American Eagle Return Policy After 30 Days: Simplified
Learn how the American Eagle return policy after 30 days works—what you can return, get in refund, and when store credit kicks in.

American Eagle (AE) is a popular brand known for its trendy clothing, denim, and activewear for men and women. If you’ve shopped at AE, Aerie, or Offline by Aerie and need to return something, this guide walks you through American Eagle return policy in the simplest way possible.
Quick Overview: American Eagle Return Policy at a Glance
Return Window | Within 30 Days – Full refund Within 60 Days – Merchandise credit Online purchases get 7 extra days |
Return Condition | Unworn, unwashed, undamaged, tags attached, hygienic liners in place (for swimwear and underwear) |
Free Returns | In-store returns: Always free Online returns: $5 fee unless you’re a Real Rewards Level , Credit Cardmember or returning Aerie bras, swimsuits, third-party footwear |
Final Sale Items | Cannot be returned or exchanged |
With No Receipt | Can exchange for a different size only |
Return Location | Must be returned in the country where purchased |
100% Happiness Promise: The Basics
American Eagle’s return policy is built around their “100% Happiness Promise.” That means they want you to love what you buy—and if you don’t, they’ll help you fix it.
You can:
- Return within 30 days for a full refund to your original payment method.
- Return within 60 days and get merchandise credit.
- Online purchases come with an extra 7 days added to both windows, giving you up to 37 days for a refund, or 67 days for store credit.
But the items must be:
- Unworn, unwashed, and undamaged
- Tags and labels still attached
- For underwear/swimsuits, hygienic liners must be intact
If you don’t meet these conditions (like if you already wore or washed the item), they may deny the return.
In-Store Returns
Returning items to a physical AE, Aerie, Offline, or AE Factory store is the fastest and easiest way to get your money back or exchange.
You can return:
- Items bought in-store or online
- Items for a full refund, merchandise credit, or an exchange
What you’ll need:
- Your receipt, email confirmation, or order history
- Without proof of purchase, you can only exchange for a different size
Personal Tip: I always keep the email confirmation saved until I know for sure I want to keep what I bought. That email is your ticket to a smooth refund!
Online Returns
Bought something online and need to mail it back? Here’s how it works:
How to Start:
- Go to AE’s returns portal: returns.narvar.com/ae/returns
- Order Details: Fill up the order number and email id as shown in the screenshot below

- Choose your return method:
- Print a shipping label at home
- Or get a digital label to scan at a USPS location
Cost:
- $5 shipping fee is deducted from your refund.
- Free for:
- Real Rewards Level 3 members
- Credit Cardmembers
- Returns of Aerie bras, bralettes, swimsuits, and third-party footwear
Refund Options:
- Instant Credit: Get an AEO e-gift card emailed to you right after starting the return. This is available to all Real Rewards members.
- Original Payment Refund: Takes 5–7 days after AE receives your item.
- Merchandise Return Card: Store credit if you miss the 30-day refund window.
Note: Items bought in-store cannot be returned by mail. They must go back to a store.

Exchanges Made Easy
You can exchange items:
- At any AE, Aerie, or Offline store
- Within 60 days of purchase
- Online orders get 7 extra days for in-store exchanges
No exchanges by mail are allowed. If you want something different (size, color, etc.), you need to:
- Place a new order for the item you want
- Return the original item separately
Afterpay Purchases
Used Afterpay? Here’s what you need to know:
- Your refund depends on what you’ve already paid
- Afterpay will email you with details once AE processes the return
- If you’re refunded via e-gift card, you still need to keep paying Afterpay
Example: Say you paid two installments and then return the item. You’ll get back what you paid so far, minus any fees, and any remaining payments may be canceled depending on how you get refunded.
What Can’t Be Returned?
There are a few cases where AE won’t take items back:
- Final Sale items (they’ll be marked as such when you buy them)
- Items that are:
- Worn
- Washed
- Damaged
- Missing tags
- Missing liners (for swimsuits/underwear)
- Items returned in another country (must return in country of purchase)
- Abuse of return policy or suspected fraud — AE has the right to reject returns they feel are suspicious.
Lost Your Receipt?
You’re not out of luck.
- You can still exchange for a different size.
- You can also use:
- Your order confirmation email
- Your account order history
How to Contact American Eagle for Help
If you’re unsure about your return, need help with a damaged item, or want to talk to someone, here’s how to reach them:
- Live Chat: Available on their website
- Email: Use the contact form at ae.com
- Phone: Call 1 (888) 232-4535
Common Questions
Summary
American Eagle makes returning items easy, especially if you stick to the timelines and keep your items in good condition. Whether you shop online or in-store, now you know exactly what to do if something doesn’t work out.
Have you ever returned something to AE? Share your experience or tips in the comments!
Please Note: Return policies can change over time. While this article aims to provide accurate information based on the policy at the time of writing, it’s always a good idea to double-check the return policy on official American Eagle website for the most up-to-date return policy details. For any specific questions or situations not covered here, the official website or contacting American Eagle Customer Service directly is the best resource.
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