Award flights from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco
Award space from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco
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AwardTool saw award space on 3 airport pairs between Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and San Francisco (SFO, OAK, SJC) in the last 30 days. Lowest economy: 7,000 miles + $5.60 on ORD–SFO (American Airlines AAdvantage). Lowest business class: 38,000 miles + $5.60 on ORD–SFO (American Airlines AAdvantage); mixed cabin from 30,000 miles + $5.60 on ORD–SFO (United MileagePlus).
Prices observed – .
Page regenerated from the Nov 12, 2026 data snapshot (normally daily). Summary last changed . Seats change quickly.
- Lowest economy
- 7,000 pts + $5.60
- ORD–SFO · AAdvantage
- Lowest premium economy
- 84,900 pts + taxes not reported
- ORD–SFO · Smiles
- Lowest business class
- 38,000 pts + $5.60
- ORD–SFO · AAdvantage · mixed cabin from 30,000 pts + $5.60 on ORD–SFO (MileagePlus)
- Lowest first class
- 25,000 pts + $5.60
- ORD–SFO · AAdvantage
Economy was lowest on ORD–SFO: 7,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage. The lowest on another airport pair was 7,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage on ORD–SJC. With American Airlines AAdvantage, business class started at 38,000 miles + $5.60, about 5.4 times the points of its lowest economy award (7,000 miles + $5.60).
Compare programs by cabin
The lowest one-way award each program showed in each cabin, sorted by points.
Economy
Lowest economy from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco on points: 7,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage on ORD–SFO (seen on 324 dates).
| Program | Points + taxes | Airports | Dates seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines AAdvantageLowest observed | 7,000 pts + $5.60 | ORD–SFO | 324 |
| Delta SkyMiles | 9,800 pts + $5.60 | ORD–SFO | 43 |
| Alaska Atmos Rewards | 12,500 pts + $5.60 | ORD–SFO | 321 |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 14,500 pts + taxes not reported | ORD–SFO | 38 |
| United MileagePlus | 15,000 pts + $5.60 | ORD–SFO | 330 |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 15,000 pts + $5.60 | ORD–SFO | 305 |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 15,600 pts + $11.20 | ORD–SFO | 27 |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 17,500 pts + $19.48 | ORD–SFO | 32 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 17,500 pts + $32.94 | ORD–SJC | 10 |
| Virgin Australia Velocity | 19,000 pts + $9.53 | ORD–SFO | 277 |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 20,700 pts + $5.60 | ORD–SFO | 273 |
| Etihad Guest | 23,000 pts + $30.93 | ORD–SFO | 18 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 26,000 pts + $5.60 | ORD–SFO | 23 |
| GOL Smiles | 39,800 pts + taxes not reported | ORD–SFO | 327 |
Premium Economy
Lowest premium economy from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco on points: 84,900 miles + taxes not reported with GOL Smiles on ORD–SFO (seen on 4 dates).
Business Class
Lowest business class from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco on points: 38,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage on ORD–SFO (seen on 315 dates).
| Program | Points + taxes | Airports | Dates seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| United MileagePlusLowest, mixed cabin | 30,000 pts + $5.60Mixed cabin | ORD–SFO | 82 |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | 38,000 pts + $5.60 | ORD–SFO | 315 |
| Etihad Guest | 40,000 pts + $42.40 | ORD–SFO | 15 |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 43,600 pts + $5.60 | ORD–SFO | 290 |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 52,500 pts + $38.35 | ORD–OAK | 7 |
| GOL Smiles | 71,200 pts + taxes not reportedMixed cabin | ORD–SFO | 306 |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 175,000 pts + taxes not reportedMixed cabin | ORD–SFO | 1 |
First Class
Lowest first class from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco on points: 25,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage on ORD–SFO (seen on 324 dates).
| Program | Points + taxes | Airports | Dates seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines AAdvantageLowest observed | 25,000 pts + $5.60 | ORD–SFO | 324 |
| Alaska Atmos Rewards | 25,000 pts + $25.60 | ORD–SFO | 321 |
| United MileagePlus | 30,000 pts + $5.60Mixed cabin | ORD–SFO | 330 |
| Virgin Australia Velocity | 37,500 pts + $13.77 | ORD–SFO | 2 |
| Delta SkyMiles | 43,300 pts + $5.60 | ORD–SFO | 43 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 87,500 pts + $11.20 | ORD–SFO | 3 |
| GOL Smiles | 207,000 pts + taxes not reportedMixed cabin | ORD–SFO | 1 |
Not seen means AwardTool hasn't observed this cabin on this route in the last 30 days. It doesn't mean the airline has no seats.
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco at a glance
- From
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
- To
- San Francisco (SFO, OAK, SJC)
- Programs with award space seen
- 14 of 17 programs tracked on this route
- Nonstop award space seen
- Yes, in economy, business class and first class, via American Airlines AAdvantage, Air Canada Aeroplan, Alaska Atmos Rewards, Avianca LifeMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Etihad Guest, GOL Smiles, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, United MileagePlus and Virgin Australia Velocity
- Airlines seen on these awards
- American Airlines (AA), Alaska Airlines (AS), JetBlue (B6), Delta Air Lines (DL), Qatar Airways (QR), United Airlines (UA)
- Departures with open awards
- Nov 2026 to Oct 2027
- Latest departure with space
- Observation window
- Awards observed in the last 30 days
- Distance
- 1,825–1,842 miles (2,937–2,964 km) between the airports, great-circle
- Destination guide
- Award flights to San Francisco
Compare airports
Lowest one-way award AwardTool observed on each airport pair between Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and San Francisco, with the program and the number of departure dates seen.
| Airports | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco (SFO) | 7,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 324 dates | 84,900 pts + taxes not reportedSmiles · 4 dates | 30,000 pts + $5.60MileagePlus · 82 dates · Mixed cabin | 25,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 324 dates |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Oakland (OAK) | 12,500 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 21 dates | — | 52,500 pts + $38.35Flying Blue · 7 dates | 25,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 21 dates |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Jose (SJC) | 7,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 48 dates | — | 56,875 pts + $51.65Flying Blue · 6 dates | 25,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 48 dates |
Not seen means AwardTool hasn't observed this cabin on this route in the last 30 days. It doesn't mean the airline has no seats.
Prices are one-way per traveler: the program's points or miles plus taxes and carrier fees in USD, as AwardTool observed them in the observation window. Award space changes constantly. A seat we saw may be gone, and space we haven't seen may exist. Always confirm with a live search before transferring points; most transfers can't be reversed.
Lowest observed by cabin, Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco
- Economy: 7,000 miles + $5.60 on Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco (SFO) with American Airlines AAdvantage, which showed economy award space there on 324 dates.
- Premium Economy: 84,900 miles on Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco (SFO) with GOL Smiles, which showed premium economy award space there on 4 dates.
- Business Class: 38,000 miles + $5.60 on Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco (SFO) with American Airlines AAdvantage, which showed business-class award space there on 315 dates; mixed cabin from 30,000 miles + $5.60 on ORD–SFO (United MileagePlus).
- First Class: 25,000 miles + $5.60 on Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco (SFO) with American Airlines AAdvantage, which showed first-class award space there on 324 dates.
Observed award examples
| Departure | Cabin | Airports | Program | Points + taxes | Seats | Stops | Observed (UTC) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ORD–SFO | Delta SkyMiles | 9,800 pts + $5.60 | 9+ | 1 stop | Check this date | ||
| Economy | ORD–SFO | Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 14,500 pts + taxes not reported | 7 | Nonstop | Check this date | ||
| Premium Economy | ORD–SFO | Delta SkyMiles | 93,800 pts + $5.60 | 8 | 1 stop | Check this date | ||
| Business | ORD–SFO | United MileagePlus | 30,000 pts + $5.60Mixed cabin | 2 | 1 stop | Check this date | ||
| Business | ORD–SFO | Etihad Guest | 40,000 pts + $42.40 | 7 | Nonstop | Check this date | ||
| First | ORD–SFO | American Airlines AAdvantage | 25,000 pts + $5.60 | 3 | 1 stop | Check this date | ||
| First | ORD–SFO | Alaska Atmos Rewards | 25,000 pts + $25.60 | 9+ | Nonstop | Check this date | ||
| First | ORD–SFO | Virgin Australia Velocity | 37,500 pts + $13.77 | 3 | 1 stop | Check this date |
Prices are one-way per traveler: the program's points or miles plus taxes and carrier fees in USD, as AwardTool observed them in the observation window. Award space changes constantly. A seat we saw may be gone, and space we haven't seen may exist. Always confirm with a live search before transferring points; most transfers can't be reversed.
Nonstop award space
- Economy: nonstop from 7,000 miles + $5.60 via American Airlines AAdvantage on ORD–SFO, which showed nonstop space there on 324 dates (11 programs had nonstop space).
- Business class: nonstop from 40,000 miles + $42.40 via Etihad Guest on ORD–SFO, which showed nonstop space there on 15 dates (3 programs had nonstop space).
- First class: nonstop from 25,000 points + $25.60 via Alaska Atmos Rewards on ORD–SFO, which showed nonstop space there on 284 dates (3 programs had nonstop space).
Best months to fly from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco on points
Each month shows the lowest award seen across the 3 airport pairs, with that program's open dates on the airport pair behind it.
| Month | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,800 pts + $5.60 (15 dates)SkyMiles | 94,300 pts + $5.60 (4 dates)SkyMiles | 30,000 pts + $5.60 (16 dates)MileagePlus · Mixed cabin | 25,000 pts + $5.60 (19 dates)AAdvantage | |
| 9,800 pts + $5.60 (9 dates)SkyMiles | 93,800 pts + $5.60 (3 dates)SkyMiles | 30,000 pts + taxes not reported (10 dates)MileagePlus · Mixed cabin | 25,000 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage | |
| 7,000 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage | 84,900 pts + taxes not reported (1 date)Smiles | 40,000 pts + taxes not reported (1 date)Etihad Guest | 25,000 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage | |
| 7,000 pts + taxes not reported (28 dates)AAdvantage | 84,900 pts + taxes not reported (2 dates)Smiles | 40,000 pts + taxes not reported (1 date)Etihad Guest | 25,000 pts + taxes not reported (28 dates)AAdvantage | |
| 10,000 pts + taxes not reported (4 dates)AAdvantage | 100,000 pts + taxes not reported (13 dates)MileagePlus | 30,000 pts + taxes not reported (9 dates)MileagePlus · Mixed cabin | 25,000 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)Atmos | |
| 12,500 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage | 100,000 pts + taxes not reported (8 dates)MileagePlus | 30,000 pts + taxes not reported (5 dates)MileagePlus · Mixed cabin | 25,000 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage | |
| 11,000 pts + taxes not reported (2 dates)AAdvantage | 100,000 pts + taxes not reported (5 dates)MileagePlus | 40,000 pts + taxes not reported (1 date)Etihad Guest | 25,000 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage | |
| 12,500 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage | 100,000 pts + taxes not reported (1 date)MileagePlus | 39,000 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage | 25,000 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage | |
| 12,500 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage | — | 43,600 pts + taxes not reported (26 dates)Qantas | 25,000 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage | |
| 12,500 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage | 100,000 pts + taxes not reported (14 dates)MileagePlus | 40,000 pts + taxes not reported (1 date)Etihad Guest | 25,000 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage | |
| 12,500 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage | 100,000 pts + taxes not reported (9 dates)MileagePlus | 38,000 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage | 25,000 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage | |
| 14,500 pts + taxes not reported (1 date)Privilege Club | 100,000 pts + taxes not reported (1 date)MileagePlus | 66,500 pts + taxes not reported (2 dates)AAdvantage | 38,000 pts + taxes not reported (2 dates)AAdvantage |
A month's taxes are those of an award AwardTool recorded at that month's lowest price for a departure that month. “Taxes not reported” means the data has none for that month; the award still has taxes and fees.
Points that transfer to these programs
| Program | Amex | Bilt | Capital One | Chase | Citi | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 · Instant | 1:1 · Instant | 1:1 · Instant | 1:1 · Instant | 1:1 · Instant | 1:1 · Instant |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | — | — | — | — | 1:1 · Instant | — |
| United MileagePlus | — | 1:1 · Instant | — | 1:1 · Instant | — | — |
Check current transfer bonuses. Most transfers can't be reversed. AwardTool's list has no transfers from these US card programs to GOL Smiles.
Questions about Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco award flights
Which airports had the lowest award prices from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco?
In business class, ORD–SFO with 38,000 miles + $5.60 (American Airlines AAdvantage); mixed cabin from 30,000 miles + $5.60 on ORD–SFO (United MileagePlus). In economy, ORD–SFO with 7,000 miles + $5.60 (American Airlines AAdvantage). Prices are the lowest AwardTool observed in the last 30 days; search live before transferring points.
Which airport pairs between Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and San Francisco had award space?
ORD–SFO (economy, premium economy, business class and first class), ORD–OAK (economy, business class and first class) and ORD–SJC (economy, business class and first class). Airport pairs not listed had no award space AwardTool observed in the last 30 days.
How many points does it take to fly from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco?
The lowest economy award AwardTool has seen was 7,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage. American Airlines AAdvantage showed economy award space on 324 departure dates at any price (newest observation Nov 12, 2026, 05:31 UTC). The lowest business-class award AwardTool has seen was 38,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage. Seen Nov 9, 2026, 19:58 UTC for a Dec 12, 2026 departure. American Airlines AAdvantage showed business-class award space on 315 departure dates at any price (newest observation Nov 12, 2026, 04:36 UTC). A mixed-cabin itinerary, with part of the trip in a lower cabin, was seen from 30,000 miles + $5.60 with United MileagePlus. Search live before transferring points.
Which loyalty programs had award space from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco?
14 programs in the last 30 days: American Airlines AAdvantage (economy 324 dates, business class 315 dates, first class 324 dates); Air Canada Aeroplan (economy 10 dates); Alaska Atmos Rewards (economy 321 dates, first class 321 dates); Avianca LifeMiles (economy 305 dates); JetBlue TrueBlue (economy 27 dates); Delta SkyMiles (economy 43 dates, premium economy 9 dates, first class 43 dates); Etihad Guest (economy 18 dates, business class 15 dates); GOL Smiles (economy 327 dates, premium economy 4 dates, business class 306 dates, first class 1 date) and 6 more. Dates count departure dates with an open award.
Can you fly nonstop from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco on points?
Yes. AwardTool observed nonstop award space in economy, business class and first class, bookable via American Airlines AAdvantage, Air Canada Aeroplan, Alaska Atmos Rewards, Avianca LifeMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Etihad Guest, GOL Smiles, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, United MileagePlus and Virgin Australia Velocity. The lowest nonstop award in economy was 7,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage.
How much are taxes and fees on award flights from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco?
Taxes and fees on each program's lowest award ranged in economy from $5.60 with AAdvantage (7,000 miles + $5.60) to $32.94 with Aeroplan (17,500 points + $32.94); in business class from $5.60 with MileagePlus (30,000 miles + $5.60 on a mixed-cabin itinerary) to $42.40 with Etihad Guest (40,000 miles + $42.40). Qatar Airways Privilege Club did not report taxes for its lowest economy award. GOL Smiles did not report taxes for its lowest economy and business-class awards. Amounts are one way per traveler in USD and can differ on other dates and routings.
Which credit card points can book awards from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco?
American Express Membership Rewards: Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1), Avianca LifeMiles (1:1), JetBlue TrueBlue (5:4), Delta SkyMiles (1:1), Air France/KLM Flying Blue (1:1), Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1), Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1), Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1). Bilt Rewards: Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1), Alaska Atmos Rewards (1:1), Avianca LifeMiles (1:1), JetBlue TrueBlue (1:1), Etihad Guest (1:1), Air France/KLM Flying Blue (1:1), Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1), United MileagePlus (1:1), Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1). Capital One Miles: Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1), Avianca LifeMiles (1:1), JetBlue TrueBlue (5:3), Etihad Guest (1:1), Air France/KLM Flying Blue (1:1), Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1), Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1), Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1). Chase Ultimate Rewards: Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1), JetBlue TrueBlue (1:1), Air France/KLM Flying Blue (1:1), United MileagePlus (1:1), Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1). Citi ThankYou Points: American Airlines AAdvantage (1:1), Avianca LifeMiles (1:1), JetBlue TrueBlue (1:1), Etihad Guest (1:1), Air France/KLM Flying Blue (1:1), Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1), Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1), Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1). Wells Fargo Rewards: Avianca LifeMiles (1:1), JetBlue TrueBlue (1:1), Air France/KLM Flying Blue (1:1), Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1). These are US card programs; ratios come from AwardTool's transfer partner list. Check current bonuses first.
What's the best month to fly from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco on points?
Counting only month prices from programs with award space on 2 or more dates that month, and leaving out unusually low outliers: in economy, the lowest award was for Jan 2027 departures, 7,000 miles + taxes not reported with AAdvantage (31 dates); in business class, the lowest award was for Dec 2026 departures, 38,000 miles + $5.60 with AAdvantage (31 dates), and a mixed-cabin itinerary was seen for Nov 2026 departures from 30,000 miles + $5.60 with MileagePlus. The month table shows every lowest price, including those. Based on dates we observed, not a forecast.
When do award seats open for flights from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to San Francisco?
Booking windows before departure published by the programs with award space here (AwardTool's program data, reviewed Nov 6, 2026): Qatar Airways Privilege Club about 361 days, Avianca LifeMiles about 360 days, Air France/KLM Flying Blue about 359 days and 9 other programs. AwardTool saw award space on this route for departures as late as Oct 7, 2027; seats can open earlier or later, and released seats may already be booked. See award release dates by program.