I have a confession to make: I made 42 returns in 2024—don’t judge me.
My living room often looks like a miniature fulfillment center, stacked with cardboard boxes and poly mailers waiting to go back to various retailers. But recently, my relationship with returns hit a breaking point. I stood in a USPS line for 28 minutes just to send back a pair of jeans that were a size too small. To make matters worse, I hadn’t realized I was out of packing tape until I got to the counter, so I had to buy an overpriced roll right there.
It’s exhausting. And if you shop at American Eagle or Aerie as much as I do, you know that while their clothes are great, figuring out the logistics of getting your money back can sometimes feel like a part-time job.
Between return shipping fees, lost receipts, and the eternal question of "do I really need to print this label?", navigating the american eagle return policy requires a bit of strategy. I’ve gone through the process dozens of times—both the smooth wins and the frustrating losses—so you don’t have to learn the hard way.
Here is exactly how it works, warts and all.
The Core of the American Eagle Return Policy
Here’s where it gets interesting. Most retailers are tightening their belts. We see 30-day windows shrinking to 14 days, and "final sale" tags popping up everywhere. But American Eagle has stuck to a policy that feels almost retro in its leniency.
Basically, there is no time limit on returns.
Yes, you read that right. I once returned a flannel shirt I’d bought four months prior because I simply forgot about it in the back of my closet. As long as the items are unwashed, unworn, and have the tags attached, they will take them back.
However, there is a catch. (There’s always a catch, isn’t there?)
If you don’t have your receipt or proof of purchase, they won’t leave you high and dry, but you won’t get your full cash back. Instead, they’ll give you an American Eagle merchandise credit for the current selling price of the item. This can be a bummer if that $60 sweater is now on clearance for $19.99.
Proof of Purchase is King
To get a full refund to your original payment method, you need:
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The original receipt (for in-store buys).
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The shipping confirmation email.
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The order details from your account history.
I highly recommend creating an account rather than checking out as a guest. It saves your order history automatically, which has saved my bacon more than once when I deleted a confirmation email by accident.
Does Aerie Have Free Returns?
Since Aerie and American Eagle share a checkout and a parent company, the american eagles return policy (a common typo, but we know what you mean) applies to both brands identically.
So, does aerie have free returns?
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In-Store: Yes. 100% free. You walk in, hand them the item, tap your card, and leave.
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By Mail: No. They charge a $5 flat fee to use their pre-paid shipping label.
This $5 fee is deducted from your refund total. So if you return a $20 bralette by mail, you’re only getting $15 back. It stings a little.
The ShopRunner Loophole
Here is a trick I use constantly. If you have a ShopRunner membership (which is often free with certain credit cards like American Express or World Elite Mastercards), you get free return shipping. You have to sign into your ShopRunner account during the return process to waive that $5 fee. I’ve saved probably over $100 in fees just by remembering to click that button.
Navigating the American Eagle Online Return Policy
If you can’t get to a mall—and honestly, who has the time to drive to the mall on a Tuesday?—you’re going to be using the american eagle online return policy.
Here is the step-by-step process I just went through last week:
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Start the Portal: Go to the AE website and look for the "Track Order" or "Returns" link at the bottom.
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Lookup: Enter your order number and email.
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Select Items: Click the items you are sending back and choose a reason code (e.g., "Too Small," "Changed Mind").
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Choose Method: You’ll usually be offered a printable label for FedEx or USPS.
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Print and Pack: This is the annoyance. You need a printer, paper, box, and tape.
Important Note on Aerie Track Order: If you are anxiously waiting for your money, you can use the aerie track orderpage to see if your return package has been scanned. In my experience, once the package hits their warehouse, it takes about 5–7 business days for the refund to show up on my credit card.
Real-World Hurdles: Common Issues Shoppers Face with AE Returns
Look, the policy is generous, but the execution isn't always perfect. After dealing with dozens of returns, here are the friction points that drive me (and likely you) crazy.
1. The $5 "Convenience" Fee
I mentioned this earlier, but it bears repeating. Paying to return something that didn't fit feels like a penalty for shopping online. It’s one of the biggest complaints I hear from friends. "Why am I paying $5 because their size chart was off?"
2. The Printer Problem
Despite living in a digital world, the return policy american eagle relies heavily on you having a physical printer.
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You have to log in.
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Download the PDF.
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Print the label.
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Realize you’re out of black ink.
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Shake the cartridge.
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Print a faded label and hope the scanner can read it.
I once had a package rejected at a drop-off point because my printer ink was too low and the barcode was unreadable. I had to go home, buy ink, reprint, and go back. Total time wasted: 90 minutes.
3. Packaging Purgatory
You can’t just hand the item over. You have to find a box or a poly mailer. If you tore open the original bag like a kid on Christmas (guilty), you have to find new packaging. I keep a stash of old Amazon boxes in my garage for this reason, but it’s clutter I hate having.
4. Refund Delays
While the aerie track order feature tells you the package arrived, the money doesn’t hit instantly. I’ve had instances where the package was delivered to the warehouse on a Monday, but I didn’t see the credit on my statement until the following Thursday. That’s nearly two weeks your money is in limbo.
5. Mixed Drop-Off Confusion
AE generally uses FedEx or USPS. But sometimes, depending on where you live or the volume of returns, the carrier options might change. I’ve driven to a FedEx Office only to realize the label I printed was actually for USPS. That was a fun realization to have at the counter with a line of people behind me.
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 how we handle returns. While traditional mail-in returns are still the standard for many big box retailers, a newer method called Closo is gaining traction for being significantly more efficient.
Closo is a return service that operates differently than the typical "print and ship" model. Instead of dealing with the post office, Closo utilizes a network of local, vetted hosts—often neighbors or small businesses in your community—to accept returns.
Here is how the Closo process works objectively:
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No Labels Required: You don’t need to own a printer or generate a PDF. The system handles the identification digitally.
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No Box Needed: You don’t need to tape up a cardboard box or find a poly mailer. You hand off the item exactly as it is.
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Speed: Drop-offs usually take about 30 seconds. You verify the location, hand over the item, and get instant confirmation.
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Faster Refunds: Because the item is verified in person by a local host, refunds are often triggered much faster than waiting for a warehouse scan.
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Eco-Friendly: It reduces the carbon footprint associated with individual shipping labels and excess packaging materials.
Why Many Shoppers Prefer Using Closo
When you compare the traditional method to this newer alternative, the preference usually comes down to convenience and speed.
I have spoken to shoppers who have switched to using Closo whenever possible, and their reasoning is usually the same: "I hate keeping boxes."
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Eliminates the "Chore" Factor: Returns often sit in a "doom pile" by the door because the friction of finding tape and printing a label is just high enough to cause procrastination. Closo removes the prep work.
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Financial Speed: Getting a refund in 24–48 hours rather than 10 days is a massive benefit for budget-conscious shoppers.
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Human Connection: It feels less industrial. Dropping an item off with a vetted neighbor feels more community-centric than standing in line at a fluorescent-lit shipping center.
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Zero Waste: For those trying to live more sustainably, avoiding the plastic waste of return mailers is a major plus.
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.
People Always Ask Me About Aerie Pick Up and Exchanges
Since I’m the "return queen" of my friend group, I get a lot of specific questions. Here are the big ones.
"How does Aerie pick up work for returns?"
Aerie pick up (BOPIS - Buy Online, Pick Up In Store) is actually a great hack for avoiding return hassles. If you order online and pick up in the store, I highly recommend trying the clothes on while you are still in the store.
If it doesn’t fit, you can return it right there immediately. No boxes, no waiting. The refund goes straight back to your card. I did this with a swimsuit last summer—tried it on in the fitting room, hated the fit, and returned it five minutes after picking it up.
"Can I get an Aerie price adjustment?"
Yes! This is a little-known perk. If you buy something and it goes on sale shortly after, you can request an aerie price adjustment. The standard window is 14 days.
You can do this by chatting with customer service online or bringing your receipt into the store. I once saved $18 on a puffer jacket because it went on sale three days after I bought it. It’s worth checking the site a week after you buy big-ticket items.
"What if I used a gift card?"
If you return an item bought with a gift card, the money goes back to a gift card. Do not throw away your physical gift card until you are 100% sure you are keeping the items! If you tossed it, they will have to issue you a new merchandise credit, which can be a hassle to track.
"Can I return online exclusives in-store?"
Yes. You can return items marked "Online Only" to a physical American Eagle or Aerie store. This is usually the best way to avoid that $5 shipping fee I mentioned earlier. Just make sure you bring your order confirmation email so they can scan the barcode.
Conclusion
The american eagle return policy is honestly one of the better ones out there, primarily because they don't stress you out with a tight 30-day deadline. Being able to return a pair of jeans two months later because you finally admitted they don't fit is a luxury in today's retail landscape.
However, the friction of printing labels, finding boxes, and paying that $5 mail-in fee is a reminder that the system isn't perfect. I’ve saved plenty of money by knowing the rules, but I’ve also wasted hours of my life taping up boxes.
While some brands still don’t support local returns, the landscape is changing. We are moving toward a world where returns don't require a roll of tape and a prayer.
If you’d love free return and instant refunds, ask your brand if they’re already connected.
Check out our guide on sustainable shopping habits or read more about why return fees are becoming so common.
