Quick Answer
Yes — American Express and Capital One accept an ITIN on travel card applications, and Bank of America accepts it in branch. The most accessible starting point is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured: a $200 refundable deposit, no annual fee, and 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. For premium points, the Amex Gold earns 3x on flights and 4x on dining.
Can You Get a Travel Credit Card With an ITIN?
Yes. American Express and Capital One accept an ITIN online, and Bank of America accepts it in branch. The real barrier is credit history, not your ITIN — most travel rewards cards expect 12–24 months of on-time U.S. payments. If your file is thin, a secured card with travel-portal rewards is the fastest on-ramp to the premium options.
Which Travel Cards Accept an ITIN in 2026?
All cards below accept an ITIN in place of an SSN. Capital One and Amex process applications online; Bank of America requires an in-branch or phone application for ITIN holders. The table compares rewards, the foreign transaction fee that matters most for trips home, and the annual fee.
| Card | Travel Rewards | Foreign Txn Fee | Annual Fee | ITIN Apply Path | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Secured | 5% Capital One Travel; 1.5% all else | None | $0 | Online | Building credit, first travel card |
| Bank of America Travel Rewards | 1.5x points everywhere | None | $0 | In branch / phone | No foreign transaction fee, simple points |
| American Express® Gold Card | 3x flights; 4x dining & U.S. supermarkets | None | $325 | Online | Frequent diners and flyers, established credit |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | 5x Chase Travel; 3x dining | None | $95 | In branch | Transferable points, established credit |
Terms set by each issuer and subject to change — confirm on the issuer's site before applying.
Which ITIN-Friendly Cards Have No Foreign Transaction Fee?
If you travel to your home country or buy from foreign merchants, the foreign transaction fee matters more than the rewards rate. Most cards add about 3% to every purchase abroad. The Bank of America Travel Rewards card, the Amex Gold, and the Capital One Quicksilver Secured all charge zero — wiping out that 3% drag.
Why this matters for ITIN holders
On a $2,000 trip home, a 3% foreign transaction fee costs $60 — often more than a year of rewards earns back. A no-foreign-transaction-fee card is usually a bigger win than a slightly higher rewards rate. Bank of America publishes the fee schedule on its Travel Rewards card page; confirm the current terms before applying.
What Travel Card Can I Get While Building Credit?
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured is the standard answer. It accepts an ITIN, requires only a $200 refundable deposit, has no annual fee, and earns 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel plus 1.5% everywhere else. Capital One reviews the account for an unsecured upgrade after several months of on-time payments.
$200 refundable deposit, no annual fee. 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 1.5% on everything else, and no foreign transaction fee. ITIN accepted online. The most accessible travel-rewards card for someone building U.S. credit. See Capital One's Quicksilver Secured page for current terms.
1.5 points per dollar on every purchase, no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fee. Points redeem as a statement credit toward travel purchases. ITIN holders must apply in branch or by phone, not online — bring your ITIN, passport, and proof of U.S. address.
If you have less than a year of U.S. credit history, build it first with a starter card — see our secured-card picks for ITIN holders and how to build credit with an ITIN from zero.
Are Travel Points or Flat Cash Back Better for ITIN Holders?
It depends on how you travel. Transferable points (Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards) can be worth more per dollar, but only if you redeem for travel and learn the transfer partners. Flat cash back is simpler and more flexible — better if you send money home, rarely fly the same airline, or are still building credit and want predictability.
- Choose points if you fly often, can plan trips around award availability, and will hold the card long enough to learn redemptions.
- Choose flat cash back if you want no annual fee, value simplicity, or split spending between the U.S. and your home country — see best cash back cards for ITIN holders.
How Do I Apply for a Travel Card With an ITIN?
For Amex and Capital One, apply online and enter your 9-digit ITIN in the application's Social Security Number field. For Bank of America and Chase, ITIN holders generally 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 travel credit card with an ITIN?
Yes. American Express and Capital One accept an ITIN on travel card applications online, and Bank of America accepts it in branch. The barrier is rarely the ITIN itself — most travel rewards cards require 12–24 months of U.S. credit history. With a thin file, start with the Capital One Quicksilver Secured, which earns 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and has no annual fee.
Which ITIN-friendly travel card has no foreign transaction fee?
The Bank of America Travel Rewards card charges no foreign transaction fee and earns 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured and the Amex Gold also charge no foreign transaction fee. This matters if you travel to or spend in your home country, because most cards add about 3% to every purchase made abroad or in a foreign currency.
Can I get a travel rewards card with no U.S. credit history and an ITIN?
Not the premium ones. Cards like the Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred typically need 12–24 months of credit history. With no history, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured is the fastest on-ramp: it accepts an ITIN, requires a $200 refundable deposit, has no annual fee, and earns elevated rewards through Capital One Travel while you build the score the premium cards require.
Are travel points or flat cash back better for ITIN holders?
Flat cash back is simpler and more flexible if you send money home or rarely fly on the same airline. Transferable points (Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards) can be worth more per dollar but only if you redeem for travel and learn the transfer partners. If you are building credit or want predictability, start with flat rewards and a no-foreign-transaction-fee card.
Does the Amex Gold card accept an ITIN?
Yes. Since November 2023 American Express has accepted an ITIN in place of a Social Security number on every U.S. consumer card application, including the Amex Gold. You still need to meet the card's income and credit requirements, which generally means established U.S. credit. Enter your ITIN in the SSN field on the online application.