Free DSW Gift Card – My User Experience and Tips (2025)
Last Update: November 25, 2025
Author: Jodie Collins
Head Editor and Gift Card review expert
Tester: Bennett Easton
Product Review Expert and Co-Head Editor
How I Tested earning a Free DSW Gift Card
I set out to earn a free DSW gift card by completing a focused mix of four offers that balance speed, eligibility, and predictable tracking. I chose Albert (1,500 pts), Opencare (1,400 pts), Paramount+ (450 pts), and Kikoff (250 pts). In my testing, pending points typically appeared in my account within 15–48 hours, then converted to tradable points after roughly 30 days. Results vary by user, eligibility, and tracking; always review offer terms in Earn.llc.
Why these four? Two are light-lift digital tasks that track quickly, one is a mainstream subscription with clear confirmation signals, and one builds credit history with straightforward verification. Together they covered different verification rails—email, bank link, and ID checks—without heavy spend. The point math also works: 3,600 pts total equals $36, which redeems in $5 increments. I redeemed $35 for DSW and kept 100 pts. No guarantees; this is simply what posted for me under normal conditions.
Earning Points and Redeeming for a DSW Card
I started on a Tuesday at 9:10 a.m. by tapping Start on Albert, then Continue to bank link. The Plaid-style screen loaded my bank list; I selected Chase, passed a one-time passcode, and saw “Success — account linked.” I received an email titled “Welcome to Albert — You’re in” within two minutes. Tracking showed as pending in under an hour. A small snag: the first micro-deposit check didn’t display; I force-closed the app, retried the Accounts tab, and it refreshed. Pending points appeared later that afternoon.
Next, I completed Opencare at 1:42 p.m. The flow asked for ZIP, insurance, and “Book an appointment.” I tapped Book Now, picked a Thursday morning slot, and got an email “Opencare — Appointment Confirmed.” A captcha failed on my first attempt; I retyped it slowly and it went through. The confirmation screen displayed a six-character reference like OC-7F2KQ9. Pending points did not appear instantly; they showed up the next morning around 9:30 a.m. Tip: keep the confirmation email and take a quick screenshot of the appointment page.
Paramount+ was simple. At 3:05 p.m. I tapped Start, opened the Paramount+ landing page, and signed up with the same email I use on Earn. The headline button said Start Free Trial; I confirmed the plan, saw “Your trial has begun,” and got “Welcome to Paramount+” seconds later. Tracking registered as pending within about 45 minutes. I also set a phone reminder to cancel before the renewal window. If you’re using a privacy card, confirm the merchant descriptor matches the offer terms to avoid disqualification.
I finished with Kikoff that evening at 7:18 p.m. I tapped Start, created an account, and went through a brief ID check. The selfie step asked me to retake once due to low light; I moved near a lamp and it passed. I received an email “Kikoff — You’re approved” about 20 minutes later. Pending points posted overnight. Across all four offers, my pending points reached my account within 15–48 hours. After roughly 30 days, they automatically converted to tradable points. I then redeemed $35 for a DSW gift card in $5 increments and kept 100 pts for my next redemption.
Other Offers you can use to Earn a DSW Gift Card
Free Trials
Finance Offers
Health Offers
What I bought with my DSW Gift Card
I used the DSW code on two practical buys: a pair of Nike everyday trainers and a pack of no-show socks. My cart subtotal was $74.98. Sales tax added $5.25 for a total of $80.23. At checkout, I clicked Apply Gift Card, pasted the code, and saw $35 deducted instantly. The order balance dropped to $45.23, which I paid with a standard card. The confirmation screen showed “Order #DSW-83429” and a delivery window of 3–5 business days.
The next day I received “Your DSW Order Has Shipped” with a tracking link. The sneakers arrived in clean factory packaging; socks were sealed and true to size. I keep a running note of gift card redemptions, so I recorded the $35 usage and my remaining 100 pts on Earn for my next DSW run. If you’re stacking a promo code, apply it before the gift card so the system reduces the pre-tax subtotal correctly.
For in-store pickup, DSW typically honors digital gift cards from the email barcode; I’ve had cashiers scan directly from my phone when stock was available locally. If you plan to split payment, tell the cashier you’ll use a gift card first, then a card. That sequence avoids re-ringing and keeps your receipt clean for returns. I saved the gift card email archive in a folder labeled “Gift Cards — DSW” for quick reference.
Frequently Asked Questions about DSW Gift Cards
How fast do points track and convert so I can redeem for DSW?
In my runs, pending points typically appear in 15–48 hours after completing an offer, though it can be slower on weekends or if extra verification is needed. Those pending points generally convert to tradable points after roughly 30 days, at which point you can redeem. Timelines vary by user, eligibility, and tracking; there are no guarantees. Always keep confirmation emails and screenshots so support can investigate if tracking lags.
Do I need to purchase anything to earn a free DSW gift card?
Some offers are free trials or account setups, while others may involve subscriptions or financial products. Read each offer’s terms closely to understand requirements, billing cycles, and any KYC or bank-link steps. I mixed low-friction offers for speed with mainstream trials for reliable signals. If an offer requires payment details, set a reminder to cancel if you don’t want to continue. Results vary by user, eligibility, and tracking; always review offer terms in Earn.llc.
What if my points don’t show as pending after I finish an offer?
First, confirm you used the same email between the offer and Earn. Check your inbox for the expected confirmation subject line and keep that message. If tracking still doesn’t appear after 48 hours, capture screenshots of the completed flow and your confirmation page, then contact support. Minor snags—like captcha failures or ID selfies in poor light—can delay tracking. Clear your cache and retry the offer link if you suspect a cookie issue.
Are there credit checks or KYC steps on these offers?
Some finance or credit-building products use KYC, which can include ID scans and a selfie; those verifications typically complete within minutes. I experienced a selfie retake due to lighting and resolved it by moving near a lamp. Hard credit checks are rare in the mixes I choose, but always read the terms so you know what authorization you’re giving. If you prefer to avoid these entirely, pick non-finance offers like media trials or health-related bookings.
How much can I realistically redeem for DSW on a single run?
It depends on the point totals of the offers you complete. In my test, I earned 3,600 pts, equal to $36. Because redemptions happen in $5 increments, I redeemed $35 and kept 100 pts for next time. If you select higher-point offers, you can redeem more in one go; if you pick lighter tasks, expect smaller but faster redemptions. I prefer predictable, trackable offers over chasing a single huge payout.
Can I stack promo codes with a DSW gift card at checkout?
Yes, in my experience DSW lets you apply a promo code first and then the gift card. Applying the promo first typically reduces your taxable subtotal correctly and maximizes savings. For store pickup, digital gift cards usually scan fine from your phone. If splitting payment, tell the cashier to apply the gift card before your card to avoid re-ringing. Always check DSW’s current terms since promotional rules can change.
What’s your best advice to avoid issues and get to redemption cleanly?
Use a consistent email across Earn and each offer, and keep every confirmation email. Take screenshots of the final confirmation screen, including any reference number. If a captcha or selfie fails, retry carefully with better lighting or a different browser. Expect pending points in up to two days and conversion to tradable points after roughly 30 days. Redeem in $5 increments when available, and keep a small points buffer for your next free DSW gift card.
