Quick Answer
Yes — American Express, Capital One, and Bank of America accept an ITIN on rewards applications. While building credit, the Capital One Savor earns 3% on dining and groceries with no annual fee and no cap, and the BofA Customized Cash Rewards pays 3% on a category you choose (like dining), on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter. With established credit, the Amex Gold earns 4x at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
Can You Get a Dining and Grocery Rewards Card With an ITIN?
Yes. Amex and Capital One accept an ITIN online; Bank of America accepts it in branch. Food is where many families spend the most, so a dining-and-grocery card can return more than a flat-rate card. The catch is caps and category rules — the headline rate rarely applies to every dollar.
Which Dining and Grocery Cards Accept an ITIN?
All cards below accept an ITIN. The table shows the dining rate, the supermarket rate, any annual spending cap, and the fee. Note that "supermarket" is a specific category — warehouse clubs and superstores usually do not count, which the cap-and-category sections below explain.
| Card | Dining | Supermarket | Cap | Annual Fee | ITIN Apply Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Savor | 3% | 3% | None | $0 | Online |
| BofA Customized Cash Rewards | 3% chosen category | 2% (grocery base) | $2,500/qtr combined | $0 | In branch |
| Amex Blue Cash Everyday® | 1% | 3% | $6,000/yr supermarket | $0 | Online |
| American Express® Gold Card | 4x worldwide | 4x U.S. | $25,000/yr supermarket | $325 | Online |
Terms set by each issuer and subject to change — confirm on the issuer's site before applying.
Do Grocery Rewards Have Spending Caps?
Usually, yes — and the cap decides what you really earn. The Amex Blue Cash Everyday pays 3% at U.S. supermarkets only on the first $6,000 per year, then drops to 1%. The Amex Gold caps its 4x supermarket rate at $25,000 per year. The Capital One Savor has no cap on its 3% rate.
What a cap costs you
If your family spends $800/month on groceries — $9,600/year — the Blue Cash Everyday's $6,000 cap means only the first $6,000 earns 3%; the remaining $3,600 earns just 1%. An uncapped 3% card like the Savor would earn 3% on the full amount. American Express publishes the supermarket cap on the Blue Cash Everyday card page; confirm current terms before applying.
What Counts as "Dining" and "Groceries"?
Issuers sort purchases by the merchant category code (MCC) the store reports. That code — not what you buy — decides your rewards rate. This is why a grocery run at the wrong store can earn only the base 1%.
- Counts as dining: restaurants, cafes, bars, and most fast food. Food delivery apps sometimes count, sometimes don't.
- Counts as groceries: standalone supermarkets and grocery stores.
- Usually does NOT count as groceries: Walmart, Target, and warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club — these code as general retail or wholesale, earning the base rate even when you only buy food.
What Dining or Grocery Card Can I Get While Building Credit?
Two ITIN-friendly picks stand out before you qualify for the Amex Gold. The BofA Customized Cash Rewards lets you choose dining as its 3% category (plus 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs), with no annual fee, applied in branch. The Capital One Savor earns 3% on dining and groceries with no annual fee and no cap.
3% cash back in one chosen category — dining, online shopping, gas, travel, drugstores, or home improvement — plus 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. The 3% and 2% tiers apply to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%. No annual fee. ITIN holders apply in branch or by phone with a passport and proof of U.S. address.
3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery stores — with no cap and no annual fee. ITIN accepted online. Capital One is generally more flexible on credit than premium cards, making this a strong everyday food card while you build toward the Amex Gold.
4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year), 3x on flights. Annual dining and Uber Cash credits help offset the $325 annual fee. Typically requires established U.S. credit (around 720+) — approval depends on your full profile. ITIN accepted online.
No credit history yet? Start with a secured card, then read how to build credit with an ITIN from zero.
How Do I Apply for a Dining or Grocery Card With an ITIN?
For Amex and Capital One, apply online and enter your 9-digit ITIN in the Social Security Number field. For Bank of America, ITIN holders apply in branch with a passport and proof of U.S. address. The full step-by-step, including what to do if the online form rejects your ITIN, is on our main card guide.
See the complete walkthrough: How to apply for a credit card with an ITIN →. An ITIN is a tax ID issued by the IRS to people not eligible for an SSN — see the IRS ITIN page for official requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a dining and grocery rewards card with an ITIN?
Yes. American Express, Capital One, and Bank of America all accept an ITIN on rewards card applications. The Amex Gold earns 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets but needs established credit. While building credit, the Capital One Savor earns 3% on dining and groceries with no annual fee, and the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards lets you pick dining as your 3% category.
Do grocery rewards have spending caps?
Often, yes. The Amex Gold earns 4x at U.S. supermarkets only on the first $25,000 per year, then 1x. The Amex Blue Cash Everyday caps its 3% U.S. supermarket rate at $6,000 per year, then 1%. The Capital One Savor has no cap on its 3% grocery and dining rate. Always check the annual cap before assuming every dollar earns the headline rate.
What counts as dining and groceries for credit card rewards?
Issuers categorize purchases by the merchant category code (MCC). Restaurants, cafes, and bars count as dining. Standalone supermarkets count as groceries — but warehouse clubs like Costco and superstores like Walmart and Target are usually coded as general retail, not supermarkets, so they earn the base 1%. Meal-kit and delivery services may or may not count depending on the issuer.
What dining or grocery card can I get while building credit with an ITIN?
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card lets you choose dining as your 3% category (plus 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter), accepts an ITIN via in-branch application, and has no annual fee. The Capital One Savor earns 3% on dining and groceries with no annual fee and is generally more flexible on credit than premium cards. Both report to all three bureaus.
Is the Amex Gold worth the annual fee for groceries and dining?
It can be. The Amex Gold earns 4x on dining worldwide and 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year) and carries a $325 annual fee, partly offset by annual dining and Uber Cash credits. If you spend heavily on food, the 4x and credits can outweigh the fee. If your food spending is modest, a no-annual-fee card like the Capital One Savor is usually the better value.