Award flights from San Francisco to Washington

Award space from San Francisco to Washington

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AwardTool saw award space on 9 airport pairs between San Francisco (SFO, OAK, SJC) and Washington (IAD, DCA, BWI) in the last 30 days. Lowest economy: 8,000 miles + $5.60 on SFO–IAD (American Airlines AAdvantage). Lowest business class: 32,500 miles + $5.60 on SFO–IAD (American Airlines AAdvantage); mixed cabin from 30,000 miles + $5.60 on SFO–DCA (United MileagePlus).

Prices observed – .

Page regenerated from the Nov 12, 2026 data snapshot (normally daily). Summary last changed . Seats change quickly.

Lowest economy
8,000 pts + $5.60
SFO–IAD · AAdvantage
Lowest premium economy
22,500 pts + $5.60
SJC–DCA · AAdvantage
Lowest business class
32,500 pts + $5.60
SFO–IAD · AAdvantage · mixed cabin from 30,000 pts + $5.60 on SFO–DCA (MileagePlus)
Lowest first class
18,500 pts + $11.20
SJC–IAD · AAdvantage

Economy was lowest on SFO–IAD: 8,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage. The lowest on another airport pair was 8,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage on SFO–DCA. With American Airlines AAdvantage, business class started at 32,500 miles + $5.60, about 4.1 times the points of its lowest economy award (8,000 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 San Francisco to Washington on points: 8,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage on SFO–IAD (seen on 319 dates).

ProgramPoints + taxesAirportsDates seen
American Airlines AAdvantageLowest observed8,000 pts + $5.60SFO–IAD319
Delta SkyMiles10,200 pts + $5.60SJC–IAD15
JetBlue TrueBlue10,300 pts + $5.60SFO–BWI23
Alaska Atmos Rewards12,500 pts + $5.60SFO–DCA325
United MileagePlus15,000 pts + $5.60SFO–DCA326
Avianca LifeMiles15,000 pts + $5.60SFO–IAD279
Qatar Airways Privilege Club16,000 pts + taxes not reportedSFO–DCA5
Air Canada Aeroplan17,500 pts + $33.16SFO–IAD258
Air France/KLM Flying Blue18,500 pts + $12.14SFO–DCA18
Qantas Frequent Flyer23,300 pts + $5.60SFO–IAD260
Virgin Australia Velocity23,500 pts + $9.46SFO–IAD264
Etihad Guest28,000 pts + $44.10SFO–DCA235
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club29,500 pts + $5.60SFO–IAD157
GOL Smiles48,200 pts + taxes not reportedSFO–BWI19

Premium Economy

Lowest premium economy from San Francisco to Washington on points: 22,500 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage on SJC–DCA (seen on 10 dates).

ProgramPoints + taxesAirportsDates seen
American Airlines AAdvantageLowest observed22,500 pts + $5.60SJC–DCA10
Delta SkyMiles66,700 pts + $5.60SFO–DCA186
Qantas Frequent Flyer69,900 pts + $5.60SFO–DCA33
United MileagePlus100,000 pts + $5.60SFO–DCA326
GOL Smiles386,100 pts + taxes not reportedSFO–DCA2

Business Class

Lowest business class from San Francisco to Washington on points: 32,500 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage on SFO–IAD (seen on 310 dates).

ProgramPoints + taxesAirportsDates seen
United MileagePlusLowest, mixed cabin30,000 pts + $5.60Mixed cabinSFO–DCA269
Avianca LifeMiles30,000 pts + $5.60SFO–IAD1
American Airlines AAdvantage32,500 pts + $5.60SFO–IAD310
Qatar Airways Privilege Club43,000 pts + taxes not reportedSFO–DCA1
Etihad Guest45,000 pts + $55.58Mixed cabinSFO–DCA237
Qantas Frequent Flyer52,800 pts + $5.60Mixed cabinSFO–IAD278
Virgin Australia Velocity58,000 pts + $111.39SFO–DCA1
Air France/KLM Flying Blue60,000 pts + $51.59SFO–BWI4
GOL Smiles85,300 pts + taxes not reportedMixed cabinSFO–DCA16

First Class

Lowest first class from San Francisco to Washington on points: 18,500 miles + $11.20 with American Airlines AAdvantage on SJC–IAD (seen on 45 dates).

ProgramPoints + taxesAirportsDates seen
American Airlines AAdvantageLowest observed18,500 pts + $11.20SJC–IAD45
Alaska Atmos Rewards30,000 pts + $5.60SFO–DCA325
Air Canada Aeroplan30,000 pts + $33.53SFO–IAD1
Delta SkyMiles45,500 pts + $5.60SJC–IAD15
United MileagePlus57,600 pts + $5.60SFO–BWI22

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.

San Francisco to Washington at a glance

From
San Francisco (SFO, OAK, SJC)
To
Washington (IAD, DCA, BWI)
Programs with award space seen
14 of 18 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, GOL Smiles, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, United MileagePlus and Virgin Australia Velocity
Airlines seen on these awards
American Airlines (AA), Air Canada (AC), Alaska Airlines (AS), JetBlue (B6), Delta Air Lines (DL), 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
2,394–2,451 miles (3,853–3,944 km) between the airports, great-circle
Destination guide
Award flights to Washington

Compare airports

Lowest one-way award AwardTool observed on each airport pair between San Francisco and Washington, with the program and the number of departure dates seen.

AirportsEconomyPremium EconomyBusinessFirst
San Francisco (SFO) to Washington Dulles (IAD)8,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 319 dates66,700 pts + $5.60SkyMiles · 15 dates30,000 pts + $5.60MileagePlus · 203 dates · Mixed cabin25,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 319 dates
San Francisco (SFO) to Washington National (DCA)8,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 309 dates66,700 pts + $5.60SkyMiles · 186 dates30,000 pts + $5.60MileagePlus · 269 dates · Mixed cabin25,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 309 dates
San Francisco (SFO) to Baltimore (BWI)8,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 67 dates—32,500 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 57 dates25,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 67 dates
Oakland (OAK) to Washington Dulles (IAD)12,500 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 20 dates——25,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 20 dates
Oakland (OAK) to Washington National (DCA)12,500 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 19 dates—141,500 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 2 dates25,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 19 dates
Oakland (OAK) to Baltimore (BWI)12,500 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 15 dates——25,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 15 dates
San Jose (SJC) to Washington Dulles (IAD)8,000 pts + $11.20AAdvantage · 45 dates—120,000 pts + $5.60MileagePlus · 2 dates · Mixed cabin18,500 pts + $11.20AAdvantage · 45 dates
San Jose (SJC) to Washington National (DCA)10,200 pts + $5.60SkyMiles · 12 dates22,500 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 10 dates120,000 pts + $5.60MileagePlus · 2 dates · Mixed cabin23,500 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 43 dates
San Jose (SJC) to Baltimore (BWI)12,500 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 34 dates—100,000 pts + $5.60MileagePlus · 5 dates · Mixed cabin25,000 pts + $5.60AAdvantage · 34 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, San Francisco to Washington

  • Economy: 8,000 miles + $5.60 on San Francisco (SFO) to Washington Dulles (IAD) with American Airlines AAdvantage, which showed economy award space there on 319 dates.
  • Premium Economy: 22,500 miles + $5.60 on San Jose (SJC) to Washington National (DCA) with American Airlines AAdvantage, which showed premium economy award space there on 10 dates.
  • Business Class: 32,500 miles + $5.60 on San Francisco (SFO) to Washington Dulles (IAD) with American Airlines AAdvantage, which showed business-class award space there on 310 dates; mixed cabin from 30,000 miles + $5.60 on SFO–DCA (United MileagePlus).
  • First Class: 18,500 miles + $11.20 on San Jose (SJC) to Washington Dulles (IAD) with American Airlines AAdvantage, which showed first-class award space there on 45 dates.

Observed award examples

Awards AwardTool observed for departures in the next 60 days (one way, per traveler)
DepartureCabinAirportsProgramPoints + taxesSeatsStopsObserved (UTC)
EconomySJC–IADAmerican Airlines AAdvantage8,500 pts + $11.20—1 stopCheck this date
EconomySFO–DCAAvianca LifeMiles15,000 pts + $5.609+NonstopCheck this date
Premium EconomySJC–DCAAmerican Airlines AAdvantage22,500 pts + $5.6022 stopsCheck this date
BusinessSFO–IADAvianca LifeMiles30,000 pts + $5.602NonstopCheck this date
FirstSFO–IADAir Canada Aeroplan30,000 pts + $33.531NonstopCheck this date
FirstSFO–IADAlaska Atmos Rewards35,000 pts + $25.6041 stopCheck this date
FirstSJC–DCADelta SkyMiles45,500 pts + $5.6061 stopCheck this date
FirstSFO–BWIUnited MileagePlus57,600 pts + $5.609+1 stopCheck 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 12,500 points + taxes vary via Alaska Atmos Rewards on SFO–DCA, which showed nonstop space there on 322 dates (10 programs had nonstop space).
  • Business class: nonstop from 73,400 points + taxes vary via Qantas Frequent Flyer on SFO–DCA, which showed nonstop space there on 3 dates (3 programs had nonstop space).
  • First class: nonstop from 25,000 miles + taxes vary via American Airlines AAdvantage on SFO–DCA, which showed nonstop space there on 292 dates (4 programs had nonstop space).

Best months to fly from San Francisco to Washington on points

Each month shows the lowest award seen across the 9 airport pairs, with that program's open dates on the airport pair behind it.

Lowest prices among the dates we observed, by departure month. A record, not a forecast.
MonthEconomyPremium EconomyBusinessFirst
10,000 pts + $5.60 (14 dates)AAdvantage22,500 pts + $5.60 (1 date)AAdvantage30,000 pts + $5.60 (19 dates)MileagePlus · Mixed cabin23,500 pts + $5.60 (11 dates)AAdvantage
8,500 pts + $11.20 (12 dates)AAdvantage22,500 pts + $5.60 (4 dates)AAdvantage30,000 pts + taxes not reported (26 dates)MileagePlus · Mixed cabin18,500 pts + $11.20 (12 dates)AAdvantage
8,000 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage22,500 pts + taxes not reported (3 dates)AAdvantage30,000 pts + taxes not reported (29 dates)MileagePlus · Mixed cabin18,500 pts + $11.20 (4 dates)AAdvantage
8,000 pts + taxes not reported (28 dates)AAdvantage22,500 pts + taxes not reported (1 date)AAdvantage32,500 pts + taxes not reported (28 dates)AAdvantage20,500 pts + taxes not reported (4 dates)AAdvantage
8,500 pts + taxes not reported (6 dates)AAdvantage22,500 pts + taxes not reported (1 date)AAdvantage32,500 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage20,000 pts + taxes not reported (6 dates)AAdvantage
11,000 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage75,100 pts + taxes not reported (20 dates)SkyMiles45,000 pts + taxes not reported (26 dates)Etihad Guest · Mixed cabin25,000 pts + taxes not reported (27 dates)AAdvantage
9,000 pts + taxes not reported (4 dates)AAdvantage70,500 pts + taxes not reported (15 dates)SkyMiles45,000 pts + taxes not reported (23 dates)Etihad Guest · Mixed cabin23,500 pts + taxes not reported (4 dates)AAdvantage
11,000 pts + taxes not reported (29 dates)AAdvantage90,100 pts + taxes not reported (15 dates)SkyMiles39,500 pts + taxes not reported (26 dates)AAdvantage25,000 pts + taxes not reported (29 dates)AAdvantage
11,000 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage75,100 pts + taxes not reported (16 dates)SkyMiles39,500 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage23,000 pts + taxes not reported (1 date)AAdvantage
11,000 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage70,500 pts + taxes not reported (15 dates)SkyMiles33,000 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage25,000 pts + taxes not reported (31 dates)AAdvantage
11,000 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage85,400 pts + taxes not reported (12 dates)SkyMiles32,500 pts + taxes not reported (27 dates)AAdvantage25,000 pts + taxes not reported (30 dates)AAdvantage
11,000 pts + taxes not reported (5 dates)AAdvantage100,000 pts + taxes not reported (3 dates)MileagePlus38,500 pts + taxes not reported (3 dates)AAdvantage32,500 pts + taxes not reported (5 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

US card points to program miles or points: ratio and typical transfer time
ProgramAmexBiltCapital OneChaseCitiWells Fargo
American Airlines AAdvantage————1:1 · Instant—
Delta SkyMiles1:1 · Instant—————
United MileagePlus—1:1 · Instant—1:1 · Instant——

Check current transfer bonuses. Most transfers can't be reversed.

Questions about San Francisco to Washington award flights

Which airports had the lowest award prices from San Francisco to Washington?

In business class, SFO–IAD with 32,500 miles + $5.60 (American Airlines AAdvantage); mixed cabin from 30,000 miles + $5.60 on SFO–DCA (United MileagePlus). In economy, SFO–IAD with 8,000 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 San Francisco and Washington had award space?

SFO–IAD (economy, premium economy, business class and first class), SFO–DCA (economy, premium economy, business class and first class), SFO–BWI (economy, business class and first class), OAK–IAD (economy and first class), OAK–DCA (economy, business class and first class), OAK–BWI (economy and first class), SJC–IAD (economy, business class and first class), SJC–DCA (economy, premium economy, business class and first class) and SJC–BWI (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 San Francisco to Washington?

The lowest economy award AwardTool has seen was 8,000 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage. American Airlines AAdvantage showed economy award space on 319 departure dates at any price (newest observation Nov 12, 2026, 10:27 UTC). The lowest business-class award AwardTool has seen was 32,500 miles + $5.60 with American Airlines AAdvantage. Seen Nov 10, 2026, 14:26 UTC for a Dec 7, 2026 departure. American Airlines AAdvantage showed business-class award space on 310 departure dates at any price (newest observation Nov 12, 2026, 10:27 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 San Francisco to Washington?

14 programs in the last 30 days: American Airlines AAdvantage (economy 319 dates, premium economy 10 dates, business class 310 dates, first class 45 dates); Air Canada Aeroplan (economy 258 dates, first class 1 date); Alaska Atmos Rewards (economy 325 dates, first class 325 dates); Avianca LifeMiles (economy 279 dates, business class 1 date); JetBlue TrueBlue (economy 23 dates); Delta SkyMiles (economy 15 dates, premium economy 186 dates, first class 15 dates); Etihad Guest (economy 235 dates, business class 237 dates); GOL Smiles (economy 19 dates, premium economy 2 dates, business class 16 dates) and 6 more. Dates count departure dates with an open award.

Can you fly nonstop from San Francisco to Washington 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, GOL Smiles, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, United MileagePlus and Virgin Australia Velocity. The lowest nonstop award in economy was 12,500 points with Alaska Atmos Rewards.

How much are taxes and fees on award flights from San Francisco to Washington?

Taxes and fees on each program's lowest award ranged in economy from $5.60 with AAdvantage (8,000 miles + $5.60) to $44.10 with Etihad Guest (28,000 miles + $44.10); in business class from $5.60 with MileagePlus (30,000 miles + $5.60 on a mixed-cabin itinerary) to $55.58 with Etihad Guest (45,000 miles + $55.58 on a mixed-cabin itinerary). 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 San Francisco to Washington?

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 San Francisco to Washington 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, 8,000 miles + taxes not reported with AAdvantage (31 dates); in business class, the lowest award was for Mar 2027 departures, 32,500 miles + taxes not reported with AAdvantage (30 dates), and a mixed-cabin itinerary was seen for Jan 2027 departures from 30,000 miles + taxes not reported 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 San Francisco to Washington?

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 6, 2027; seats can open earlier or later, and released seats may already be booked. See award release dates by program.

Related routes

How this page is built

These figures come from AwardTool's cached award searches across 27 loyalty programs. A value counts only when AwardTool observed it in the last 30 days, for departures within 365 days of the data date. Each price is the lowest one-way award seen per passenger, in the program's points or miles, with taxes and fees in USD. A missing value means AwardTool hasn't seen that award recently, not that none exists. The date-by-date calendar is in the app: a limited window on the free plan and 365 days with Pro.

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