Give me five minutes and I'll show you ways to get up to 35% off your next Grand Canyon west rim helicopter tour from Las Vegas.

Interested? Good. Let's go save some money.

First thing you need to know is that Las Vegas has the best helicopter tour discounts. Thank the fact that competition for your travel dollar is fierce. It's what keeps prices low.

Fighting it out for your patronage are Papillon, Maverick, and Sundance. These powerhouses claim Vegas as their "turf," and trips to the Grand Canyon's West Rim is a major part of their business.

The "pie" is most certainly big enough: More than 35 million people annually visit Vegas. Say just 10 percent of these folks took a helicopter ride. That's 3.5 million trips!

That's a huge market, and everyone from hotel concierges and ticket brokers to travel agents and the hotel itself have thrown their hat into the ring and are looking to make a profit at your expense.

How do beat this game? Book your tour directly with the tour supplier. I know, it sounds odd, but the companies that operate the helicopter tour offer the lowest prices.

Papillon Helicopters, by way of example, offers significant price cuts on its West Rim trips. Its popular Grand Celebration tour retails at $399 but can be purchased on its website for $280. Or take its Grand Celebration with boat and Skywalk. This tour retails for $597 but is available for $400 online. The savings really rack up as you upgrade your package to include such activities as rafting, horseback riding, and the Skywalk.

Groups of ten or more enjoy up to an additional 10 percent off the promotional price. This extra savings is not automatic. Let's take Papillon Helicopters again. On their site, find the West Rim tour you want. Then, on the left-hand side, click the blue bar for "small-group" pricing. The web page will refresh and now you are in group mode.

Take a moment to skim these quick facts. They'll help you to get a better idea about which West Rim tour will work best for you:

1. The West Rim is the only spot in the entire Grand Canyon where you can land on the bottom. Don't pass up this phenomenal opportunity. Papillon's Grand Celebration tour is my top pick for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

2. The West Rim is home to the Skywalk, the glass bridge that extends 70 feet over the edge and suspends you 4,000 feet above the Colorado River.

3. Most helicopter tours to Grand Canyon West take just half a day. It takes 45 minutes to reach the Rim, which are 120 east of Las Vegas. Great aerial views of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam are included.

4. This Rim is home to the most activities. River rafting, horseback riding, ATV trail riding. There's even a package that includes a working ranch in El Dorado Canyon.

Savvy travelers know you never pay full retail price for Grand Canyon helicopter tours. Las Vegas is stacked with promo codes and discounts, most of which discount your tour price by up to 35 percent. Papillon Helicopters is your smartest choice for low-cost, quality tours to Grand Canyon West. Their best deals are on their website and must be booked on-line. Groups usually get an additional 10 percent off. Helicopters are a great way to visit the West Rim. Coupled with incredible promotional offers, the time to go is now.