Want Free Shoes? You Need to Join DSW VIP Rewards
I am not affiliated with DSW. This is all just my honest take and promotion of the program- I get nothing from it other than the joy of helping you save money!
2019 saw the end of an empire built on affordable (often cute) shoes. I’m talking about the death of Payless ShoeSource. When Payless closed its doors, shoe shopping became harder for budgeters. Sure, there’s always T.J. Maxx shoes and similar stores, but their stock is limited.
Another alternative? DSW. But wait- Designer is in their name, so surely they’re not the most affordable option, right? Not quite.
DSW has an amazing rewards program, DSW VIP, that helps you rack up points and coupons. I recently got a completely free pair of comfortable slides from DSW, without spending a single dime to earn rewards, and I’m going to walk you through that secret.
How I Got a Free Pair of Shoes from DSW
Does it get any better than free brand-new shoes? If that sounds good, keep reading to learn how to get free shoes, too! The deals I utilized have expired, but DSW often offers similar deals throughout the year. Knowing about them in advance will help you prepare for the next opportunities.
Back in April, before Easter, DSW offered a promotion for a $5 reward. All you had to do to earn this reward was add a pair of shoes to your favorites list. It was super easy and completely free. The DSW coupon was good for a month. I had planned to shop in-store and get a small item, like shoe inserts, near the checkout for free- but boy, am I glad I waited.
In early May (May 7-8), DSW gave a surprise $10 reward to VIP loyalty members. The catch? It was only good for a couple of days.
I headed over to their website to start browsing anything around $15. I immediately headed to the DSW clearance tab and sorted the results from low to high.
I found these slides on sale for $14.99. I added them to my cart, headed to checkout, and paid a whopping $0.00. There wasn’t even a tax! The only caveat was that I had to pick them up in-store because they couldn’t be shipped.
These shoes are so comfortable! They’re perfect for poolside, patio, and beach excursions. I even like to wear them when walking my dog. But my favorite thing about them? They were completely free. I honestly felt like I was going to be questioned when I went to pick them up, like I was somehow stealing.
These shoes were originally $49.00, and were on sale for $14.99. With the $10 and $5 reward I had, I was able to get them completely free!
How to Earn Rewards at DSW
So, since the two deals I used to get my free shoes from DSW expired, how can you get free shoes? By utilizing their rewards program to the best of your ability with:
Free rewards
Donating used shoes
Shopping
Free Rewards
DSW coupons are available at random throughout the year, much like the two that I used to get my free shoes. To ensure you don’t miss one, always be on the lookout for DSW emails. I like to use a separate email address for shopping so advertisements don’t crowd my regular email account.
DSW emails will alert you to the best deals, including free $5 or $10 rewards.
Another way to get a free reward is to enter your birthday when you sign up for DSW VIP! DSW sends $5 to VIP members on their birthday. I used my $5 DSW birthday reward on a new pair of clearance running shoes!
Donating Used Shoes to DSW Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls is a DSW foundation that gives your old shoes new life and purpose. The shoes are sent to the closest Soles4Souls distributor, who sorts them into type and quality and ships them to various countries. The shoes are then sold by entrepreneurs in poorer countries to help them provide for their families.
You earn 50 points for every pair of gently used shoes you donate. 100 points equals a $5 reward, so two pairs of shoes donated would get you $5. To earn the points, talk with a DSW store associate before placing your shoes in the donation bin.
Shopping
Lastly, you can earn points towards rewards by shopping at DSW.
This is especially useful if you’re shopping for more than just yourself, because points rack up the more you spend. It’s not my favorite way to earn points or rewards, but if you’re already having to spend money on shoes, you might as well get something back for it.
You earn 1 point per $1 spent.
Become a DSW VIP Member!
There are many reasons to become a VIP loyalty member at DSW (aside from the fact that it’s free to you!). Other than earning free reward dollars, you'll also get free shipping on literally anything.
There are three tiers to the DSW VIP program. All the deals and perks mentioned in this article are available to you as a VIP Club member, which is the lowest tier.
Gold tier members must spend over $200 in a calendar year. The only benefit to being Gold is that there are two days in the year when you earn double points. It’s not worth it to try and aim for Gold in my opinion, since they earn the same level of points as Club members. You do get a few other perks, such as a free tote bag and other things through the MyPerks program, but I don’t feel like it pays for itself.
To become an Elite member, you must spend over $500 a calendar year. Elite members earn 2 points per $1 and are eligible for free 2-day shipping. They also get a $10 reward on birthdays instead of the standard $5 reward.
The Club tier will save you the most money by spending the least.
Final Thoughts
Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would walk into a shoe store and walk out carrying free shoes- but it’s entirely possible at DSW and requires no previous purchases. Follow the steps and tips in this article to get a free pair of shoes! Just make sure you sign up for DSW VIP!
