American Eagle Credit Cards Review: Is It Right for You?

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American Eagle Credit Cards offer a range of benefits, including rewards and cashback programs.

The American Eagle Credit Card has a rewards program that earns 3 points per dollar spent on purchases at American Eagle stores.

You can redeem your points for rewards like gift cards, merchandise, and even cash back.

The credit card also offers a sign-up bonus of $20 in rewards after making a purchase within the first 30 days.

With the American Eagle Credit Card, you can enjoy exclusive benefits like early access to sales and special promotions.

The credit card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for international travel.

American Eagle Credit Card Overview

American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) offers two credit cards: the AEO Connected Credit Card and the AEO Connected Visa Credit Card, both issued by Synchrony Bank.

These cards are essentially the same, with the main difference being that the Visa version can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.

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The AEO Connected Credit Card has a $0 annual fee, while the AEO Connected Visa Credit Card also has a $0 annual fee.

Both cards have a variable APR of 28.24%.

You can earn rewards points with either card, with 15 points per $1 spent at AEO/Aerie stores.

Here's a breakdown of the main benefits of the AEO Connected Credit Card and the AEO Connected Visa Credit Card:

Both cards also offer a sign-up bonus, and you'll be automatically enrolled in the AEO Connected Rewards Program when you provide a unique email address upon approval.

You can earn bonus points for using the AEO Connected Visa Credit Card outside of AEO/Aerie stores, with 5 points per $1 spent on all other Visa purchases.

AEO Connected Program

The AEO Connected program is a rewards program offered by American Eagle that allows cardholders to earn points on purchases made at AEO and Aerie stores. You earn 15 points per $1 spent at these stores, but you must use your AEO credit card to receive this benefit.

A Woman Using Her Credit Card and Laptop in Online Shopping
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One of the benefits of the AEO Connected program is the ability to earn rewards. For every 2,500 points you earn, you get a $10 reward. Cardholders will also receive free standard shipping on all purchases made at AE.com and aerie.com when using their AEO credit card.

The program also offers a birthday coupon, which is typically distributed around the first day of your birthday month. This coupon is worth 20% off your purchase and can be accessed online or via the mobile app. Your AEO credit card account must be active and in good standing to receive this coupon.

Cardholders can also earn rewards on their purchases of jeans and bras. For every 5 jeans purchases, you get a free jeans coupon. Similarly, for every 5 bras purchases, you get a free bra coupon. These rewards never expire as long as your account is active, but the coupons will have an expiration date.

As a cardholder, you'll also have access to exclusive events and rewards. You'll get 6 cardholder events each year, and you'll also receive a personal shopping day coupon.

Fees and Charges

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The fees associated with American Eagle credit cards can add up quickly if you're not careful. The AEO Connected Credit Card has no annual fee, which is a big plus for some people.

However, the purchase APR is a whopping 28.24% variable, which can lead to trouble if you carry a balance. The cash advance APR and fee are also noteworthy, especially for the Visa version of the card.

Here's a breakdown of the fees you can expect:

To avoid these fees, it's essential to be a responsible cardholder and pay off your balance on time each month.

Fees and Charges

The American Eagle credit cards have a hefty purchase APR, with a variable rate of 28.24% for the AEO Connected Credit Card and 28.24% for the AEO Connected Visa Credit Card. This is significantly higher than the average for all credit cards that assess interest.

The AEO Connected Visa Credit Card also has a cash advance APR of 29.24% variable, which is even higher than the purchase APR. This can lead to trouble quickly if you carry a balance on this card.

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You'll also want to be aware of the cash advance fee, which is $10 or 5% of each cash advance, whichever is greater, for the AEO Connected Visa Credit Card. This is a significant fee that can add up quickly.

If you plan to travel internationally, you'll want to avoid the AEO Connected Visa Credit Card, which has a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction.

Here's a breakdown of the fees and charges for the American Eagle credit cards:

To avoid these fees and charges, it's essential to be a responsible cardholder and pay off your balance on time each month. This will help you avoid late fees, which can range from $2 to $38, depending on the card.

Take a look at this: Amex Credit Card Fees

Step 2: Pay Off Balance

Paying off your balance is a crucial step before canceling a credit card. You can't cancel a card with a remaining balance.

You can pay off your balance via online banking, by check, or by calling the credit card customer service.

Rewards and Earning

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Earning rewards with your American Eagle credit card is a great perk, and here's how it works. You'll earn 15 points per $1 spent within the AEO family of stores, which includes American Eagle Outfitters, AEO Factory Stores, AE.com, Aerie, and aerie.com.

To give you a better idea, here are some specific earning rates:

  • 15 points per $1 spent within the AEO family of stores
  • 5 points per $1 spent on all other Visa purchases outside the AEO family of stores (for AEO Visa cardholders)

As long as your account is active, your points won't expire, as long as you've made at least 1 qualifying purchase with your card within a rolling 375 day period.

Earning Points

Earning points is a crucial part of the AEO rewards program, and it's great to see that all cardholders, regardless of card type, earn 15 points per $1 spent within the AEO family of stores.

You can earn points at American Eagle Outfitters, AEO Factory Stores, AE.com, Aerie, and aerie.com.

Basic rewards members, on the other hand, earn 10 points per $1 spent.

Gift card purchases and charitable items are excluded from earning points.

For more insights, see: Tier 1 Credit Cards

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If you're an AEO Visa cardholder, you'll also earn 5 points per $1 spent on all other Visa purchases outside the AEO family of stores.

Your points won't expire as long as your account is active, which means making at least one qualifying purchase with your card within a 375-day rolling period.

Here's a breakdown of how points are earned at American Eagle Outfitters:

Keep in mind that earning points is just the first step – redeeming them is where the real rewards come in!

First Purchase Discount

First Purchase Discount is a great perk for new card members. You can get 30% off your first AE or Aerie purchase after opening your account.

New card members can take advantage of this discount on their first purchase. This is a fantastic opportunity to try out the brand without breaking the bank.

To be eligible, you must be a new card member, and the discount is only applicable on your first purchase. Don't miss out on this chance to save some money!

Benefits and Perks

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As an American Eagle credit card holder, you'll enjoy several benefits and perks that make your shopping experience even more rewarding. Becoming a cardholder allows you to take advantage of several perks, including the flexibility to use your card anywhere Visa is accepted.

This flexibility is especially useful when traveling abroad, as you can use your card to make purchases or withdraw cash from ATMs. However, be aware that you'll incur foreign transaction fees.

The AEO Connected Visa Credit Card also offers a generous points bonus: 5 points per $1 spent on all other Visa purchases outside of AEO/Aerie. This is a pretty hefty points bonus, offering more rewards than most other store-branded cards.

Real Visa Benefits

The American Eagle Real Rewards Visa credit card offers some fantastic benefits. Becoming a cardholder allows you to take advantage of several perks.

You can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted, which is a huge plus. This flexibility is a standard feature of Visa cards, but it's still a great advantage.

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The card also offers 5 points per $1 spent on all other Visa purchases outside of AEO/Aerie. This is a pretty hefty points bonus that can really add up.

Neither the American Eagle credit cards nor the AEO Connected Visa Credit Card have an annual fee. This makes them a great option for frequent shoppers.

If you shop enough, your rewards will likely still be available for use, even if you don't shop regularly. The cashback match feature also offers a competitive rate of 18.24%-29.24% Variable.

Upgraded Real Status

Upgraded Real Status is a game-changer for American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) card members. You automatically get upgraded to Level 2 Real Rewards membership level as soon as you become a card member.

As a Level 2 member, you can earn more points per dollar spent, which is 30 points per $1 spent. This is a significant increase from the standard 10 points per dollar spent at Level 1.

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You'll also get access to members-only sales and events, which can help you save even more money. And, you'll get a special birthday coupon for $5 off your next purchase.

To reach Level 3 status, you need to spend at least $350 per calendar year at AEO, Aerie, and OFFL/NE by Aerie with the card. This level gives you even more points per dollar spent, 40 points per $1 spent, and access to more substantial discounts.

Here's a quick rundown of the benefits at each level:

With the American Eagle Real Rewards Visa, you can also earn 5 points for every $1 spent at non-AEO retailers. This can help you rack up points even faster.

Drawbacks and Limitations

If you're considering getting an American Eagle credit card, it's essential to know about the drawbacks and limitations. The American Eagle Real Rewards Visa credit card has some notable downsides.

Bonus category rewards are capped, which means you won't be able to earn as many points as you might expect. This can be a disappointment if you were counting on earning a lot of rewards.

Curious to learn more? Check out: American Eagle Credit Card Telephone Number

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The APR on this card is relatively high, which can lead to more interest charges if you're not paying off your balance in full each month. I've seen friends struggle with high-interest rates on their credit cards.

Secured cards, like the American Eagle Real Rewards Visa credit card, require refundable deposits. This means you'll need to put down some money upfront, which can be a barrier for some people.

Here are some specific limitations to be aware of:

  • Bonus category rewards are capped
  • High APR
  • Requires refundable deposits

Additionally, American Eagle credit card users can't earn elevated points or rewards on purchases from Todd Snyder or Tailgate stores. This might be a bummer if you shop at these stores regularly.

Who Should Get It

If you're a frequent shopper at American Eagle, their credit card is a great option for you. The card offers 3 points for every dollar spent at American Eagle and Aerie, as well as 1 point for every dollar spent elsewhere.

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You can earn rewards on your purchases, redeemable for gift cards, exclusive discounts, and more. American Eagle credit cardholders can also enjoy special perks like free shipping and returns.

To be eligible for the American Eagle credit card, you typically need to have a good credit score, which is considered to be 640 or higher.

Conclusion and Verdict

American Eagle credit cards offer a range of benefits, including 3x miles on purchases in the American Airlines AAdvantage program, with no foreign transaction fees.

The cards also come with a generous sign-up bonus, with the American Eagle AAdvantage MileUp card offering 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.

Ultimately, the best American Eagle credit card for you will depend on your individual needs and travel habits.

Bottom Line

If you're considering applying for a store-branded credit card, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons. The American Eagle credit cards, for example, offer extra rewards points, exclusive sales, and perks like free shipping, but they come with higher than average APRs.

American Eagle
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To make the most of these cards, it's crucial to limit your spending to avoid costly interest charges. Paying off the statement balance in full every month can help you avoid these charges.

If you do decide to apply for one of these cards, make sure to review the terms and conditions carefully. The TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard, another store-branded credit card, has its own set of benefits and drawbacks that you should consider.

To give you a better idea, here are some of the best credit card options to consider:

  • Best Credit Cards of 2025
  • Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
  • Best Cash Back Credit Cards
  • Best First Credit Cards To Build Credit
  • Best Rewards Credit Cards
  • Best Secured Credit Cards
  • Best Business Credit Cards
  • Best Travel Credit Cards
  • Best Credit Cards For International Travel
  • Credit Cards For Bad Credit
  • Pre Approved Credit Cards
  • Best Credit Cards For No Credit

Verdict and Opinion

The American Eagle Outfitters credit card has a nice store and visa credit card that will appeal to those who really shop there often.

If you're a frequent shopper at American Eagle, you might be tempted by this card, but be aware that you don't earn any extra rebates from spending at their stores.

The card used to offer 4 points for every dollar spent at their stores, but now it's just one point per dollar, which is pretty standard.

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I personally think it's not a good idea to get a specialized store credit card if you shop at many stores, as it can get overwhelming to carry around all those cards.

The folks who might benefit from this card are likely parents of teenage kids who love shopping at American Eagle.

If you're looking for a card that offers more rewards, consider the Discover It, which has a shopping portal that can help you save.

Alternatively, if you have average credit and are considering a store card, you might also want to look into the Barclays Rewards MasterCard, which is known for being more lenient with approvals.

If this caught your attention, see: Can Store Credit Cards Build Credit

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do you need for American Eagle?

To be approved for an American Eagle Store Card, you'll need a minimum credit score of 640. This is a standard requirement for many store credit cards.

What credit card does American Eagle use?

American Eagle offers two credit cards: The Real Rewards card for in-store use and The Real Rewards by American Eagle & Aerie Visa Card for worldwide acceptance. The Visa card is the most versatile option, accepted anywhere Visa is accepted.

How hard is it to get an American Eagle card?

To get an American Eagle card, you'll need a good credit score, specifically 640 or better. With a qualifying credit score, you can enjoy the benefits of an American Eagle Outfitters Store Card.

Abraham Lebsack

Lead Writer

Abraham Lebsack is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in finance and insurance. With a focus on educating readers, he has crafted informative articles on critical illness insurance, providing valuable insights and guidance for those navigating complex financial decisions. Abraham's expertise in the field of critical illness insurance has allowed him to develop comprehensive guides, breaking down intricate topics into accessible and actionable advice.

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