I know that finding good travel deals can sometimes feel like a game of luck. But after years of hopping on and off flights, I’ve discovered several tricks to make sure I always get the best deal possible. I’ll share my own personal experience flying from San Francisco to Portland and how I managed to save big on my flight. This post also includes helpful tips for booking affordable flights, along with suggestions for cheap flights, seat classes, and local airport information.
The Flight: San Francisco to Portland
As a frequent traveler, I’ve often found myself flying between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Portland International Airport (PDX), a relatively short flight that can be both affordable and comfortable with the right strategy. For this particular trip, I flew with Alaska Airlines, a carrier I’ve come to trust for both its service and pricing.
Flight Details:
- Airline: Alaska Airlines
- Flight Number: ASXXX (Non-stop)
- Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Seat Class: Economy (Main Cabin)
- Departure Time: 9:15 AM
- Arrival Time: 11:00 AM
Booking the Flight:
When booking this flight, I used Google Flights to compare prices across various platforms like Expedia, Kayak, and the airline’s own website. Typically, Alaska Airlines offers excellent deals on short flights, and during off-peak seasons, I often find prices between $60-$120 for one-way tickets, depending on how early you book.
Ticket Pricing & Discounts:
I managed to get a one-way ticket for $99 through an early bird deal. For the round-trip ticket, I paid $189, which I found pretty reasonable for the route and the timing. To score discounts like I did, I recommend the following tips:
- Book in Advance: I always book my tickets at least 3-4 weeks ahead of time, as that’s when you’ll see the lowest prices.
- Set Price Alerts: Services like Google Flights and Skyscanner allow you to set up alerts. This is especially useful for routes like San Francisco to Portland, where fares fluctuate frequently.
- Look for Special Deals and Promotions: Airlines often have flash sales or holiday discounts. I find subscribing to email lists (like Alaska Airlines’ newsletter) gives me access to exclusive deals.
- Consider Flexible Dates: Airfares can vary based on the time of week. Mid-week flights (Tuesday and Wednesday) tend to be cheaper than weekend flights.
In-Flight Experience:
Since I was flying economy, I was a bit concerned about comfort, but Alaska Airlines pleasantly surprised me. The seat pitch was 31 inches, which is pretty standard, but comfortable enough for a short flight. The flight attendants were incredibly friendly, offering free snacks and beverages (though the selection was limited to basic snacks like pretzels and cookies). The onboard Wi-Fi was available for purchase, but I didn’t need it for this short duration.
Seat Class Comparison:
For those interested in premium options, Alaska Airlines also offers First Class and Premium Class seats, which come with additional legroom and priority boarding. First Class on a short flight like this can run between $300 and $500 (round-trip), depending on the time of booking. For those seeking maximum comfort, this could be a good choice, though I personally prefer economy for the price difference.
Recommended Flights for San Francisco to Portland
Here are four options I’d recommend for discounted flights based on my research and experience:
Alaska Airlines (Non-stop)
- Departure: 9:15 AM from SFO
- Arrival: 11:00 AM at PDX
- Price Range: $90-$160 (Economy Class)
- Why Book? Quick, reliable, and offers free snacks. Alaska Airlines has a reputation for punctuality and great customer service.
Southwest Airlines (Non-stop)
- Departure: 10:00 AM from SFO
- Arrival: 11:15 AM at PDX
- Price Range: $90-$140 (Economy)
- Why Book? No change fees and two free checked bags. Southwest is famous for its flexibility and excellent customer support.
JetBlue Airways (Non-stop)
- Departure: 8:30 AM from SFO
- Arrival: 10:00 AM at PDX
- Price Range: $100-$180 (Economy)
- Why Book? Spacious seats, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary snacks. Ideal for those looking for a more comfortable economy experience.
American Airlines (Non-stop)
- Departure: 7:45 AM from SFO
- Arrival: 9:30 AM at PDX
- Price Range: $110-$190 (Economy)
- Why Book? Standard flight with good service. They offer a wide range of additional services like Wi-Fi, extra baggage, and flexible ticket options for a small fee.
Travel Tips for Scoring the Best Flight Deals to Portland
Here are a few tricks that I always use when searching for discounted flights to Portland:
- Book at the Right Time: Tuesday and Wednesday are generally the best days to book your flights because airlines often release sales and discounts early in the week.
- Use Budget Airlines: Airlines like Southwest and JetBlue can often offer cheaper tickets than legacy carriers, and they tend to have better customer service.
- Consider Stopovers: While non-stop flights are ideal, if you’re looking to save money, consider a flight with one layover. You can sometimes save as much as 20% on the fare.
- Be Flexible with Travel Dates: If you can, be flexible with your dates. I personally use Google Flights or Skyscanner to search for the best deals across a range of dates, especially if I’m looking to travel within a specific timeframe.
Nearby Airports in San Francisco and Portland
When flying from San Francisco, the main airport is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is about 13 miles south of downtown SF. Here’s a breakdown of airport options for easy transfers:
- SFO (San Francisco International Airport):
- Distance to downtown SF: 30-45 minutes by car or BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit).
- How to Get There: If you’re coming from downtown, I highly recommend taking the BART (Orange or Yellow line) for just $9.65. Taxis or rideshares like Uber are also available for around $40-50.
- PDX (Portland International Airport):
- Distance to downtown Portland: 20 minutes by car, or MAX Light Rail (Red Line), which costs around $2.50.
- How to Get There: I often take the MAX Light Rail from PDX to downtown Portland. It’s efficient, affordable, and very convenient.
Where to Book Flights: My Favorite Booking Platforms
Booking flights can often be overwhelming with so many options available, but over the years, I’ve honed in on a few platforms that consistently provide the best deals, convenience, and flexibility. Here’s a breakdown of the most effective flight booking platforms I use, along with their unique features and advantages:
- Google Flights
Why I Love It:
Google Flights has become my go-to platform when I want to quickly compare flight prices and see the price trends over time. It’s incredibly user-friendly, and the interface is minimalist, making it easy to find the best deals without the clutter.
Features I Recommend:
• Flexible Date Search: Google Flights offers an excellent “Flexible Dates” feature, which allows you to search across multiple days or weeks. You can view prices for the entire month and find the best date to fly.
• Price Tracking: This feature is one of my favorites. If you’re not ready to book your flight immediately, Google Flights allows you to set up price alerts, notifying you via email when prices drop or rise.
• Explore Destinations: If you have some flexibility and are looking for inspiration, the Explore function lets you see the lowest fares available from your departure city to destinations all over the world.
• Destination Information: Google Flights also integrates local information like average weather, flight times, and quick links to accommodations and activities.
Pros:
• Easy to use and offers detailed information on flight options.
• No hidden fees (Google does not sell tickets, they only link to other agencies or airlines).
• Great for tracking prices and keeping up with changes in fares.
Cons:
• It doesn’t always include every airline, especially low-cost ones like Southwest or Alaska Airlines.
• Some flight options may redirect you to third-party booking sites, where prices can fluctuate.
Best For:
Quick searches, comparing multiple airlines, and tracking price changes over time.
- Skyscanner
Why I Love It:
Skyscanner is one of the best tools to find budget-friendly flights, especially when you’re not tied to specific travel dates. It’s also great for finding cheaper alternatives to popular routes.
Features I Recommend:
• Whole Month Search: You can search for flights across an entire month and see a full price comparison for every day, which is excellent if you’re flexible with your dates.
• Multi-City and Open-Jaw Flights: For those traveling to multiple destinations or returning from a different city, Skyscanner allows you to compare multi-city routes with ease.
• Search for Cheapest Month: If you don’t have specific dates in mind, Skyscanner’s “Cheapest Month” feature lets you see the least expensive time to fly.
• Price Alerts: Similar to Google Flights, Skyscanner offers price alerts, helping you track fluctuating flight prices.
Pros:
• Great for finding cheap flights, especially on lesser-known carriers.
• Includes both low-cost airlines and traditional airlines.
• Offers a great comparison of prices across many third-party booking sites.
Cons:
• It’s a meta-search engine, meaning you’ll often be redirected to third-party websites, and these prices might differ from the original listed prices due to commission.
• Doesn’t always show all available airlines, especially those with direct partnerships with booking websites.
Best For:
Those who are flexible with their travel dates and are looking to find budget options.
- Kayak
Why I Love It:
Kayak is one of the most well-known flight search engines, offering a wide variety of flight options and excellent filtering tools to narrow down your choices.
Features I Recommend:
• Explore Feature: Kayak offers a great “Explore” feature that lets you search for flights to multiple destinations based on your budget and preferred travel dates.
• Price Forecast: Kayak’s Price Forecast tool gives you advice on whether you should book a flight now or wait for the price to drop. This feature uses data from past flight pricing patterns, making it a reliable tool.
• Deals & Offers: Kayak also often features exclusive flash deals, where airlines release limited-time offers for a reduced price.
• Multiple Filters: Kayak allows you to filter flights based on various factors like flight duration, layovers, and departure times. You can also sort by cheapest or fastest flights.
Pros:
• Great variety of flight options across different platforms.
• Price forecasting can save you money by helping you know when to book.
• Offers a travel package option, including car rentals, hotels, and flights.
Cons:
• As with Skyscanner, you might get redirected to third-party websites that can be tricky to navigate or have fluctuating prices.
• The layout can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming with too many options, especially for first-time users.
Best For:
Travelers looking for a comprehensive booking experience, including flights, car rentals, and hotel bookings all in one place.
- Alaska Airlines Official Website
Why I Love It:
While third-party search engines are great for comparing prices, sometimes booking directly with the airline can offer you better deals, more flexibility, and extra benefits. For my San Francisco to Portland flights, I’ve often found that booking directly through Alaska Airlines’ official website yields the best value and perks.
Features I Recommend:
• Frequent Flyer Miles: If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll love that booking directly through Alaska Airlines lets you accumulate Mileage Plan miles that can be used for future travel discounts and upgrades.
• Mobile App for Seamless Check-In: Alaska’s mobile app is excellent for checking in, accessing your boarding pass, and even rebooking flights if needed.
• Special Deals & Offers: Alaska Airlines regularly offers exclusive deals on their website that might not show up on third-party platforms. You can find discounts for booking early or for specific routes like Portland.
• Baggage Policies: With Alaska Airlines, you can often find deals that include checked baggage, unlike some budget airlines where you’ll need to pay for luggage separately.
Pros:
• Access to exclusive perks and promotions not available on other platforms.
• Mileage Plan rewards for frequent flyers.
• Easy-to-navigate website with detailed information on services and ticket policies.
Cons:
• Limited search options: Alaska’s website only lists their own flights, so if you’re comparing multiple airlines, this might not be your go-to option.
• Occasional higher base prices: Sometimes, third-party platforms might show slightly lower base prices, though they often include extra fees.
Best For:
Travelers who fly with Alaska Airlines frequently or want the best possible customer service and frequent flyer benefits.
- Expedia
Why I Love It:
Expedia is one of the oldest and most reliable booking platforms. It’s especially useful when booking package deals (flights + hotels) and combining flights with other services like rental cars and activities.
Features I Recommend:
• Package Deals: Expedia often offers discounts when you bundle flights, hotels, and car rentals, so if you’re planning a complete trip, this is the way to go.
• Expedia Rewards: I’ve personally used Expedia Rewards, which allows you to earn points for every booking. These points can be redeemed for hotel stays or flight discounts.
• Customer Reviews: The site also integrates verified customer reviews, giving you detailed insights into airlines and hotels.
Pros:
• Excellent for booking all-in-one travel packages.
• A reliable platform with customer reviews and a user-friendly layout.
• Access to exclusive deals, especially for members of Expedia Rewards.
Cons:
• Sometimes the bundled deals might include extra fees.
• Customer service issues can arise if you need to make significant changes to your reservation.
Best For:
Travelers looking to book package deals and who appreciate loyalty rewards for future discounts.
Finding the best flight deal from San Francisco to Portland can be a fun and rewarding experience if you know where to look. My personal favorite platforms like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak have helped me book affordable flights while also keeping me in the loop about price changes and special promotions. If you want to book directly with an airline, I highly recommend Alaska Airlines for its customer service and loyalty program.
Whether you’re looking for budget options or premium comfort, there are platforms out there to suit every traveler’s needs. Be sure to set up price alerts, keep an eye out for flash sales, and book in advance to get the best deals. Safe travels and happy flight hunting!
Finding affordable flights from San Francisco to Portland requires a little bit of strategy, but with the right tools and planning, it’s entirely possible to save money. My experience flying Alaska Airlines was smooth, easy, and very affordable, and I hope the tips I shared here will help you plan your next trip with ease. Whether you’re booking months in advance or looking for last-minute deals, keep these tips in mind, and happy flying!