San Francisco: 10 Best Hotels That Are FREE With Points

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San Francisco is one of the world’s most recognized cities, and a very popular destination offering something for everyone!  According to Google, the city attracts more than 25 million visitors per year, and it’s incredibly diverse with lots of attractions for tourists.

And you’ll have your pick of plenty of luxurious hotels with great views and amenities.  San Francisco is notorious for its high cost of living, and hotels are no exception.  There’s no shortage of fancy hotels, but they’re also widely regarded as some of the world’s priciest according to many people online.

That’s where having the right credit card can come in handy!  Because you’ll be able to earn miles and points to book free nights at some of the most expensive San Francisco hotels!

Here’s a list of 10 of the best hotels in San Francisco you can book for free with miles and points!

Looking for the Best Hotels in San Francisco You Can Book FREE With Points?

Here Are the 10 Best Hotels in San Francisco That Are Free With Points

• The Ritz Carlton San Francisco using Marriott points (Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card)
• Omni San Francisco Hotel using Capital One Venture miles (Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card)
• The Orchard Hotel using Capital One Venture miles (Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card)
• InterContinental San Francisco using IHG points (IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card)
• InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco using IHG points (IHG Rewards Club Premier Card)
• Kimpton Buchanan Hotel using IHG points (IHG Rewards Club Premier Card)
• Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown using Marriott points (Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card)
• Hilton San Francisco Financial District using Hilton points (Hilton Honors American Express Ascend)
• San Francisco Marriott Marquis using Marriott points (Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card)
• Hotel Nikko San Francisco using Capital One Venture Miles (Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card)

How We Chose the Best Hotels in San Francisco Where You Can Stay Free Using Points 

San Francisco has a number of highly-rated, luxury hotels.  And because everyone has their own individual tastes, styles, and preferences, there will be plenty of great hotels that did not make this list.

That said, we selected the hotels on this list based on 2 main factors.  First, we looked at what other guests had to say about their stay based on popular travel sites like booking.com and TripAdvisor.  The hotels on this list received not only a high rating, but also received a large number of reviews to ensure it was consistent.

Second, the hotels on this list can be booked with just miles and points, with no added resort fees or destination fees.  So your stay will truly be free!  And all of them can be done with the intro bonus on a single credit card, so it’s something that can be done in a short time frame, as opposed to something that would take years to save up for!

1.   The Ritz Carlton, San Francisco

If you’re looking for a luxurious hotel in an upscale area, The Ritz Carlton, San Francisco may be just what you’re looking for!  Located in the scenic area of Nob Hill, it is the city’s only AAA 5-Diamond hotel, along with a number of other prestigious awards.  And it shows in the hotel’s rating on TripAdvisor, with over 1,300+ guests giving the hotel a 4.5-star rating.

And it’s located to a number of popular spots!  It’s walking distance to places like The San Francisco Ballet, The Best of Broadway Season, The San Francisco Symphony, The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and other points of interest.

Rooms can typically run ~$500+ per night, or 60,000 Marriott points per night.  But you can stay here for no out-of-pocket cost if you have the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card and earn the intro bonus.

2.   Omni San Francisco Hotel

The Omni San Francisco Hotel is a top-rated hotel on TripAdvisor, receiving the site’s Certificate of Excellence, and earning a 4.5-star rating with over 5,700+ reviews.  People who stayed here mentioned they enjoyed the hotel’s luxurious accommodations, incredible food, and great location within walking distance to many attractions such as museums, theaters, and shopping centers.

Million Mile Secrets team member Joseph visited Tartine Bakery when he visited San Francisco to see if they really did have the best sourdough bread in the world.  He spent ~$10 on a loaf of sourdough and agreed that it was the best he’s ever had!

Rooms can usually run around ~$300 per night, and the easiest way to book a room with no out-of-pocket cost is by redeeming Venture miles from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for ~30,000 Venture miles.

3.   The Orchard Hotel

If you prefer the more unique feel of a boutique hotel, The Orchard Hotel is worth a look.  This hotel has a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor based on over 3,000+ reviews.  Many reviewers raved about the friendly staff, the cleanliness of the rooms, and the great location to many nearby restaurants.

Depending on when you book, rooms here will run anywhere between $250 to $400 per night.  If you’re looking to book for free without any out-of-pocket cost, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card will help you earn miles to cover the cost of your stay, for ~25,000 to ~40,000 Venture miles.

4.   InterContinental San Francisco

The InterContinental San Francisco is a sleek, modern, upscale hotel in the Bay area!  It’s a 32-story glass tower that gives guests fantastic views of the city.  Over 3,100 users on TripAdvisor have rated this hotel 4.5 stars, and the hotel has received the site’s Certificate of Excellence because of the consistently high ratings it has received.

The hotel is located right next to the Moscone West Convention Center, and is also within walking distance to Union Square, shopping areas, and a wide variety of restaurants and bars.  And if you’re feeling lazy and want to stay close by, you’ll also have the option of grabbing food at the Michelin-starred Luce Restaurant!

Rooms at this hotel typically run ~$350 or more per night or 70,000 IHG points.  If you want to quickly earn points for a stay at this hotel, you can look at applying for the IHG Rewards Club Premier Card.

5.   InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

If you’re looking for a historic charm mixed with luxurious accommodations, the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco may fit the bill perfectly!  Located at the top of Nob Hill, people who have stayed here have consistently given the hotel high marks, evidenced by its Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor, and 4-star rating with 2,700+ reviews.

This historic hotel has been updated over the years to feature modern amenities, high-tech features, and more.  And you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Bay Area!

The hotel is also conveniently located close to Union Square and many other restaurants and shopping locations.

Rooms can be booked for ~$250 cash, or 70,000 IHG points per night.

The IHG Rewards Club Premier Card is the fastest way to earn a free night with points.

6.   Kimpton Buchanan Hotel

The Kimpton Buchanan Hotel is another great boutique hotel in San Francisco.  It’s located very close to Japantown, the Fillmore, and Pacific Heights.  You’ll be immersed in the vibrant neighborhood and be within a stone’s throw of top-rated dining, shopping, and cultural experiences!

Reviews on TripAdvisor peg this hotel at 4.5 stars based on over 750 reviews, and the hotel has even been awarded the site’s Certificate of Excellence!

The hotel is particularly well-known for its spacious rooms, and reviewers also comment about the friendly staff, great views, and cleanliness.

Rooms at this hotel are typically ~$300 per night or 55,000 IHG points, and the fastest way to earn free nights is by applying for the IHG Rewards Club Premier Card.

7.   Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown

The Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown Hotel is located right in the heart of downtown San Francisco, so you’ll have quick access to a number of nearby attractions.  You’ll be able to visit AT&T park for a baseball game, go to the Ferry Building for dining, and more!

Reviewers on TripAdvisor have also looked favorably on this hotel, with a 4-star rating with over 1,100+ reviews.  Guests have consistently commented about the clean and spacious hotel rooms.  The hotel also boasts a number of amenities for its guests, including an on-site Starbucks, an indoor pool, and a fitness center!

Rooms can run ~$450 per night.  Alternatively, you can also book a free night with 40,000 Marriott points, which you can quickly earn with the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card.

8.   Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Located in downtown San Francisco, the Hilton San Francisco Financial District hotel will put you within walking distance of Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, and North Beach.  You’ll get a great view of either the city or bay (depending on your room), and have easy access to lots of entertainment and nightlife.

The hotel itself also has an on-site karaoke room in case you decide to bring a little bit of the nightlife party back to the hotel!

Reviews on TripAdvisor have been very positive.  The hotel currently has a 4-star rating with over 4,000+ reviews, and had received the Certificate of Excellence from the site in 2017.

If you’re looking to book a room, they’ll typically run ~$300 per night or around 60,000 Hilton points.  But you can quickly earn enough points for a free night with the Hilton Honors American Express Ascend.

9.   San Francisco Marriott Marquis

A central location to a number of nearby attractions makes the San Francisco Marriott Marquis stand out as a top hotel.  You’ll be able to visit the shopping center in Union Square and Embarcadero Center, as well as other landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf.

Million Mile Secrets team member Jasmin visited Fisherman’s Wharf on a trip to San Francisco with her extended family.  She says to be sure to head to Pier 39 to check out the very entertaining sea lions!

The San Francisco Marriott Marquis has earned a 4-star rating on TripAdvisor with over 6,600+ reviews.  Many guests confirmed the great location and convenient access to many local attractions, as well as spacious rooms and great concierge service!

Without points, you’ll typically pay ~$400 or more per night for a room.  If you’re looking to book without any out-of-pocket cost, you’ll need 45,000 Marriott points.  You can quickly earn enough points for a free stay with the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card.

10.   Hotel Nikko San Francisco

Arguably one of the finest hotels offering Asian hospitality, the Hotel Nikko San Francisco is a 4-diamond rated hotel with a wide variety of amenities on site, including a full-service Starbucks, rental car facility, a hair salon, and a highly-reviewed restaurant!

The hotel has been awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, earning a 4-star rating with over 3,900+ reviews.  And guests consistently give props to the quality and luxury feel of the amenities, as well as its central location to many nearby attractions like Union Square, City Hall, the SF Giants AT&T Ballpark, and more.

You’ll typically pay ~$400 per night for a room, but with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you can redeem ~40,000 Venture miles to cover the cost of a night here!

Bottom Line

If you thought that staying at a nice hotel in San Francisco was out of reach because of the cost, there’s a way to make it happen!  With the right credit card, you’ll be able to use your miles and points to stay at some of the finest hotels in San Francisco.

• The Ritz Carlton San Francisco using Marriott points (Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card)
• Omni San Francisco Hotel using Capital One Venture miles (Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card)
• The Orchard Hotel using Capital One Venture miles (Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card)
• InterContinental San Francisco using IHG points (IHG Rewards Club Premier Card)
• InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco using IHG points (IHG Rewards Club Premier Card)
• Kimpton Buchanan Hotel using IHG points (IHG Rewards Club Premier Card)
• Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown using Marriott points (Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card)
• Hilton San Francisco Financial District using Hilton points (Hilton Honors American Express Ascend)
• San Francisco Marriott Marquis using Marriott points (Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card)
• Hotel Nikko San Francisco using Capital One Venture Miles (Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card)

Have you been to San Francisco and stayed at any of these hotels?  Let us know in the comments!