Compare 6 loyalty programs for Los Angeles to San Francisco award flights, with economy seats from 88 points.
Los Angeles to San Francisco is a short-haul domestic route; nonstop award space turns up on four carriers, including United Airlines and Delta. Award pricing spans six programs, and economy starts at 88 points via Lufthansa Miles & More, on a United Airlines nonstop. Short flights reward points discipline: check the cash fare before redeeming, and save points for the days award pricing dips. The tables below compare LAX–SFO pricing across all six programs.
Best one-way award prices per airline over the next 12 months.
| Airline | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
 United AirlinesUA | 88Lowest | Not available | 30,000pts |
 DeltaDL | 3,900pts | 17,000Lowest | 15,700pts |
 American AirlinesAA | 4,500pts | 19,300pts | 9,000Lowest |
 Alaska AirlinesAS | 5,000pts | 21,000pts | 12,500pts |
When award seats between Los Angeles and San Francisco price cheapest over the next year.
| Month | Cheapest award (points) |
|---|---|
| Nov 2026 | 88 |
| Dec 2026 | 88 |
| Jan 2027 | 88 |
| Feb 2027 | 5,000 |
| Mar 2027 | 88 |
| Apr 2027 | 4,500 |
| May 2027 | No award data |
| Jun 2027 | No award data |
| Jul 2027 | No award data |
| Aug 2027 | No award data |
| Sep 2027 | No award data |
| Oct 2027 | No award data |
4 airlines with award seats between Los Angeles and San Francisco, nonstop or connecting.
American AirlinesAAAlaska AirlinesASDeltaDLUnited AirlinesUAWhat to know before booking Los Angeles to San Francisco with points.
About 340 miles, roughly 1h10 nonstop. San Francisco keeps the same clock as Los Angeles. Data covers November 2026–October 2027, with calendar prices for six months. Of the well-covered ones, November and December 2026 are the cheapest (88 points); pricier months include February 2027 (5,000).
Los Angeles to San Francisco is served by American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta and 1 more, offering multiple options for award travelers. Compare 6 loyalty programs to find the best value for your points. Award prices start from 88 points in economy. Use our search tool to check real-time award availability on this route.
At about 340 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), a nonstop runs roughly 1h10, give or take with the winds. Nonstop award space in the data comes from United Airlines, Delta, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. The Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-900, and Embraer 175 all appear on those nonstop award segments. About 61% of the award options in the data are nonstop, so a direct award is a realistic target.
Los Angeles–San Francisco is a domestic route, so the first question is whether to spend points at all. The economy floor is a partner booking on a United Airlines nonstop, with no connection to trade off against the points. Its $319 in taxes and fees is the catch, well above the route's typical economy taxes; more points and less cash can come out ahead. Points pay off here mainly when fares run high, so redeem then and pay cash otherwise.
Lufthansa Miles & More is cheapest in economy at 88 points on a United Airlines nonstop. Air France-KLM Flying Blue wins business class at 17,000 points on a Delta nonstop. Alaska Atmos Rewards takes first class at 9,000 points on an American Airlines nonstop. For a cross-check, Delta SkyMiles, Qantas Frequent Flyer, and United MileagePlus price the route too.
Four airlines show nonstop award space on Los Angeles–San Francisco: United Airlines (Star Alliance), Delta (SkyTeam), American Airlines (oneworld), and Alaska Airlines (oneworld). Partner programs in all three alliances can price a nonstop here, not just the carriers' own. The lowest business-class award here is a SkyTeam partner booking: the Delta nonstop through Air France-KLM Flying Blue. Only four airlines show award space here, but six programs sell their seats, so the program matters more than the carrier.
Ontario (ONT) and Orange County (SNA) also log nonstop flights to San Francisco in the data. The return, San Francisco to Los Angeles, has its own page, since award pricing can differ by direction. For another option from Los Angeles, Atlanta prices from 9,500 points at last check. Check airport codes before transferring points: Los Angeles awards can also leave from Burbank (BUR), and San Francisco awards can also land at San Jose (SJC).
Alternative corridors travelers consider alongside Los Angeles to San Francisco.
From 2,357 ptsBusiness 49,527 pts
From 4,000 ptsBusiness 15,000 pts
From 6,600 ptsBusiness 25,500 pts
From 7,000 ptsBusiness 14,500 pts
From 7,000 ptsBusiness 57,500 pts
From 7,300 ptsBusiness 55,200 pts
Common questions travelers ask about the Los Angeles to San Francisco route.
