Rewards Plan
Welcome Bonus
Credit Rating
0% Intro
Annual Fee
APR
- Level 2 Rewards Status
- Pick Your Own Sale Day
- Inflexible Rewards
- Low Redemption Rate
Rewards Plan
Welcome Bonus
0% Intro
PROS
- Level 2 Rewards Status
- Pick Your Own Sale Day
CONS
- Inflexible Rewards
- Low Redemption Rate
APR
28.24%
Annual Fee
$0
Balance Transfer Fee
N/A
Credit Requirements
Fair - Good
The American Eagle credit card is essentially a store card, offering access to Level 2 rewards program benefits and some other nice perks. If you’re brand loyal to American Eagle, it could be a good card for your wallet.
However, unless you opt for the American Eagle Visa card, you won’t be able to use your card outside of AE and Aerie. Additionally, you won’t be able to earn “cashback” on your purchases, as you would with many other types of reward credit cards.
So, if you’re prepared to only earn rewards and spend rewards within the AE brand, this card could be a good pick for you. But, the APR is quite high, so you’ll need to make sure that you don’t carry a balance.
- Automatic Level 2 Rewards Status
- Pick Your Own Sale Day
- Double Points on Jeans
- Birthday Gift
- Free Shipping and Returns
- Choose Your Own Card Design
- Exclusive Sale Access
- Inflexible Rewards
- Low Redemption Rate
- Reward Expiration
How do I redeem rewards?
Rewards are automatically emailed to you if you have sufficient points. You’ll need 1,250 points for a $5 voucher, up to a maximum of $60 in rewards. You can then apply your reward coupons to your purchases at check out.
How hard is it to get an American Eagle credit card?
You need to have fair to good credit to qualify for an American Eagle credit card, so if you have fairly decent credit, you shouldn’t have any difficulties getting the card.
When it may not be a good idea?
This card is not a good idea unless you are completely brand loyal to American Eagle. Since the points and rewards are tied to the brand, if you do not shop with AE on a regular basis, you won’t be able to fully leverage the card features and benefits.
In this Review
Pros and Cons
Just like any other credit card, the American Eagle credit card has some advantages and disadvantages:
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Automatic Level 2 Rewards Status | Inflexible Rewards |
Pick Your Own Sale Day | Low Redemption Rate |
Double Points on Jeans | Reward Expiration |
Birthday Gift | |
Free Shipping and Returns | |
Choose Your Own Card Design | |
Exclusive Sale Access |
- Automatic Level 2 Rewards Status
As a cardholder, you’ll automatically have Level 2 status within the Real Rewards program. You don’t have to meet any spending requirement, and it unlocks a variety of benefits.
- Pick Your Own Sale Day
Every cardholder will receive an email with a coupon, which allows you to pick your own sales day each year.
During your sale, you can receive 20% off all your purchases. If you don’t receive your coupon or lose the email, you can message the customer service team and they will resend you your coupon.
- Double Points on Jeans
If jeans are a staple in your wardrobe, you’ll appreciate this card benefit. Since this is a rewards program credit card, you can access this benefit and it includes sale, clearance and full price jeans.
However, it doesn’t include other denim items such as skirts, jackets, shirts and shorts, or third party items.
- Birthday Gift
You will receive a 20% off birthday offer that you can use during your birthday month. American Eagle sends out birthday offers during the first seven days of the month.
So, when your birthday is approaching, watch out for the email in your inbox.
- Free Shipping and Returns
When you use your card to make purchases with AE.com, the Aerie mobile app or place a direct phone order, you can enjoy free standard shipping along with free returns. This applies to the U.S, Canada and Puerto Rico.
- Choose Your Own Card Design
The final benefit is that you can choose the design on your American Eagle credit card. There are currently three design choices available.
- Inflexible Rewards
The rewards for this card are only available in $5 increments up to a maximum of $60 per time. The rewards are automatically generated and typically issued each month.
This means that you are not in control of when you redeem rewards. You will typically receive your reward via email approximately 15 to 21 days after reaching the minimum point requirement. Additionally, you can only use your rewards at AE or Aerie.
- Low Redemption Rate
There is a set point redemption value of 1250 points equals $5. This works out to an individual point value of $0.004 each.
This is far less than the redemption rate of many programs, which typically offer one penny per point.
- Reward Expiration
There are expirations for points and your auto issued rewards. If you don’t make a minimum of one purchase during a rolling 375 day period, you’ll only have 60 days from the date of issue to use your rewards.
- Exclusive Sale Access
As a cardholder, you can also enjoy exclusive access to sales events that are not open to non members of the Real Rewards program.
Sign Up for
Our Newsletter
and special member-only perks.
Sign Up for
Our Newsletter
and special member-only perks.
Who is the American Eagle Credit Card Best For?
Since this is essentially a store card, the American Eagle credit card is best suited to those who are highly brand loyal. If you typically shop with the brand on a regular basis, having numerous discount coupons and sales events throughout the year are likely to benefit you, particularly if you like AE jeans.
The card could also be a good option for those who don’t want the temptation of being able to run up a bill outside of the brand. If you struggle with credit card discipline, you may find the lack of flexibility for this card helpful. However, you can use the card to work on your credit, as it is available for those with fair credit and the activity will be reported to the credit bureaus.
If you are looking for an alternative co-branded, clothing store card – here are some options:
Card | Rewards | Bonus | Annual Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1X – 5X
5 points for every dollar spent at Banana Republic, Gap, Athleta and Old Navy. 1 point per dollar on all other purchases | 20% off your first order
20% off your first order at Banana Republic
| $0 | |
| 2X – 5X
spend $1,200 or more annually to get 5X points per dollar on purchases made at Macy's, 3X points if you spend $500 to $1199 and 2X points if you spend up to $500. Also, get 3X points at restaurants including delivery, 2X at gas stations & supermarkets and 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else
| 25% discount
25% discount on Macy's on the day you are approved and the following day, up to $100
| $0 | |
| 1% – 5%
5% back on Sears + 5% eligible gasoline purchases, 3% back on grocery stores and restaurants (limited to the first $10,000 of qualifying payments, then 1% thereafter), plus 2% back when used at eligible merchants such as Sears or Kmart, and 1% on all other purchases
| None | $0 | |
| 7.5%
7.5% cash back on Kohl’s purchases | %35 off on first purchase
35% off on the first Kohl’s Card purchase you make within 14 days of opening your Kohl’s Card | $0 | |
| 5%
1 point for every dollar at JCPenney, 200 points worth $10 -> $10 per $200 spend on JCPenney = 5% back
| Extra 5% – 35% off
Extra 5% – 35% off on selected merchants in the first purchase on the same day the card has been opened
| $0 | |
| 1% – 5%
5% (10 points) back in rewards at Victoria Secret or PINK, 2% (4 points) on dining, travel and streaming services and 1% (2 points) on all other purchases
| $25
$25 off in first purchase
| $0 | |
| 1x – 2x
2X points per dollar spent at Nordstrom and its brands, including Nordstrom Rack, and 1X points on all other purchases
| $10 – $20
$10 Nordstrom Note for Members and Influencers. $20 Nordstrom Notefor Ambassadors and Icons.
| $0 |
How To Maximize The American Eagle Card
As a store credit card, there are some ways to make the most of this card:
-
Plan for Semi Annual Spending
If you like to refresh your wardrobe regularly, you can make use of the birthday and Pick Your Own Sale Day coupons. Since you know you’ll get a 20% off coupon for use during your birthday month, you can use your sale day coupon another season.
-
Always Use Your Card for Purchases
This is fairly obvious since this is a store card, but if you don’t use your card when you make a purchase, you won’t qualify for free standard shipping or free returns.
-
Shop for Sale and Clearance Jeans
You’ll still get double points on jeans purchases even if they are marked down in a sale or clearance. This means that you can get some great new jeans at a great price and boost your reward balance.
FAQs
Can I get pre-approved?
No, pre approval is not offered for the American Eagle credit card.
What are card income requirements?
There are no official income requirements for the card, but you do need fair to good credit to qualify. So, while your income will be assessed, it is not the only factor for consideration when making an approval decision.
Does the card provide travel insurance?
No, unfortunately, the American Eagle credit card does not offer any insurance benefits including travel insurance.
Compare American Eagle Credit Card
The American Eagle credit card offers a higher cash-back rewards ratio than Banana Republic but doesn't offer rewards on other categories.
American Eagle vs Banana Republic Credit Card: Side By Side Comparison
The AE wins if you use your credit card only on American Eagle or Victoria's Secret. But what if you plan to use it outside these brands?
American Eagle vs Victoria Secret Credit Card: Side By Side Comparison
