Discounts

Asthma sufferers have long relied on inhalers for relief from wheezing or coughing attacks. But as of Dec. 31, Primatene Mist -- the only available over-the-counter asthma inhaler -- was taken off shelves because of its adverse effect on the environment. Other inhalers are available, but these require a doctor's prescription. Some people with asthma aren't happy about the change, but lung doctors and asthma specialists agree that Primatene Mist wasn't the best option for patients anyway.

If you're hitting the road with Mom this weekend, here are some deals that might just sweeten the trip. Lots of places offer freebies or discounts in honor of Mother's Day this Sunday. Here are some I like. The deal: The Aquarium of the Bay (Embarcadero at Beach Street in San Francisco) gives mothers and grandmothers free entry (usually $16.95 each) on Sunday. In keeping with the theme of the day, the aquarium is making special "Moms of the Bay" presentations to explain how animals give birth and care for their young.

The Rat Pack lives again -- or at least Palm Springs, once the party pad of Sinatra and the boys, does. The Coachella Valley city, which had devolved into a caricature of a Hollywood playground, has reinvented itself: Its retro-chic look, striking scenery and hip hotels and restaurants are drawing a new generation of visitors. And, of course, there's always the weather, a tourist attraction on its own (in winter, anyway). The city prides itself on having 350 days of sunshine a year, a siren song that plays loudly and clearly in Canada and other frosty North America realms in the depths of winter.

While her classmates agonize over which college to attend, high school senior Samantha Morgan is passing up offers from Cal State campuses in Long Beach and San Jose. She is heading out of California to avoid overcrowded classes and other state budget problems. And she can afford it thanks to a little-known program that offers discounts at public colleges and universities to students from 15 states, most of them in the West. Morgan is taking advantage of the Western Undergraduate Exchange to enroll at Northern Arizona University this fall.

The availability of rush--or any discount--tickets varies by venue and performance. Call the box office the day of the show to make sure it isn't already sold out and bring cash and a valid I.D. Starting with the 1997-98 season, the Ahmanson Theatre has changed its rush policy. It will offer $12 rush tickets for balcony seats two hours prior to performances for a portion of the run. Tickets are not available for Saturday evenings or Sunday matinees.

Being the theme-park discount leader is no romp in the park this summer. Knott's Berry Farm said Thursday it will admit Southern California children for $9.95 on tickets purchased at Ralphs markets, shaving $3 off an existing discount promotion, in reaction to Walt Disney Co.'s move to let local kids in free to its California Adventure park. The deal begins Wednesday and runs through Sept. 4. Adult tickets remain $21.

Looking for a good deal on an air fare? Try an air fare "factory outlet"--a discounter or consolidator. Airlines often sell large blocks of tickets at bargain prices to discounters (also called consolidators), which pass those savings on to passengers. The savings are more apparent on international tickets, but if you need to travel at a day's notice, the savings can also be big on a domestic flight. Of course, such deals come with restrictions.

Loews Hotels have teamed up with the online discounter Travelzoo to offer low room rates through Christmas at some of their resorts in the West, including Santa Monica and San Diego . The only problem you’ll have is choosing where you want to stay. The deal: The Loews Travelzoo Promotion lists discounted room rates at Santa Monica (35% off); Ventana Canyon in Tucson; ($79); Coronado Bay in San Diego ($109); Denver ($85); and Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev. ($99)

The city has received notice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that city property owners will be able to get a 5% discount on their flood insurance premiums. The insurance discount was granted because of a city-initiated effort to reduce flooding risk. The discount is effective Oct. 1.

STAYING in a Roman convent, monastery or other religious institution makes a tourist feel like a pilgrim. A few, such as the sedate Palazzo Cardinal Cesi, 51 Via della Conciliazione, 011-39-06-68-19-32-22, www.vaticanaccommodations.com, in a 15th century palazzo virtually next door to St. Peter's, have the amenities of a luxury hotel and are priced accordingly, about $200 and up.

There are many websites that list travel discounts for military personnel. Among them: http://www.military.com http://www.guidetomilitarytravel.com http://www.armytimes.com/marketplace/discounts / http://www.militaryspot.com/discounts / http://www.militarycruisedeals.com / http://www.4militaryfamilies.com/militarydiscounts.htm http://www.choicehotels.com/en/deals/government-rate ...

Servicemen and servicewomen have a world of travel bargains available. Here are some areas to explore: Commercial flights - Contact commercial airlines directly or go to http://www.military.com and enter "military travel center" in the search box in the upper right corner to find available discounts. Some airlines also offer military personnel early boarding privileges and waive baggage fees. Be sure to ask. Hotels - Military discounts can be as much as 30% at more than 4,000 U.S. hotels.

Apple is strict about product pricing, but now you can get a legitimate discount on a brand new iPhone 4S. But there's a catch -- unless you already live in Kentucky, Virginia or Alaska, you have to move to one of those states. That's where small cellphone carriers will be offering the phone, beginning April 20, for $150, according to an Associated Press report. That's $49 less than what's charged by major carriers AT&T, Verizon and Sprint for the hugely popular phone, with a two-year contract.

Donald Trump is so annoying that it's extra annoying when he gets something right. Nonetheless, here's what Hotel Chatter had to say about the 46-story Trump SoHo New York when it opened two years ago: "Undeniably Trump but the spacious rooms, Fendi furniture, Hudson River views and giant soaking tubs have won us over. " Now Trump SoHo at 246 Spring St. has a one-day sale that discounts the pricey room rates and throws in a few cocktails too. You have to stay two nights, but with those views, who wouldn't want to?

Here's a deal for those who want to sample a high-end hotel and don't mind a little muss and fuss. Loews Coronado Bay Resort in Coronado, Calif., is offering guests 25% off best available room rates while it adds touches that include a two-story chandelier and a floating bar. The deal:  Renovation Rates start at $119 plus tax -- a low price for this San Diego-area waterfront hotel. Loews has spent $12 million in the last three years on updates that will continue through early June, according to a statement.

Dear Liz: Should we get a rewards card? We have excellent credit scores. I'm a stay-at-home mom and my husband has a good, steady job. We spend about $6,000 a month with our debit card or automatic drafts from our checking account. I think our family should have a rewards card. My husband disagrees and says that for the amount we spend each month, we wouldn't rack up any points. Is he right? If we should get a card, how do we pick the right one? Answer: If you're positive you'll pay your credit card bill in full every month, you would be great candidates for a rewards card.

Besides letting their fingers do the walking, thousands of Orange County residents starting today will get a chance to let their scissors do the clipping through their new editions of Pacific Bell's Smart Yellow Pages. In a bid to compete with direct-mail companies and newspapers for national advertising, Pacific Bell is test-marketing a new phone book that will include a pullout section of ads, coupons and special ad pages.

WHERE TO STAY Lodging options are slim around Griffith Park, perhaps because there are so many rooms in nearby Hollywood. But there are a few spots, including these. Hotel250, also known as the Hollywood Silver Lake Hotel & Suites, 250 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles 90004; (213) 639-1920, http://www.hotel250.com . This former Holiday Inn, set on a hillside south of the 101 Freeway, has 65 rooms, free Wi-Fi, parking and continental breakfast and an unheated outdoor pool.

Chicago and New York (and, apparently, Savannah, Ga., according to the previous post ) are traditionally ground zero for St. Patrick's Day, but the Pub Crawl at Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas  might make for a cool stand-in. Partyers pick up a free wristband that provides access to free entertainment and some greenback-saving deals. The deal: Start by registering for a wristband at the St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl website. There's free parking (425 Fremont St.)

American Express cardholders who use Twitter can now tweet their way to discounts. The company said that U.S. cardholders can sync up their AmEx cards to Twitter to receive paperless, exclusive coupons to participating retailers such as Best Buy and Zappos by tweeting "special offer" hashtags. When the Twittering cardholder goes shopping at that merchant, the discount is credited to the linked-up account in a few days. "American Express is turning Twitter content into commerce by connecting cardmembers to merchants and delivering real world value to both," Ed Gilligan, American Express' vice chairman, said in a statement.  At launch, participating merchants include 1-800-Flowers.com, Best Buy, the Cheesecake Factory, Dell, H&M, McDonald's, TicketMaster and Virgin America.