How to check your DSW gift card balance
DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) lets you check your gift card balance in three ways: online at dsw.com, by phone, or in a store. The online method is fastest — go to dsw.com, click "Gift Cards" in the footer, select "Check Balance," enter your card number and PIN, and your balance appears immediately. You do not need to create an account or log in.
If you prefer to call, DSW's customer service line is available during business hours. Have your gift card number and the four-digit PIN (printed on the back of the card) ready. A representative will read your balance to you over the phone.
You can also walk into any DSW store and ask a staff member to check the balance for you. They will swipe or scan the card and tell you what you have remaining. This method works even if you have lost the PIN.
Key Takeaways
- Check your balance online at dsw.com by entering your card number and PIN — this takes less than a minute and requires no login.
- You can call DSW customer service or visit a physical store if you prefer not to check online.
- DSW gift cards do not expire and do not lose value over time, so you can use them whenever you want.
- If your card is damaged or the number is worn off, visit a DSW store and staff can look up your balance using your ID and payment method.
- Gift card balances are non-transferable — only the original cardholder or someone with the card number and PIN can spend the balance.
What happens if you lose your gift card
If your DSW gift card is lost or stolen, contact DSW customer service as soon as possible. Have your card number and PIN ready if you have them. DSW can flag the card to prevent unauthorized use, though the company's policy on replacing lost cards varies — some retailers replace them if you can provide proof of purchase, while others do not.
If you do not have the card number written down anywhere, bring your receipt (if you have it) to a DSW store. Staff can look up the card using the receipt details and the original payment method used to purchase it. This is why keeping your gift card receipt is useful even after you receive the card.
Using your balance in-store and online
You can spend your DSW gift card balance at any DSW location or on dsw.com. In a store, hand the card to the cashier at checkout and they will process it like a regular payment card. Online, enter the card number and PIN at the payment step, just as you would with a credit card.
If your balance does not cover the full purchase, you can combine your gift card with another payment method — a credit card, debit card, or another gift card. The system will deduct the gift card balance first, then charge the remaining amount to your second payment method.
Gift card balance and store returns
When you return an item you bought with a DSW gift card, the refund goes back onto the gift card itself, not to your original payment method. This means your balance will increase by the return amount. If you no longer have the physical card, you can still receive the refund — DSW will issue a new gift card or add the amount to an existing card number if you provide it.
Keep in mind that DSW's return window is typically 60 days from purchase. After that, returns are not accepted, so your gift card balance cannot be refunded for items outside the return period.
Checking balance on a gift card you received as a gift
If someone gave you a DSW gift card without telling you the balance, you will need the card number and PIN to check online. The PIN is a four-digit number printed on the back of the card, usually near the bottom. If the PIN is faded or missing, visit a DSW store and ask staff to check it for you — they can look it up using just the card number.
If the card itself is damaged and the number is illegible, bring it to a DSW store along with a photo ID. Staff can attempt to read the card or help you recover the balance in another way, depending on what information is still visible.
Understanding gift card terms and expiration
DSW gift cards do not expire and do not lose value due to inactivity. You can hold onto a gift card for years and spend it whenever you want — there is no time limit. This is true for both physical cards and digital gift cards purchased online.
However, some states have laws that require retailers to turn over unused gift card balances to the state after a certain period of inactivity (usually five to seven years). If this happens, you can still claim your balance by contacting DSW or your state's unclaimed property office. Check your state's laws if you have had a gift card sitting unused for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my DSW gift card balance without the PIN?
You need the PIN to check your balance online. If you do not have it, visit a DSW store or call customer service — both can look up your balance using just the card number.
What if my gift card balance is very low but I want to use it?
You can combine your gift card with another payment method at checkout. The gift card will be charged first for what it covers, and the remaining amount will go to your second payment method.
Can I transfer my DSW gift card balance to someone else?
No. Gift card balances are tied to the card number and cannot be transferred. The person would need to use the physical card or have the card number and PIN to spend the balance.
Do DSW gift cards work at other shoe stores?
DSW gift cards only work at DSW stores and on dsw.com. They cannot be used at other retailers, even if those retailers sell similar products.
What if I bought a gift card but never received it?
If you purchased a digital gift card online and did not receive the email, check your spam folder first. If it is not there, contact DSW customer service with your order number — they can resend it or investigate what happened to the original email.