For most people, just signing up for AEO Connected Rewards, which is free and doesn't check your credit, is worth it and a good use of time, and there is no need to take extra time and effort to get an AEO credit card. This is because the credit cards only earn 15 points per $1 spent at American Eagle, while the loyalty program earns 10 points per $1. Yes, you earn 50% more points with the cards, but with the points being worth less than one cent and redeemable only at American Eagle stores, almost any major credit card will get you better rewards than the American Eagle credit cards.