Explore More Deb · Points and miles, uncomplicated
Luxury stays without luxury spending.
Points and miles look complicated from the outside. They don't have to be. I'm Deb; I book luxury stays with transferable and hotel points for a fraction of the price, and I'll show you how, one plain step at a time, in my free newsletter on Substack.
From my passport: Three nights at a Big Sur all-inclusive luxury resort, booked on points. Here's the stay.
Here's what you need to know
It's less complicated than it looks
You don't need a spreadsheet or a new vocabulary. You need a few good habits and someone who has done it before. Here's what I bring.
- 01
The points ecosystem
Which points, which hotel, which dates. Points are currency, and you can exchange them to maximize their value. I show you how.
- 02
The real math
Every stay comes with the receipt: the cash price, the points, and the fees nobody mentions until checkout.
- 03
A real rest
Real examples of luxury vacations to break away from life's stresses and reconnect with your fun, spirited inner self.
From my passport · Big Sur, California
Three nights at Alila Ventana Big Sur, on points
An adults-only, all-inclusive Hyatt resort on the Big Sur coast. I booked it with points - twice.
- Suite upgrade
- Forest bathing and coastal hikes
- S'mores by the fire
- Beekeeping
These are my results, not a promise of what you'll pay.
The mailing list
Save time, travel more
Join my mailing list because figuring this out on your own takes hours and I make it easy.
Every month: a deep dive on tools, points currencies, and strategies to book your own luxury vacations. Free.
My mailing list and my blog are the same thing: a newsletter on Substack. Each issue lands in your inbox and is posted on my Substack, so you can read back anytime.
- From
- Overwhelm
- To
- A real rest
- Class
- Luxury
- Paid with
- Points
First issue coming soon
The blog lives on Substack
Every newsletter issue doubles as a blog post: tool deep dives, points currencies and short "here's what you need to know" tips. Subscribers get each one by email first.
Visit my SubstackTools I use
Tools I love and use every day
These are my go-to tools to maximize points for luxury vacations.
Referral links. Some links are referral links. If you use them, I may earn points or a commission at no cost to you. I only share tools I use.
- Card toolsCardPointersTracks the benefits and offers on every card I carry, so nothing expires unused.
- Award searchSeats.aeroSearches award availability across programs and sends alerts when seats open.
- Shopping portalsRakutenCash back or Amex points on purchases I was going to make anyway.
- Booking toolsGondolaCompares cash and points prices for hotels so I can see when points win.
From my talks
About Deb
Hi, I'm Deb Rook
(formerly Deb Dunman)
I'm a points and miles strategist and luxury hotel lover based in Dallas. I use transferable and hotel points to book the kind of stays that let you actually rest: three nights at Alila Ventana Big Sur on Hyatt points, with a suite upgrade.
Points and miles have a reputation for jargon and spreadsheets. I focus on what matters for one great stay, and I explain it in plain words.
You may know me as Deb Dunman from FTU Dallas, TravelMore or ChooseFI Dallas. Same Deb, new last name.
Spoken at Chicago Seminars · FTU Dallas · ChooseFI Dallas · TravelMore · Bougie in a Backpack Virtual Travel Summit
Until October 2026, I spoke under my former name, Deb Dunman.
The podcast
A podcast is on the way
A solo show with guest interviews about luxury stays on points, launching spring 2027. Join my mailing list and you'll hear about the first episode before anyone else.
Host a podcast?
I talk luxury hotels on points, award search tools and making points and miles feel less complicated, especially for professional women.
Invite Deb on your showHear me on other shows
- Prescription to Travel MD · Nov 2025Ep. 47: Unlocking Hotel Deals and Gondola for Trip Planning with Deb Dunman
- Bougie in a Backpack · Mar 2024Ep. 42: Traveling to the Era's Tour on a Shoestring Budget with Deb Dunman
Episode titles use my former name, Deb Dunman.
Contact
Say hello
For travelers
Questions about a trip?
I read every message, but I can't give individual advice by email. The mailing list is the best place to start.
hello@exploremoredeb.comFor brands, tourism boards and media
Work with Deb
Brand partnerships · Hosted stays · Speaking · Podcast guest
Tell me about your brand or event, your audience and your timeline, and I'll reply with availability.
Email Deb about a partnershipFollow along
@exploremoredeb
Stays, award finds and the occasional plot twist, on Instagram.
Follow on Instagram