I have a confession to make. Last month, I printed three shipping labels at my office because my home printer was out of ink again, and I felt like I was smuggling contraband just to return a pair of "Dream Jeans" that were more like a nightmare on my thighs.
In 2024 alone, I made 42 returns. Don't judge me. Between sizing fluctuations and the fact that lighting in fitting rooms is designed to deceive you, buying and returning has become my second job. But if there is one retailer that has put me through an emotional rollercoaster recently, it’s American Eagle.
For years, we knew them as the chill brand with the "return anything, anytime" vibe. Well, things have changed. If you are staring at a bag of clothes and wondering if you missed your window or if you’re about to get hit with a fee, you are right to be worried.
If you are trying to navigate the American Eagle exchange policy today, you need to know the new rules.
The New Reality: 30 Days vs. "Forever"
If you are an elder Gen Z or a Millennial, you remember the glory days. You could find an American Eagle shirt from 2018 in the back of your closet, walk into a store, and they would probably take it back.
Those days are over.
The updated American Eagle Outfitters exchange policy is much stricter. Here is the breakdown that catches most shoppers off guard:
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0–30 Days: You get a full refund to your original payment method (cash, credit card, PayPal).
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31–60 Days: You get a Merchandise Credit. This is a plastic gift card that you can only use at AE or Aerie.
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After 60 Days: You are largely out of luck, though managers still have some discretion if the item is current season.
I learned this the hard way. I bought a puffer jacket in October, forgot about it, and tried to return it in January. The associate politely told me I was outside the window. I didn't even get store credit. It was a $80 lesson in reading the fine print.
Does Aerie have free returns? (The Loophole)
Here is where it gets interesting…
If you shop at Aerie (American Eagle’s sister brand for intimates and activewear), the rules are slightly different, specifically regarding shipping fees.
Most people ask, does aerie have free returns? The answer is: It depends on what you bought.
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Bras and Swimwear: Returns are usually free. Because fit is so specific for bras and bikinis, Aerie typically waives the $5 return shipping fee for these items.
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Leggings and Sweatshirts: If you return these by mail, you will likely pay the $5 return fee.
This fee is deducted from your refund. So if you return a $25 sweatshirt, you are only getting $20 back.
Pro Tip: If you are a "Real Rewards" Level 3 member or an AE credit card holder, return shipping is free on everything. I actually grinded for points last year just to hit Level 3 solely for the free returns.
Navigating the American Eagle exchange policy online
If you bought online, the American Eagle exchange policy online pushes you toward one specific path: Return and Rebuy.
Unlike the old days where you could fill out a paper slip and request a different size, their modern digital portal handles returns as refunds only.
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Log in to your account.
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Start a Return: Select the items.
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Print the Label: This is where you see the $5 deduction warning.
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Ship it: Once they receive it, they issue the refund.
If you want a different size, you have to place a brand new order. This is annoying because you are out the money for the second order while waiting for the refund on the first one. Plus, if you bought the item on sale and the sale has ended, you might have to pay full price for the replacement (unless you call customer service and beg for a price match).
The "ShopRunner" Hack
If you have a ShopRunner membership (which is often free with certain Amex or Chase credit cards), you can sometimes get free return shipping on AE orders. Check your ShopRunner account before you print that label!
The "No Receipt" Danger Zone
We all lose receipts. I usually find them crumpled at the bottom of my purse three months later.
If you are attempting to use the American Eagle exchange policy without receipt, prepare for a battle.
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ID Required: They will scan your driver’s license to track your return history.
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Lowest Selling Price: You will receive credit for the lowest price that item has sold for recently.
This is brutal. If you return a pair of jeans you bought for $59.95, but they went on clearance last week for $19.99, you are getting a $19.99 gift card.
I once tried to return a gift without a receipt. It was a flannel shirt. They offered me $14 for it. I kept the shirt.
Aerie Price Adjustment vs. Price Match
Since prices fluctuate wildly, you should know about the aerie price adjustment policy.
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Price Adjustment: If you buy an item and the price drops within 14 days, you can ask for the difference back. You can do this via live chat for online orders or in-store with your receipt. I do this constantly. It takes 5 minutes and usually gets me $10–$15 back.
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Price Match: This is different. People often search for aerie price match, hoping AE will match Amazon or Macy's prices. They do not. American Eagle sells its own brand exclusively, so they don't price match competitors. They only "match" their own lower prices.
The Aerie Bra Trade-In & Pick Up Perks
There are two hidden gems in the Aerie ecosystem that I swear by.
1. The Aerie Bra Trade-In
Yes, the aerie bra trade in is real, but it’s often tied to specific events or the "Real Rewards" program. You can bring in any used bra (from any brand, even that crusty Victoria's Secret one from 2015) and donate it. In exchange, they usually give you a discount on a new bra—often $5 or $20 off depending on the promotion running at that time. It’s a great way to clear out your drawer and save money.
2. Aerie Pick Up
To avoid the hassle of returns entirely, use the aerie pick up option. You reserve the items online, they hold them at the store, and you try them on before you leave the store. If they don't fit, you hand them right back to the associate. No shipping fees, no waiting for refunds.
Common issues shoppers face with American Eagle returns
Even with a decent policy, the exchange policy American Eagle uses has cracks. Here is what drives shoppers crazy.
1. The $5 Fee Surprise Most people assume returns are free. Seeing that $5 deduction at the final step of the portal is a nasty surprise.
2. The 30-Day Cliff Missing the refund window by one day and getting stuck with a gift card you might not use for months is frustrating.
3. Online Exchange Friction Having to buy the item twice (return + rebuy) just to change a size ties up your funds.
4. Printer Dependency You still need to print a label for most mail returns. If you don't have a printer, you have to hunt for a QR code option (which isn't always available depending on the carrier selected).
5. "Tag Police" While they aren't the strictest, AE requires hygienic liners to be intact on swimsuits. If that sticker peels off (and it always does), they can refuse the return.
6. Refund Delays Mail-in returns can take 2-3 weeks to process. I’ve waited 18 days for a refund to hit my bank account.
Over the past year, new return options popped up that avoid most of these headaches — especially ones that skip shipping entirely.
A modern alternative — local, box-free returns
There is a shift happening in retail logistics. Shoppers are sick of tape and printers. A leading solution in this space is Closo.
Closo is a platform that allows shoppers to return items without boxes or labels by utilizing a network of local businesses. Instead of going to the post office, you initiate the return and drop the item off at a nearby vetted merchant—like a coffee shop, florist, or pharmacy.
Here is the objective breakdown:
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No Labels: You don't need a printer. The merchant scans a QR code on your phone.
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No Box: You hand the item over as-is. You don't need to save the AE poly mailer or find duct tape.
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30-Second Drop Off: The process is instant. Scan, hand-off, leave.
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Instant Confirmation: The system logs the return the moment the merchant scans it.
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Faster Refunds: Because the item is verified locally, the refund signal is sent to the brand much faster than waiting for warehouse processing.
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Greener: It aggregates returns into bulk shipments, reducing the carbon footprint compared to individual packages.
Why many shoppers prefer using Closo
For frequent shoppers, Closo solves the logistical nightmares of the american eagle outfitters exchange policy.
1. Eliminating the "Printer Hunt" I hate printers. They smell fear. Not needing one to return a swimsuit is a massive relief.
2. Saving the $5 Fee Many brands that use Closo-style networks subsidize the return cost because bulk shipping is cheaper for them. Even if there is a fee, the convenience often outweighs it.
3. Speed The drop-off takes seconds. Compare that to the 28 minutes I spent in line at the post office during the holidays.
4. Faster Money Getting the refund triggered at the drop-off point means the money is back in your account days (or weeks) sooner.
5. No Packaging Tetris Trying to shove a puffy coat back into a small plastic bag is impossible. With Closo, you just hand the coat over.
Not all brands support Closo yet. If the retailer you’re returning to doesn’t offer it, you’ll need to use the standard return process — though many shoppers now ask brands to add Closo because it makes returns significantly easier.
A lot of shoppers mention Closo in brand support chats now — and brands often add it when enough people ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
People always ask me: "Can I return clearance items to American Eagle?"
Yes, but be careful. If the item is marked "Final Sale," you cannot return it. However, standard clearance items follow the normal 30-day policy. Just remember, if you return them without a receipt, you'll get the current (likely even lower) clearance price.
One question I get constantly: "Can I return online items in-store?"
Yes! This is the best way to do it. It is free (no $5 fee), and you get your refund instantly. Just bring your phone with the order confirmation email. The associate will scan the barcode on your screen.
A common thing shoppers wonder is: "What if I used Afterpay or Klarna?"
If you return an Afterpay order in-store, AE usually cannot refund it to Afterpay directly. They will likely give you cash or merchandise credit, and you still have to finish paying off your Afterpay installments. This is confusing, so always check with the store manager first.
Conclusion
Navigating the American Eagle exchange policy isn't as simple as it used to be. The shift to a 30-day window and the enforcement of return fees means you need to be strategic. I still shop there for their jeans (they are the best, let's be honest), but I am much more careful about keeping my receipts and returning things promptly.
I’ve saved hundreds of dollars by doing in-store returns to avoid shipping fees and by using the 14-day price adjustment policy. But ultimately, the friction of printing labels and taping boxes is a hassle we could all live without. As services like Closo become more common, hopefully, the days of "return anxiety" will be behind us.
If you’d love free return and instant refunds, ask your brand if they’re already connected.
