Aeropostale Return Policy

So you bought something from Aeropostale and now you need to send it back. Maybe the jeans are a little snug, or that graphic tee looked better on screen than in real life. Understanding the Aeropostale return policy can save you a headache and maybe a few dollars too.

As of 2026, the standard return window sits at 45 days. That’s a solid month and a half to decide if something stays or goes. But there’s a catch.

If you don’t have your receipt, you’ll only get store credit at the item’s lowest selling price. Let’s walk through exactly how this policy works so you can get your money back or swap for what you actually want.

Quick Answer

Aeropostale allows returns within 45 days of purchase. Items must be unworn with tags attached. A receipt gives you a full refund.

Without one, you get store credit at the lowest selling price. Online returns cost $5.99. In-store returns are free.

How Aeropostale’s Return Policy Actually Works

Aeropostale’s return policy comes down to three questions. Do you have proof of purchase? Are you inside the 45-day window?

Did you buy online or in-store? Your answers determine what happens next.

The policy covers almost everything sold on their website and in US stores. That includes hoodies, jeans, t-shirts, accessories, and most sale items. The rule is simple.

Items need to be in new condition. That means no stains, no smells, no signs of wear. All original tags must still be attached.

If you cut off the hang tag, you’re going to have a harder time.

Aeropostale doesn’t charge a restocking fee. That’s a win for you. But they can refuse a return if the item shows use, has pet hair, smells like perfume, or is missing tags.

The store associate has some discretion here. Be polite and have your items in good shape, and you’ll almost always be fine.

One thing that surprises shoppers: you can return an online order to any Aeropostale store for free. That’s often the smarter move because you avoid the $5.99 shipping fee. Just bring the packing slip or email confirmation.

Decision Point 1: Do You Have Your Receipt?

This is the single most important question in the whole return process. If you have your receipt, you’re in a great spot. You can get a full refund back to your original payment method.

Money goes back on your credit card, debit card, PayPal, or whatever you used.

If you don’t have a receipt, your options get narrower. Aeropostale offers store credit only. And here’s the part that stings.

They’ll give you the lowest selling price for that item during the return period, not what you actually paid. If that jacket was $40 when you bought it but dropped to $25 on clearance, you’re getting $25 in store credit.

There’s one exception. If you have the credit or debit card you used to purchase the item, an associate might be able to look up the transaction. Aeropostale’s system can sometimes pull up your purchase history using the card number.

It’s not guaranteed at every store, but it’s worth asking. If they find the transaction, you’re treated like you have the receipt.

For gift returns without a receipt, bring the gift receipt if you have it. Without any proof, the gift receiver gets store credit at the lowest price.

Decision Point 2: Are You Within the 45-Day Window?

Aeropostale gives you 45 days from the date of purchase. That’s measured from the transaction date, not the day you received the package. If you ordered something online and it took a week to arrive, your clock was already ticking.

Count carefully. The date on your receipt or order confirmation email is day one. You have 45 calendar days from that date.

Weekends and holidays count. There’s no grace period after day 45.

If you’re past that 45-day mark, the policy is firm. No returns, no exchanges. There’s no published late return option.

You can try contacting customer service, but don’t expect much. Your best bet is to resell the item or donate it.

Holiday exception. Aeropostale usually extends the return window for holiday purchases. If you buy something between November 1 and December 24, the return deadline shifts to January 15 of the following year. This applies to both online and in-store purchases.

Double check the exact dates on their website each year.

Decision Point 3: Online Purchase or In-Store Purchase?

Where you bought it changes how you return it, but not whether you can.

If you bought it online. You have two choices. Option A: return it by mail. Option B: take it to a physical Aeropostale store.

Option B is smarter because it’s free and faster. Just bring the item with tags attached and your packing slip or order confirmation. The store associate will process it on the spot.

If you choose to mail it back, log into your Aeropostale account. Go to your order history and initiate the return. No prepaid return label comes in the package.

You have to generate it through the website. A $5.99 shipping fee will be deducted from your refund.

If you bought it in-store. Your only option is to go back to a physical Aeropostale location. You cannot return an in-store purchase through the mail. Hold onto that receipt and plan a trip to the mall.

One more thing. If you bought online using a gift card, you can still return to the store. The refund goes to a new gift card or store credit.

Bring the physical gift card if you still have it.

Step-by-Step: How to Return Online (Including Shipping Fees)

Returning an online purchase through the mail takes a few more steps. Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Log into your Aeropostale account. Go to their website and sign in. Click on “My Account” then “Order History.” Find the order with the items you want to return.

Step 2: Select the items. Check the box next to each item you’re sending back. Choose the return reason from the dropdown menu. This doesn’t affect your refund amount.

Step 3: Generate your return label. The system creates a prepaid shipping label. You can print it at home or get a QR code to scan at a UPS drop-off location. The QR code option saves you from needing a printer.

Step 4: Pack the items securely. Use the original box or any sturdy box. Include all items with tags attached. Put the packing slip inside if you still have it.

Seal the box well.

Step 5: Ship it back. Attach the label to the outside of the box. Drop it off at any UPS location. You can schedule a pickup through UPS for an extra fee.

What about the $5.99 shipping fee? This comes out of your refund. If your item cost $30, you’ll get back about $24. There’s no way around it for mail returns.

How long does it take? Once the warehouse receives your package, processing takes 3 to 5 business days. Then your refund is issued. Total time from drop-off to money in your account is usually 7 to 10 business days.

Pro tip. Take a photo of the package with the label visible before you drop it off. That gives you proof you shipped it. If the package gets lost, that photo helps customer service sort things out faster.

Step-by-Step: How to Return In-Store (Free & Fast)

This is the easier route. No shipping fees, no waiting for a label, no packing tape.

Step 1: Gather your items and proof of purchase. Bring the items with all tags still attached. Also bring your receipt, packing slip, order confirmation email, or the credit card you used. The more evidence you have, the smoother it goes.

Step 2: Go to any Aeropostale store. You don’t have to return to the exact location where you bought the item. Any US Aeropostale store will process the return. That includes outlet stores, though some have slightly different rules.

Step 3: Hand everything to the associate. They’ll scan the items, check the condition, and pull up your purchase. If you have the receipt, they refund to your original payment method. If not, you get store credit.

Step 4: Choose your outcome. You can take the refund, exchange the item, or get store credit. Exchanges are instant. You pick the replacement, pay any price difference, and walk out with it.

Online purchases returned in-store. Yes, you can do this. The store associate processes it like an in-store return. Your refund goes back to the original payment method.

No shipping fee is deducted. This is the best option if you have a store nearby.

Timeline for in-store refunds. Money shows up in your account faster than with mail returns. Usually within 3 to 5 business days. Sometimes it hits your card in 24 hours.

What if the store says no? It’s rare, but it happens. Usually because the item looks used, tags are missing, or you’re past 45 days. Be polite.

Ask to speak with a manager if you think the decision is unfair.

What to Do If You Don’t Have a Receipt

Returning without a receipt is possible. It’s just not as generous.

Your only outcome is store credit. Aeropostale will not give you cash back. They will not refund your debit or credit card. You get a merchandise credit you can only spend at Aeropostale.

The store credit is for the lowest selling price. Aeropostale’s system tracks the price history of every item using the SKU number. It automatically calculates the lowest price the item has ever been sold for. If you bought a hoodie for $55 and it went on sale for $35, you’re getting $35.

How is the store credit delivered? You’ll receive either a physical gift card or a paper voucher with a barcode. The associate hands it to you right there. You can use it immediately on your next purchase.

Can you use the gift card online? Yes. The physical gift card has a code you can enter during checkout on the Aeropostale website. The paper voucher usually works in-store only.

Ask the associate which one you’re getting.

What if you have the credit card but no receipt? This is your best backup. The store’s system can sometimes look up purchases made with a specific card. Not guaranteed at every register.

But if it works, you get a full refund to your card.

What about returns from outlet stores? Outlet returns without a receipt follow the same rules. But outlet merchandise often has a lower lowest price, so your store credit may be smaller.

Can someone else return a gift without a receipt? Yes. The recipient can return it as long as the tags are on and the item is in new condition. They’ll get store credit at the lowest price.

If you gave the gift with a gift receipt, they should use that instead.

Common Return Problems and How to Fix Them

Even with a clear policy, things go wrong. Here are the most frequent issues and what to do.

Problem: Refund not showing up after two weeks. Check your bank or card statement first. Sometimes the refund looks different from the original charge. Look for “Aeropostale” or a reference number.

If it’s not there, call Aeropostale customer service with your return tracking number. Some banks take 10 to 14 business days.

Problem: Return request rejected online. This usually means the item is outside the 45-day window or was marked as final sale. Check your purchase date in your order history. If you’re past 45 days, the system blocks the return automatically.

No override online. Try taking the item to a store, but don’t expect a different outcome.

Problem: Store refuses return because tags are missing. Aeropostale’s policy requires tags. Without them, the associate can say no. Some stores might still accept the item as a courtesy, but it’s not guaranteed.

Ask politely. If they say no, your only option is to keep the item or resell it.

Problem: Received the wrong item or a defective product. This is different from a standard return. If Aeropostale shipped you the wrong size, color, or a damaged item, they should cover the return shipping. Contact customer service.

They’ll likely email you a prepaid label or arrange a pickup. You shouldn’t pay the $5.99 fee for their mistake.

Problem: Gift card doesn’t work online. Gift card codes are case sensitive. Enter the code exactly as it appears. If it still doesn’t work, check the balance on Aeropostale’s website.

If the balance shows zero and you never used it, contact customer service with the card number and proof of purchase.

Problem: Lost the return label. Log back into your account. Go to your order history and find the return you initiated. There should be an option to reprint the label.

If not, call customer service and they can resend it.

Problem: Item was final sale but you didn’t know. Final sale items are clearly marked on the product page and at checkout. But sometimes shoppers miss the notice. If you bought a final sale item, you cannot return it for any reason.

Not for size issues, not for color preference. The only exception is if the item arrived defective.

What You Can’t Return (Final Sale & Exceptions)

Not everything at Aeropostale is returnable. Knowing what’s excluded saves you time.

Final sale items. These are typically clearance products, marked-down seasonal items, and special promotion pieces. They’re clearly labeled “Final Sale” on the product page and at checkout. Once you buy them, they’re yours.

No returns, no exchanges unless defective.

Swimwear without hygienic liner. If you remove or damage the adhesive hygiene strip in swim bottoms, the store will likely refuse the return. Keep the liner intact if you plan to return them.

Intimate apparel. Some stores may refuse returns on bras and underwear unless the packaging is unopened. Policy varies by location. Keep the tags on and don’t try them on without the liner.

Gift cards. You cannot return a gift card for cash. Aeropostale gift cards are non-refundable. If you received one and don’t want it, resell it on a gift card exchange site or use it yourself.

Items that are worn, washed, or damaged by you. If the item has stains, smells, has pet hair, or shows wear, the store can refuse it. They can also refuse it if it’s been washed and shrunk.

Items missing tags. Tags must be attached. If you cut them off, you lose your return eligibility. Some stores might still help, but don’t count on it.

Items past the 45-day window. This is the hardest rule. No published grace period. No late return program.

Once day 46 hits, Aeropostale is within their rights to say no.

Outlet store purchases. Most outlet merchandise follows standard policy. But some outlet items are marked as final sale. Always check the tag or ask at checkout.

You cannot return outlet items to a non-outlet Aeropostale store in some cases.

Refund Timelines: When Will Your Money Show Up?

Once you’ve handed your return to a store associate or dropped it at UPS, the waiting game begins.

In-store refunds are fastest. The associate processes the return right at the register. Your refund hits your account within 3 to 5 business days on average. Many shoppers see it in 24 to 48 hours if their bank handles transactions quickly.

Credit cards tend to post faster than debit cards.

Online returns take longer. After you ship the package, Aeropostale’s warehouse needs 3 to 5 business days to receive and process it. Then they issue the refund. That adds up to 7 to 10 business days total from drop-off to money in your account.

Add a couple more days if you shipped on a Friday or before a holiday.

What about store credit? If you return without a receipt, you get a physical gift card or voucher on the spot. No waiting. You can use it immediately.

PayPal refunds. If you paid through PayPal, the refund goes back to your PayPal balance. That usually happens within 24 hours of Aeropostale issuing it. Then you can transfer it to your bank, which takes another 1 to 3 business days.

Gift card refunds. If you paid with a gift card and return the item, the refund goes to a new gift card or store credit. That’s issued immediately at the store or within 24 hours for online returns.

Delayed refunds. If it’s been more than 10 business days since you dropped off an online return, check your tracking number. Confirm the package was delivered. If it shows delivered, contact Aeropostale customer service.

Exchanges vs. Refunds: Which One Saves You Money?

This is a practical choice. The right decision depends on why you’re returning and what you want next.

Exchanges are almost always free. Whether you do it in-store or online, exchanging for a different size or color costs you nothing. No return shipping fee. No extra charge.

You just pay any price difference if the new item costs more. If it costs less, they refund the difference.

Refunds sometimes cost you. Online refunds have that $5.99 shipping fee deducted. In-store refunds are free. If you’re planning to buy something else from Aeropostale anyway, an exchange can save you that fee.

When to choose an exchange. You like the item but the size is wrong. Or you want a different color. Or you’re replacing a defective item with the same thing.

Exchange is the cleaner path. No money leaves your account. No waiting for a refund to post before you buy again.

When to choose a refund. You don’t want anything else from Aeropostale. Or you found a better item elsewhere. Or you need the cash back.

Take the refund and move on.

The exchange process in-store. Bring the original item and receipt. Tell the associate you want an exchange. They’ll scan the new item and adjust the price.

You pay or get refunded the difference. Walk out with the new item. Takes about 5 minutes.

The exchange process online. Initiate a return online and choose “exchange” instead of refund. Aeropostale ships the replacement after they receive your original. That means you’re without the item for about two weeks.

Some shoppers find it faster to just return and repurchase.

A note on price differences. If you bought a hoodie on sale for $30 and it’s now $50, exchanging for the same hoodie in a different size costs you $20 extra. In that case, refund and wait for the next sale.

Gift exchanges. If you received an item as a gift and have the gift receipt, you can exchange it for something else. The giver won’t know.

Holiday Return Extension – What Changes

The holiday season changes the return game. Aeropostale typically extends the return window for purchases made between early November and Christmas Eve.

The standard extension. Items bought between November 1 and December 24 can be returned through January 15 of the next year. That gives you about 45 to 75 days depending on when you bought. It covers both online and in-store purchases.

Why this matters. If you bought a gift on Black Friday and the recipient doesn’t open it until Christmas, you still have until January 15 to return it. That’s plenty of time. No rushing to the mall on December 26.

Does the extension apply to final sale items? No. Final sale stays final sale. Even during the holidays, clearance items cannot be returned.

Does the extension apply to refunds? Yes. You get the same refund options as during the standard policy. With receipt, you get money back.

Without receipt, you get store credit at the lowest price.

What about exchanges during the holiday period? Exchanges follow the same rules. You can exchange any eligible item until January 15. After that, you’re back to the standard 45-day window.

A word of caution. The exact dates can shift slightly each year. Check Aeropostale’s website in late October or early November for the official holiday return policy announcement.

After January 15. The standard 45-day clock resumes. If you bought something on January 10, you have until late February to return it.

Final Decision Guide: Your Best Return Path in 3 Steps

Here’s a simple decision tree to get you through the return process with the least hassle.

Step 1: Check your timeline. Find your purchase date. Is it within 45 days? If yes, proceed.

If no, are you within the holiday extension? If neither, you’re out of luck.

Step 2: Check your receipt status. Do you have the receipt, order confirmation, or the card you used? If yes, you can get a full refund. If no, you’re getting store credit at the lowest price.

Step 3: Choose your return method. Can you get to a physical Aeropostale store? If yes, go there. It’s free, fast, and you get your refund or exchange on the spot.

If no, start the online return process. Pay the $5.99 fee and ship it back.

One more tip. Before you return, ask yourself if it’s worth it. The $5.99 fee and the trip to the store might not be worth it for a $15 t-shirt. Focus your return energy on bigger purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return Aeropostale items after 45 days?

No, not under standard policy. The only exception is the holiday extension for purchases made between November 1 and December 24, which extends the deadline to January 15.

How long does Aeropostale take to refund for online returns?

Typically 7 to 10 business days from drop-off. That includes 3 to 5 days for shipping and 3 to 5 days for warehouse processing and refund issuance.

Can I return opened products to Aeropostale?

Yes, as long as the item is in new condition with tags attached. Opened packaging doesn’t matter. But if the item shows signs of wear or washing, they may refuse it.

Can I return online orders to Aeropostale stores?

Yes. This is the best option. Take the item and your packing slip or order confirmation to any Aeropostale store.

No shipping fee is deducted.

Does Aeropostale offer free returns?

In-store returns are always free. Online returns cost $5.99, deducted from your refund. The exception is defective or wrong items, where Aeropostale covers the shipping.

Can I exchange instead of getting a refund?

Yes. Exchanges are free in-store and online. In-store exchanges are instant.

Online exchanges require you to ship the item back first, then they send the replacement.

What if I lost my receipt but have the credit card I used?

Bring the card to the store. The associate may be able to look up your purchase in their system. If they find it, you can get a full refund to that card.

It’s not guaranteed at every location.

Can I return a gift to Aeropostale without a receipt?

Yes, if you have the gift receipt. Without any receipt, you can still return it for store credit at the item’s lowest selling price. The giver won’t be notified.

Are final sale items ever returnable?

Only if they arrive defective. For any other reason, final sale items cannot be returned or exchanged. Check the product page carefully before buying.

How do I contact Aeropostale customer service about a return?

Visit the Aeropostale website and navigate to the customer service section. They offer live chat and email support. Phone support is available during business hours.

Check the site for the most current contact information.

About This Guide

ReturnPolicys.com independently researches publicly available policy information to help consumers understand return, refund, and exchange processes. We are not affiliated with the companies mentioned unless clearly stated.