Testimonials

Devin and Maria Whitworth

“Every Dollar You Save is Important”

Devin and Maria Whitworth of Dallas understood the challenges associated with running their own business. For more than two decades they had owned their own marketing company, when in 2002, they discovered the difference that USA+ could make in their personal, as well as in their professional lives.

A friend had told them about the benefits of being a member of USA+. So they joined, and soon found that they had access to more than they expected ...becoming a member allowed the Whitworths to leverage their finances in new ways and provide their family greater options with health care services.

As Maria pointed out,“In any family-run business, every dollar you save is important. Business owners especially are always working to find cost-effective benefits for themselves and their employees, and USA+ has been a tremendous help with that.”

For example, during the last 18 months, the Whitworths and their four children were able to save nearly $4,000 as USA+ members.They saved by getting reduced pricing on their dental work, doctor visits, eye exams, and even hotels they used for business and personal travel.

“With our membership, we can stay at four and five-star hotels at half the price of their standard rates,” Maria explained.“In San Jose, California, for example, the hotel rate was $219 per night, but it cost us only $85. That kind of savings is important to us, as well as to anyone in business, big or small. Additionally, we’ve been able to get a ten percent rebate on flights we book through our USA+ Travel benefit. We get a check ... it’s as though the company is paying us for using this benefit, paying us for the privilege of booking our flights for us! In our first year as USA+ members, we actually were rebated over $400 on our airfare.”

Devin added that “these days, people really need to find ways to make their money go farther because so many people are in the midst of a financial crisis. It takes all of their income to pay for the necessities of food, gas, and utilities. In fact, the cost of living has grown so high that paychecks are simply not keeping up. As a result, we come across people every day who cannot afford to go to the dentist when they should, don’t bother to get their eyes examined because of the expense, and sometimes cannot afford any kind of health care benefits whatsoever.”

Maria readily admitted that she needed dental work but delayed making an appointment because she knew how it was going to impact the family’s finances (not to mention her discomfort with going to the dentist!). “However, one of the benefits of being a USA+ member is that I can save money on my dental work. In fact, I did go in, and my treatment plan that totaled $7,004 only cost me $3,679 because of the membership! So, I’ve learned not to think twice about going to either the dentist or the optometrist. We all know these things are essential to being and staying healthy, and being a member gives me no more excuse for putting them off.”

One of the benefits that initially attracted the Whitworths to USA+ was the inclusion of the American WholeHealth Network. Maria pointed out that “Our USA+ membership gives us access to a variety of benefits, including the best of traditional health care along with a natural approach. We’ve referred many of our friends because of the discounts offered through chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, massage therapists, personal trainers, and even yoga instructors.”

But being a member is not just about health care. The Whitworths learned early on how valuable the USA+ benefits would be in their personal lives. After only a week as members, they received a call from one of their teenage daughters, worried because her car wouldn’t start. She had just gotten out of a class, and she was all alone. Her father was obviously worried. Devin tells the story: “One of our benefits was roadside assistance. We didn’t even have our membership card for the auto club yet, but I called Member Services anyway – our daughter needed help right away. Well, they made sure we were in the system, and by the time I reached our daughter, the tow truck was already arriving. Without their assistance, it would have cost me $65. More importantly, it established a sense of trust for me, knowing she wouldn’t get caught stranded again without help.”

A few months ago, Devin needed to renew the family’s auto and home insurance. He decided to see how much money, if any, they could save by using their Answer Financial benefit. He was pleasantly surprised. “We were basically able to move from one major carrier to another and save $800 a year. That was a huge savings from one simple phone call.”

They are both very appreciative of the Member Services department.“When we call, we get through quickly to a live, friendly human being who makes us feel comfortable and is able to get our questions or concerns answered,” says Maria. “Many big companies fall short with their customer service, and I try to avoid contacting them. But USA+ makes it easy. I’m always confident that I’ll be taken care of with little, if any, delay. That alone is almost enough reason for us to stay members for the rest of our life.”

“But I also feel good about being a member for a bigger reason, and that’s knowing that two dollars of our monthly fee are going to help people who really need it. I know that doesn’t sound like much,” Maria continues, “but over the years it adds up and has made a difference.”

“For us, being a member of USA+ is really just being smart consumers,” Devin says. “We have everyday expenses that we’ll spend the money on anyway, but USA+ makes it possible for us to pay less for those same expenses. Now we have more choices, our money goes farther, and we’re able to enjoy benefits that we otherwise wouldn’t have.”

With USA+, the added value has increased the “bottom line” for their finances, their health, and their life.