a day trip to north to Napa or south to Monterey), you might be better off renting one by the hour or day. Services like Kyte will even deliver a rental car directly to you, which you can use on an hourly basis. Getaround is a peer-to-peer car rental service (sort of like Airbnb for cars) and has massive availability in San Francisco.

» Learn more: The beginner's guide to points and miles

Best points and miles for cheap flights to San Francisco

SFO is United Airlines' fifth-largest hub and its primary transpacific gateway. It's the second-largest hub for Alaska Airlines. Given that, expect to find high availability for both airlines.

Southwest Airlines travelers are more likely to find availability at Oakland International Airport, where it has a hub. In fact, Terminal 2 at OAK is dedicated to Southwest. There, expect affordable flights to Hawaii from the Bay Area.

From big chain hotels to boutique properties, there are roughly 250 hotels in San Francisco, offering up more than 35,000 hotel rooms.

With that comes several lodging options to book with points in San Francisco.

The best San Francisco Hyatt hotels

Booking a Hyatt hotel with points is a popular choice among award travelers because the chain has no blackout dates and waives resort fees on award bookings. There’s a good selection of Hyatt hotels in different parts of San Francisco, including near the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Union Square and the Financial District.

Here are some standout Hyatt hotels in San Francisco:

If you want a memorable property in a great location: Hyatt Regency San Francisco

The Hyatt Regency San Francisco originally opened in 1973, though it underwent a massive rennovation to celebrate its 50th anniversary, which was completed in May 2024.

The property, which was designed by brutalist architect John Portman, is considered an architectural marvel. Its 42,000 square-foot lobby holds the Guinness World Record for largest hotel lobby in the world.

If you hold the highest tier World of Hyatt elite status, Globalist, then don't miss the San Francisco Hyatt Regency Club. This club is one of the most unique in the world, in that it sits at the top floor of the building, which actually rotates periodically throughout the day. Beyond the trippy rotating experience, the club stands out for fresh, locally-sourced complimentary food and unparalleled panoramic views of the city and San Francisco Bay. Even without elite status, hotel guests can access the must-visit club for an additional fee.

If you're traveling for business: Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA

That's not the only hotel in the Hyatt Regency brand to have an outpost in San Francisco. Less than a mile away, you'll find the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA.

While both Hyatt Regency properties are located in downtown San Francisco, they serve different clientele. The Downtown SOMA one is ideal for business travelers given that it's just steps away from The Moscone Center convention complex. Plus, being it in SOMA — which is a key neighborhood for the city's myriad tech startups — adds to the prime location.

If you want a charming, boutique: The Laurel Inn

If you like boutique-style properties, redeem your World of Hyatt points for a stay at the Laurel Inn, which is located within San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood. Though it's pretty far out from key tourist attractions including Pier 39, Union Square and downtown, it's a short walk from Golden Gate Park.

This hotel is best for travelers seeking a quieter atmosphere outside of the standard tourist areas.

It's also one of the best hotels for pets in San Francisco. Pups are offered complimentary dog bowls and beds. And, its hotel pet fee is relatively low at just $25 per stay (assuming a 1-3 night stay).

Cost to book in points: Off-peak rooms start at 17,000 points per night at this Category 5 World of Hyatt hotel. Standard rooms on a standard award night run 20,000 points. NerdWallet values Hyatt points at 2.2 cents per point.

How to earn Hyatt points: You can earn Hyatt points for free stays with the World of Hyatt Credit Card or by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.

The best San Francisco Marriott hotels

There are more than 100 Marriott hotels within the greater San Francisco area, so using Marriott points gives myriad most options for booking an award stay.

The best luxury hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco occupies a neoclassical building from 1909, perched atop one of the city's many hills — this one Nob Hill (which is one of the city's most prestigious neighborhoods).

Guest rooms boast luxurious comfort — and most entail prime city views.

While the hotel itself exudes a sense of sophisticated charm, its location places you near the action, with just steps away. And though it's high up a hill, the location is actually ideal for most travelers. It borders a cable car line, which takes you to Union Square's bustling shops and world-class restaurants on one side, and the iconic Fisherman's Wharf on the other side.

And if you'd rather just hole up in the hotel, you can do that too. The 336-room hotel houses its signature restaurant, The Lounge.

In summer, the hotel's outdoor patio is just as popular with locals as it is with tourists, thanks to the annual Solaire Terrasse pop-up. Held in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot, diners bask on plush chairs under yellow and white umbrellas to sip on champagne, or nosh on fancy eats like lobster and caviar. The real treat, though, is the first-of-its-kind Veuve Clicquot-inspired zero proof sorbet which was created exclusively for The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.

For an iconic (and historical) experience: Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco

The Palace Hotel, a property that originally opened in 1875 as the largest luxury hotel in the world, is a landmark historic hotel in downtown San Francisco. It's gorgeous, and — perhaps unsurprising given its age — the hotel is full of history. Today, you can see a pair of throne chairs in the lobby. Those thrones belonged to King David Kalākaua, the last king of Hawaii. In fact, he visited the Palace Hotel often — and he died at the hotel on January 20, 1891.

And even though the property is old, it won't feel outdated. It underwent a significant restoration in 1989, and yet another major renovation in 2015.

It’s also practical for tourists, given its prime location. The Palace Hotel is located on the city's main thoroughfare, Market Street. And it's walking distance to Union Square and the Ferry Building Market on the Embarcadero.

Even if you're not actually staying at the hotel, it's worth popping in for a visit. Even locals love visiting the Garden Court on Saturday for a traditional high tea or on Sunday for an elegant brunch.

How to earn Marriott Bonvoy® points: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card comes with an attractive welcome bonus (see rates and fees): Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

If you want Gold elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program but don’t want to commit to a Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit card, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express, which comes with automatic Marriott Gold Status (enrollment required, see rates and fees). Plus, the card is currently offering the following welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. These points can transfer to the Marriott Bonvoy program at a 1:1 ratio.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Learning how to travel to San Francisco on points and miles can result in huge savings. With two airports in the area, there are many options for cheap flights to San Francisco with miles. If you prefer United Airlines, look for ways to save miles flying to San Francisco by booking through Star Alliance partner Singapore Airlines.

The major hotel chains, including Hyatt and Marriott, offer lots of choices for travelers looking to use points to save on hotel stays. Hyatt is always a popular choice with award travelers because it has no blackout dates and doesn't charge resort fees when you book with points.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.