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San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the largest airports in the U.S. in terms of passenger traffic and number of flights. It serves more than 80 domestic routes and more than 50 international routes. Its most popular routes include Los Angeles (LAX), NYC (JFK and EWR, Chicago (ORD), Taipei (TPE), and London (LHR).
Travelers can also opt for flights from Sacramento (SMF), Oakland (OAK), San Jose (SJC), and Sonoma County (STS) airports, though SFO has the largest number of options, particularly for international flights.
With its position along the West Coast, San Francisco functions as an excellent gateway to virtually anywhere on the Pacific Rim. It’s an ideal launchpad to reach Oceania and French Polynesia. For example, it’s one of a handful of airports that serve destinations like Tahiti (PPT) and Nadi, Fiji (NAN). And San Francisco is the only option for a nonstop flight to Christchurch, New Zealand (CHC), and Adelaide, Australia (ADL).
As a traveler based in San Francisco, your wallet should be optimized for your unique situation. Here’s how to do it.
What should San Francisco travelers consider for their credit card strategy?
San Francisco Airport is a well-established United Airlines fortress hub. The airline controls roughly 46% of the airport’s market share. By comparison, United’s three largest competitors (Alaska Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines) combine for a market share of just over 25%.
All of this to say, a flight from San Francisco is most likely to be on United metal. If you fly from (or through) SFO with regularity, a credit card that offers United Airlines perks — or miles that can be redeemed for United Airlines flights — is your best bet.
Top credit cards for San Francisco-based travelers
As you may have guessed, the best credit cards for San Francisco-based travelers tend to be United Airlines credit cards. But the various Chase Sapphire cards are also an excellent option. You may even decide to hold both; their various perks and earning rates can make for a great combo.
United℠ Explorer Card
The United℠ Explorer Card is one of the best mid-range airline credit cards on the market, with benefits that improve virtually every phase of travel.
It unlocks discounted award availability (including on business class awards, which is exclusive to United cobranded cardholders) during booking; it waives the first checked bag fee for you and a companion on the same reservation (when you use the card to pay the cash portion of your ticket); it helps you to speed through airport security thanks to its trusted traveler application fee reimbursement; it comes with two complimentary United Club passes to make your airport concourse experience more enjoyable.
Plus, its annual fee is waived the first year — meaning you can give the card a test drive before you’re obligated to pay.
United Club℠ Card
As United’s premium credit card option, the United Club℠ Card comes with the most potent United Airlines benefits. From airline and hotel elite status to seat upgrades on award flights to discounted award availability, this is the ideal option for frequent United flyers. Those with elite status can also earn 7-11x points for every dollar spent on United flights, depending on their status tier.
The card’s crown jewel is its complimentary United Club membership, which gives you unlimited access to United’s 45+ Club Lounge locations.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is not a United Airlines credit card. Even so, it may be the best option for casual United flyers. The card earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points (4x on flights and hotels booked direct, 8x when booked with Chase Travel℠), which can be converted to United miles, along with 10 other airlines such as Southwest, JetBlue, Air Canada, and Air France. In other words, you’ll have the freedom to transfer your points to whichever eligible airline best serves your travel goals — United or otherwise.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a range of travel perks, such as top-tier travel insurance, thousands of dollars in annual statement credits, and access to more than 1,800 airport lounges worldwide.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a less fancy version of the Chase Sapphire Reserve, though it still comes with stellar travel insurance and annual statement credits along with a lower annual fee. Most importantly, the card earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, The British Airways Club, and many more.
For many purchases, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a higher return rate than most United credit cards. That means you can rack up United miles faster than if you swipe a United credit card.
Why United cards are recommended for San Francisco travelers
United cards are recommended for San Francisco travelers due to the United-centric perks that they confer. Not only can they save you an immense amount of money, but they can also sharply elevate your quality of travel.
With free checked bags, preferred boarding, access to additional award space, United Club airport lounge access, and statement credits for United spending, even an infrequent United flyer may find a United Airlines credit card to be a worthwhile addition to their wallet.
Alternative airlines and credit cards from San Francisco
Again, United Airlines isn’t the only airline that serves San Francisco. Depending on your travel style, you may almost never step foot on a United plane.
For example, if you regularly fly between San Francisco and the East Coast (think Washington, DC, New York, Boston, etc.), you may find yourself on an Alaska Airlines flight instead. In this case, cards like the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® may be a better option.
Or, if you tend to fly from San Francisco to cities like Austin, Detroit, or Salt Lake City, you may prefer Delta over United. In this case, a card like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card may better serve your travel style.
The best cards for airport lounge access in San Francisco
United lounges: United Club
United Club lounges are United’s proprietary network of airport lounges. They typically offer standard lounge amenities, such as free snacks and alcohol, plenty of electrical outlets, a conference center, and more.
SFO houses three United Club locations. You’ll find two in Terminal 3 (one near Gate F11 and one near Gate E4) and another in International Terminal G (between Gates G6 and G9). You can gain entry with the following cards:
United Club℠ Card
United℠ Explorer Card (2 passes per cardmember year)
Non-United lounges: The Club SFO, Golden Gate Lounge, Virgin Atlantic Club, Air France Lounge,
The Club SFO offers free food and alcohol, free Wi-Fi, and more. It also notably offers wellness facilities and pay-per-use showers. This lounge is located in Terminal 1 near gate B4. You can enter this lounge with any card that provides Priority Pass lounge access, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Managed by Air France, the Golden Gate Lounge is another popular non-United lounge option at SFO. It’s largely nondescript, but it offers free food and alcohol and good views of the tarmac. You can enter this lounge with the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The Priority Pass membership via the Chase Sapphire Reserve will also get you into the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and China Airlines Dynasty Lounge.
The Centurion Club
Holders of the American Express Platinum Card® can access the American Express Centurion Lounge located in Terminal 2, Concourse D.
Frequently asked questions
Are United credit cards worth it if I only fly 2-3 times per year?
United credit cards can absolutely be worth it for those who fly just two or three times per year. Money-saving perks like free checked bags can justify a card’s annual fee after just a round-trip flight or two.
What's the best strategy for earning United miles in San Francisco?
The best strategy for earning United Airlines miles in San Francisco is to make purchases with a United miles-earning card, like the United Explorer Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
What are the main perks of a United credit card?
The main perks of a United credit card are its United-focused features, such as free checked bags, preferred boarding, and discounted award seats. Some United cards even come with airport lounge access, and statement credits to offset United Airlines expenses.
What’s the main difference between the United Club Card and the United Explorer Card?
Beyond each card’s annual fee, the main difference between the United Club Card and the United Explorer card is the premium benefits. The United Club Card offers hundreds more dollars in annual statement credits, United Club membership, Premier Access travel services, and more.
