The American Eagle Outfitters Connected Visa offers fans of the American Eagle brand a credit card that shows their support for the brand while earning them rewards points that can be spent in stores or online.

Following is a review to show you the value of the AE credit card, framing it within a comparison to other credit cards to demonstrate its areas of excellence and those where it might be lagging a bit behind. Credit cards linked to brands revolve largely around rewards within the brand’s locations, and the American Eagle credit card is no different.

What is the American Eagle Outfitters Connected™ Visa®?

The AE credit card is a Visa-backed credit card that is interlinked with the American Eagle brand. The product can be used anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Rewards point accrue for every $1 spent, and the points grow faster for purchases made in American Eagle’s stores or online marketplace. The rewards points may be redeemed for credit that can be applied to to purchase American Eagle products.

Product Specs

The link to the American Eagle brand is the most unique factor of the AE credit card, as without the link it would be merely a Visa credit card with a moderate rewards program. Upon reaching spending of $350 annually however, the rewards percentage increases to 3%, making the this credit card’s rewards program markedly more competitive. Otherwise the approximate reward is 2% for those spending under the $350 threshold.

The most important features of cards beyond the APR rates are the promotions and benefits that are allotted to the card. Many cards, including the AE credit card, offer sign-on bonus incentives. The first benefit realized by the AE credit card customer is the 25% discount on the first purchase made after opening and using the AEO Connected credit card. An additional perk that adjoins the card is free shipping on all purchases made through American Eagle’s online store using the card.

The rewards for use of the card can be applied to purchases at American Eagle’s locations or online store. For every $1 spent on the credit card, the cardholder is rewarded with 15 points. For every 2,500 points accrued, you receive a $10 reward. This means that approximately $166 must be spent to receive a $10 reward. For other purchases, you earn 5 points for every $1 spent.

Beyond the bonus points to be earned there are a variety of other perks and bonuses associated with the American Eagle Outfitters Connected Visa. Each cardholder gets a 20% coupon they may use for their birthday. If 5 pairs of jeans are purchased, the sixth pair is free, with the same promotion applying to bra purchases.

In terms of in-store promotions the AE credit card comes with a personal shopping day coupon, and the stores hold 6 cardholder events each year. These added perks differentiate the card, although with a maximum return of 3%, may not differentiate it enough from the competition to make it the obvious choice. Points earned do not expire as long as the account is active, which requires that a purchase be made at least once each 375-day rolling time period.

Pricing

The card does not have an annual fee, which is beneficial to the user, with rewards depending upon the amount of money spent, whether under or over $350 each year. Beyond the lack of an annual fee, the APR of the card is relatively high at 25.24%.

How it Compares

We picked a couple of similar products available on the market to see how they compare.

• Citi® Double Cash Card
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
• American Express Cash Magnet℠

American Eagle Outfitters Connected™ Visa®

Price - $ of $, $$, $$$

$0 annual fee.

Ease of Use - 5 stars

The AE credit card can be used anywhere that accepts the Visa credit card.

Application Process - 4 stars

Apply for the card online for nearly instant approval.

APR – 3 stars

The APR of the AE credit card is relatively high at 25.24%.

Benefits/Rewards - 3 stars

The benefits for using the AE credit card are capped at 3%, expire if a purchase isn’t made each 375 days, and points can only be redeemed at American Eagle or Aerie locations. The discount on the initial purchase of 20% is not limited however, and so the main benefit of singing up for the card may be realized through the initial purchase.

Citi® Double Cash Card

The Citi Double Cash card is a general-use credit card that has a highly competitive cash back bonus program in lieu of a points program, new-member promotions include a significant amount of cash back potential, and the APR offered is highly competitive.

Price $ of $, $$, $$$

Can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted

Application Process – 5 stars

Apply online or in the many Citibank locations across the nation

APR – 5 stars

There is an introductory APR rate of 0% for 18 months, then it is variable from 15.24% to 25.24% depending on creditworthiness. The foreign transaction fee is 3%, and cash advances are possible, with the fee being $10 or 5% of the total amount advanced.

Benefits – 5 stars

The user gets 1% cash back when all purchases made, and an additional 1% on all purchases when the bill is paid. The overall 2% cash back rate is the highest of the cards surveyed herein, and is the most versatile means of rewards in that it is cash.The benefits of the Citi Bank Double Cash card extend beyond the cash rewards. The introductory promotional period of one and a half years without interest is also substantial and the leading offer of all cards surveyed.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday card is one of two cash back credit cards offered by American Express, the Blue Cash Everyday, and the Blue Cash Preferred. The blue Cash Everyday card has the benefit of no annual fee and can generate significant cash back earnings for the normal consumer.

Price - $ of $, $$, $$$

There is no annual fee for the Blue Cash Everyday card.

Ease of Use - 3 stars

Can be used anywhere American Express is accepted.

Application Process – 4 stars

Apply online.

APR – 4 stars

Depending upon the credit worthiness of the applicant, the APR ranges from 14.74% to 25.74%. Good or excellent credit is needed to be approved.

Benefits/Rewards – 4 stars

The reward system of the American Express Everyday Cash Card are comparable to the Citi Double Cash card explored above, although not quite as good in many respects, hence the 4 stars. There is a $150 statement credit after you’ve spent $1,000 in purchases during the first three months. The cash back that can be realized varies depending upon the location in which it is spent. 3% cash back is given at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in annual grocery purchases, 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

There is a further benefit of a 0% APR rate for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, then the variable rate begins. There is no interest charged on purchases that are repaid within the billing period, and thus while the APR may be somewhat high after the promotional period, it need not be incurred through timely payments.

American Express Cash Magnet℠

The American Express Cash Magnet card is one that is noted for its cash back rewards program, and ability to generate strong short-term rewards through the use of the card. The returns rate is strong all-around and can be redeemed for cash as opposed to specifically-branded items.

This particular credit card is a strong contender against the Citi Double Cash card. However, as will be demonstrated, the capacity to earn cash back does not reach that of the Citi Double Cash card, which is the most competitive card on the market given the high level of rewards, and the ability to spend cash rewards anywhere.

Price - $ of $, $$, $$$

No annual fee on the American Express Cash Magnet credit card.

Ease of Use – 4 stars

Can be used anywhere American Express is accepted.

Application Process - 4 stars

Apply online.

APR – 4 stars

The APR is variable at 14.74% to 25.74%. There is an initial introductory period of 0% APR that lasts for 15 months after opening the card, and applies to both purchases and balance transfers.

Benefits/Rewards – 5 stars

The benefits associated with the American Express Cash Magnet credit card are particularly strong. There is an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, making the scope of the card’s cash back rewards close to the Citi Double Cash card.

The new cardholder is also eligible to receive up to $250 in statement credits. If you spend $1,000 or more in the first three months of card membership, a $150 statement credit is earned, and if $6,500 in purchases are made over the first 12 months, an additional $100 statement credit is rewarded. Through the Plan It feature, large purchases can be managed with monthly payment plans at a fixed monthly fee with no interest charges, coupled with the other rewards and promotions associated with the card.

Conclusion

The AE credit card is a useful means of generating rewards points on American Eagle and Aerie purchases, and in particular to save 20% on the first purchase made when opening the card. However, upon having opened the card, the maximum return that can be realized is 3%. The 3% return applies only to purchases made at American Eagle or Aerie stores or online marketplaces. The rewards that can be gained from the card can only be spent at American Eagle and Aerie locations. For general purchases, the return is 1%, in terms of the American Eagle points that are rewarded through the use of the credit card.

AE credit card rating: 2 stars

The AE credit card is not particularly competitive in terms of the rewards it offers, or the places the rewards can be spent. The rewards are 1% for general purchases, and 2-3% for American Eagle purchases, depending upon whether the $350 threshold is met. Rewards can only be redeemed at American Eagle locations, and if the card is not used to make a purchase each 375 days, the points expire.

The American Eagle Outfitters Connected Visa credit card offers a great introductory purchase discount of 20%, but beyond that a non-competitive rewards system with a high APR rate, and thus the card may be useful for a large purchase and to reap the points rewards thereof, but there are better everyday use credit cards to generate greater rewards.