American Eagle Return Policy: 60-⁠Day Refunds, $5 Mail Returns & Exceptions

American Eagle's return policy is built around a 60-day refund window, with merchandise credit after that, and it covers AE, Aerie, Offline and AE Factory. What you get back depends mostly on timing, proof of purchase and whether you return in a store or by mail. Every rule below comes from AE's US return policy page ¹.

How long you have to return

If you're not happy with a purchase, you can return it for a full refund within 60 days of the purchase date ¹. After 60 days, AE still takes it back, but for merchandise credit rather than a refund ¹. Note that the clock runs from the purchase date, not the delivery date.

One wrinkle for online orders: they aren't eligible for return until the full order has shipped ¹, so with a split shipment you have to wait until every item in the order has shipped before you can start a return.

Holiday returns

With the original proof of purchase or a gift receipt, merchandise bought online or in store on or after Oct. 23 can be returned through Feb. 1, 2027, or 60 days from the date of purchase, whichever is later ¹. That makes it the deadline to watch for gifts bought this season.

Condition rules and exceptions

• Condition: items must be unworn, unwashed and undamaged ¹.
• Swimsuits and underwear: the hygienic liners must still be in place ¹.
• Final Sale: items marked Final Sale can't be returned or exchanged ¹.
• Third-party apps: purchases made through a third-party application go back through that app and follow its return and refund policies ¹.
• Abuse: AE may refuse a return if there appears to be fraud or abuse ¹.

Returning in a store

Whether you bought online or in a store, you can return or exchange at any AE, Aerie, Offline or AE Factory store, and store returns are free ¹. At the register you choose how to be paid back ¹:

• Full refund to your original payment. Proof of purchase is required: a receipt, invoice, order history page or order email ¹.
• Merchandise credit on an AEO Merchandise return card ¹.
• Exchange for any item of equal or lesser value ¹.

Lost your receipt? Without proof of purchase, the policy page offers an exchange for a different size ¹.

Returning an online order by mail

Use AE's online portal to print a shipping label, or get a digital label to scan at USPS ¹. Mail returns cost $5 ¹. They're free if you are:

• a Real Rewards Level 3 Member;
• an AE Credit Cardmember;
• returning Aerie bras, bralettes or swimsuits, or third-party footwear ¹.

Items bought in a store can't be returned online; take them back to a store ¹.

How and when you get your money back

For a mailed return, allow up to 2-4 weeks for AE to receive the items and issue the refund ¹. After it's issued, the refund should show in your account within 5-7 business days ¹.

Want it faster? Real Rewards members can choose Instant Credit: an AEO e-gift card emailed as soon as you start the return ¹. You can also choose merchandise credit on an AEO Merchandise return card ¹.

Exchanges

Exchanges happen in store: swap your item for anything of equal or lesser value, or, without proof of purchase, for a different size ¹. Final Sale items can't be exchanged ¹.

Quick tips

• Return within 60 days of purchase to get your money back, not just credit ¹.
• Keep the order email: it counts as proof of purchase for a full refund ¹.
• Return online orders in a store to skip the $5 mail fee ¹.
• Leave swimsuit and underwear liners in place ¹.

More guides: the American Eagle store page and our returns policies hub.