Groupon: Collective Buying Power

I was just talking about helicoptor rides a few days ago!

I’ve taken a ride in a helicopter in Nome, Alaska a few years ago and it was AMAZING. You fly so lightly and even though the sensation was different than I’d ever experienced you can see so much! It’s incredible… something people don’t get to experience very often.

And this is a TOTAL DEAL too! I highly recommend this Groupon.

Hey Nathalie

Posts containing links or promoting deals/sites not associated with Groupon.com will be deleted.

Thanks for your adherence!

Josh
Forum Moderator

I understand the rule of “limit 1/person, may buy mult. as gifts”, but is there a limit on buying one of each option?

Is there an age limit for the tours? Can I bring my 4 year old along?

Thanks,

Jason

I would love to buy the lesson for my husband; is there an expiration date for this purchase? Thanks! Charmaine

Does the combine weight limit include the pilot or is that just for the two passengers?

So the deal is for one person, but fits two people, so would I have to buy one for myself and my partner for the tour? Or is one certificate for 2 people?

•$149 for a 45-minute helicopter tour of Dundee Hills for two people (a $300 value)

Marissa,

Thanks, Jeff at Holmes Helicopters

The combined weight limit is for the passengers, without the pilot.

Thanks,
Jeff

Dianna,

There is NOT a limit on buying of each certificate. The only limit is that one person can only use one of the lesson certificates total. That same person may use one or more of the other two certificates if they want and one person may buy as many of the certificates as they want to give as gifts.

Thanks,
Jeff at Holmes Helicopters

Jason,

We love kids and the young at heart!!! Children as young as 3 or 4 have loved the flights!!! Kids are rarely afraid and as long as an older child or parent is with them, we love to take them up!

Shanda at Holmes Helicopters

Charmaine,
Expiration date is Feb 25, 2011, but if there is a problem with scheduling, we will do everything we can to get you up in the air regardless of expiration date.

This sounds way cool!
I am 48yrs old and I have never flown in any type of aircraft.
I will be up there with my fiancee whom I had not heard from for 30yrs…back when we were High School sweethearts…she found me on MySpace a little over a year ago.

Perfect timing! My husband just mentioned the other day that he would love to learn to fly a helicopter; I bought him the lesson for our anniversary in two weeks; sweet deal, thanks Holmes Helicopters, can’t wait to give this to him!

Sorry Josh. Did not mean to advertise for someone else. Was just trying to help and say this is not a deal at all. Quite expensive for 20 minutes lesson when the market is at $99 for an hour, that’s all.

I was thinking the same thing Nathalie…I’ve seen these advertised cheaper from different companies without coupons. I would consider this a groupon miss.

Nathalie and Trisha, this may very well be the best offer under the circumstances. If someone thinks they have a better “deal” then let them enter the game properly (like contracting their own deal on a site like this), be professional and show that they can enter the marketing arena and win by the rules, not just by discrediting someone else. Sorry, but “being nice” by letting people know there is something “better” when you don’t have all the facts, isn’t nice at all.

Can’t wait to give this as a birthday gift! Thank you Groupon & Holmes Helicopters for offering this deal. This is something our daughter has wanted to do for a long time and you’ve made it so easy! It appears as though we could shop around and save a few dollars but honestly, I’d rather be out having fun in the sun and spending time with friends and family. Looking forward to a great experience!

Regarding the statement about how good of a deal this is or not. Our regular (profit-making) rates are 300-350 per hour for individual flights, tours and lessons. Obviously, if we were not comparable with others on this rate, we would not be able to stay in business. I know of no regular helicopter rates at less than $300 per hour, which makes sense because the fuel alone to run a helicopter is about $100 per hour. This cost of course does not account for maintenance which is VERY expensive, and other overhead costs. Standard industry costs of running a Hiller ranges from $150 to 220 per hour total depending on what parts need replacing and serviced at the very frequent maintenance periods. If someone is going below this rate per hour, my guess is they are losing money in the short run for the purpose of later turning a profit because of the networking these very low rates provide. This is our hope. Plus, it is really cool to meet new people and provide them with a really cool gift at a price the working man can afford.

I did shop around for a deal back in June, wanting to give this as a gift. I didn’t find anything less than $150 per hour per person! Thanks for the great offer.

I’m interested in booking a trip for my son and I and have 2 questions. One— he’s 14. I believe I read that his age is fine, but want to double check. Two— would we be allowed to ride along as the other took his/her lesson? That would be fantastic. We would promise not to say a word! Thanks!

Leslie,

His age shouldn’t be a problem. As far as having someone else in the open seat, we could arrange that for an upgrade of $20. Go ahead and book with groupon and let me know when we schedule.

Shanda