Get a free helicopter transfer when you book a British Airways short break in Monaco

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If you’re looking for something different for a weekend break this Spring, British Airways Holidays is offering free helicopter transfers if you book a break in Monaco.

If you’ve never been on a helicopter, it is a very cool thing to do.

I think I’ve only been in a helicopter three times, and one of those times was to transfer from Nice Airport to Monaco. (This was a corporate jolly, I wasn’t spending my own money.) It isn’t a long flight at just 7 minutes, but skimming along the sea with the French coast off to your side makes it a very impressive one.

British Airways has teamed up with the Monaco Government Tourist & Convention Authority to offer free return helicopter transfers with a ‘flight and hotel’ booking of just three nights.

This offer is, unsurprisingly, only valid during the low season. The smart thing may be to book as near to the end (or, in Autumn, the start) of the offer as possible to guarantee the best weather.

The dates are:

Now to 31st March

1st October to 31st December (exc Christmas Day)

You need to book seven days in advance. All bookings must be made by 31st January.

There is small print re the operating hours of the helicopter which you can easily miss as it is only available during the booking process:

“to qualify for the free helicopter transfer, flights must arrive into Nice between 08:00 and 16:45, and depart from Nice between 10:00 and 16:45, flights outside of these times will not receive the free helicopter transfer”

There is also a 23kg luggage limit per person.

You also receive “entrance to museums and attractions in the principality of Monaco”. Whilst it isn’t mentioned on the main page, you also get “shared shuttle bus transfer from/to the Heliport and your chosen hotel”.

This is a really good deal in March. I found three nights at Columbus Monte Carlo plus BA economy flights plus helicopter transfers for just £532 for two people (ie £266 each) for the last weekend in March.

Remember that the usual BA Holidays benefits apply. You earn 1 bonus Avios for every £1 you spend, and if you pay on a British Airways Premium Plus American Express card you will receive double Avios (3 per £1) from Amex. If your booking is large enough, you can just pay a deposit now with the balance due seven weeks before departure.

Your flights will earn Avios and tier points, but BA Holidays bookings do not qualify for On Business points in the BA small business scheme.

Full details can be found on ba.com here.

How to earn Avios points from UK credit cards

How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways BA Amex American Express card

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways BA Premium Plus American Express Amex credit card

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points, such as:

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital On Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios:

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus: