dralion ( pronounced drah-lee-on ) was a touring production by the canadian entertainment company cirque du soleil .

the show combined elements of traditional chinese circus with western contemporary circus , complementing the " east-meets-west " theme implied in the title — the name is a portmanteau of " dragon " ( representing the east ) and " lion " ( representing the west ) .

it is cirque du soleil 's 12th touring production and the first cirque show since 1985 not to be directed by franco dragone .

dralion performed its final show at the sullivan arena in anchorage , alaska on january 18 , 2015 , bringing its 15 year world tour to a close .

dralion

to purchase tickets to dralion visit ticketmaster . com . for more information on dralion , visit the cirque du soleil website .
cirque du soleil ' s dralion to tour u . s . | programmed activities
cirque du soleil presents dralion in raleigh aug . 15 - 19 | pnc arena
questions prepared by pat rioux , interim artistic coordinator and general stage manager for dralion .
dralion continues its southern california tour in long beach and san diego this november , 2012 .
celebrating its 15th anniversary , dralion comes to the o2 from 4 - 8 june 2014 .
i just watched dralion on dvd again . in my opinion one of the very best cirque production
if you go to cirque du soleil’s “dralion” this weekend , pay attention to the performers’ costumes .
on december 16 , 2001 , dralion celebrated its 1 , 000th performance in dallas , texas .
on november 5 , 2004 , dralion celebrated its 2 , 000th performance in madrid , spain .
on may 13 , 2006 , dralion celebrated its 2 , 500th performance in valencia , spain .
on october 2 , 2007 , dralion celebrated its 3 , 000th performance in osaka , japan .
on january 31 , 2009 , dralion celebrated its 3 , 500th performance in perth , australia .
if you had to choose one word to describe dralion what would it be ? awe - inspiring .
uuve jansson prepares backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at . . .
artists prepare backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the . . .
trampoline artists practice ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the . . .
costumes are prepared backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at . . .
you can get the promo codes for cirque du soleil dralion tickets by logging in on our page .
after 15 years performing around the world , dralion will make its final curtain call in january 2015 .
the world of dralion attempts to mix cultures and unite the human and the natural world . dralion is all about harmony , finding strength and making every piece of the show come together as one enchanting picture .
sorry , we don ' t have any cirque du soleil - dralion tickets on sale at the moment .
the ballet on lights girls prepare backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' . . .
your cirque du soleil dralion tickets will be delivered to you via our most reliable courier services , fedex .
uuve jansson applies her make - up backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' . . .
surging ticket sales have led cirque du soleil to schedule an additional two weeks for its dralion show in brisbane .
dralion fuses the 3000 year - old tradition of chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of cirque du soleil .
with 50 artists from 16 countries , dralion ' s talent is world - class in every sense of the term .
igor arefiev , head coach for cirque du soleil’s dralion , got onto a circus payroll at a very young age .
dralion is a study in exuberance and dazzling verticality : a thematic melange that strings together one superlative performance after another .
dralion plays at copps coliseum until april 29 . you can check out hecfi for more information and to buy tickets .
cirque du soleil dralion is one of the most vivid , awe inspiring and dazzling show produced by cirque du soleil .
dralion artistic director mark shaub said :
we are very excited to be bringing dralion to great britain next spring . many of our cast and crew have connections to great britain and are looking forward to presenting the show to audiences there .
to realize the original “dralion” designs , workers in montreal spent three months customizing the clothing , hats , wigs and footwear .
with its debut in 1999 , cirque du soleil ' s dralion drew in and captivated more than seven million audience members .
cirque du soleil production dralion will perform in winnipeg at the mts centre from july 20 – 24 for eight performances only .
the availability of the cirque du soleil dralion tickets for the same row can be checked by going to the respective page .
yes , we are responsible and ensure on time delivery of cirque du soleil dralion tickets . check and order right away .
catch cirque du soleil’s dralion show in its last go - around from oct . 15 to 19 for six performances at the mohegan sun arena at casey plaza in wilkes - barre township . the dralion show makes its final curtain call in january 2015 .
if you happened to see cirque du soleil’s “dralion” a handful of years ago , know this : the show has changed dramatically .
on april 1 , 2011 , dralion celebrated its 4 , 000th performance in des moines , iowa , on its new arena tour .
“dralion’s” 5 , 000th performance will occur in kearney . the show , restaged in 2010 , is scheduled to be retired in january .
with dralion , “colours and cultures combine in a world beyond human limitation . ” cirque du soleil have toured australia with four shows , performing to 3 . 5 million people and – after a two - year hiatus – dralion is expected to be a huge success .
cirque du soleil : dralion wows swfl during local performance thru sunday - urltoken | fort myers beach bulletin , fort myers beach observer .
dralion ' s
futuristic set is a huge technological structure with components that serve as accessories to the show ' s acrobats .
no , our site doesn ' t require any member ship . cirque du soleil dralion tickets can be bought easily at low rates .
cirque du soleil to present dralion in charlottesville six performances only from oct . 22 - 26 , 2014 at the john paul jones arena
you can get the promo codes of cirque du soleil dralion tickets by following simple instructions on our page . check and order right away .
sponsors cirque du soleil gratefully acknowledges the official sponsors of the dralion north american tour : xerox , dhl and its presenting sponsor visa signature .
françois barbeau tailored some elements of the dralion costumes for the arena , a much larger venue : “you need the details to be stronger . ”
there is no special policy to get promotion codes for cirque du soleil dralion tickets . follow the directions and get them as soon as possible .
place an order for dralion tickets and watch as the art of chinese acrobatics meets the mastery of cirque du soleil . dralion is a stunning exploration of humanity ' s relationship with nature that incorporates both traditional cirque and eastern acrobatic acts . conceived with the creativity and innovation of cirque du soleil , the touring production features hoop diving , bamboo pole - balancing , tumbling dance routines , aerial acrobatics , feats of strength , and more . we are well - stocked in cirque du soleil dralion tickets for every city the tour is visiting this year in the united states and canada . please reference the complete lineup of dralion tour dates above to find your tickets today . you can reserve seats for both matinee and evening performances of dralion at vivid seats .
the
dralion
tour is going to 17 cities in the united states and canada , including atlanta , boston , chicago , quebec and toronto .
you can get cirque du soleil dralion tickets on discounted rates till the date of the event . check out the details onlien and order right away !
we are offering a reasonable discount on cirque du soleil dralion tickets . the details are available on our page . get them as soon as possible .
yes , we do sell cirque du soleil dralion tickets at discounts on our website . use the discount codes mentioned on our page to get discounts .
the show schedule is published d on our page with timings . take a look and place your order for cirque du soleil dralion tickets right away .
cirque du soleil dralion tickets are very much up for sale on our website . do log on to make the most of our cheap rates now .
. and am grateful for that . but i needed a better taste in my mouth so i bought the cirque box set on dvd and popped in dralion
js : no , not at all . in fact , the first cirque show i ever saw was dralion when i started the job a year ago .
cm : dralion is an old show and cirque has shifted quite a bit since that time . how do you keep a show created in 1999 fresh ?
a triumphant beat of the drum calls a close to the fanciful universe of dralion . performers spin about on stage while a solo performance of the chinese drum fills the air . thunderous applause erupts from those who are there to witness the spectacle… and the natural order of time is returned . dralion has ended .
costumed dancers jump through towers of spinning hoops and show off their flexibility in dralion , cirque du soleil’s latest whimsical spectacle to be performed for moscow audiences .
“take an extraordinary journey through a futuristic dimension , where you can soar to new heights , and defy the laws of nature . ” – dralion press release .
cirque du soleil has long been known for redefining the entertainment landscape and is returning to australia with their new show , dralion , never before seen in australia .
it is very simple . check out on the directions on our page and place the order for cirque du soleil dralion tickets as soon as it is possible .
1 . 5 hours before the premiere of dralion in doha , qatar ! here the trampoline team practiced their skills earlier this afternoon . have a good show everyone !
like most cirque productions , dralion soft - starts with three clowns walking among the floor seats before 7 : 30 pm and interacting with the audience to hilarious effect .
“one of the things we want to do with dralion is to have people rediscover the power and importance of the four elements . we take them for granted in our daily lives . values have been displaced . maybe one of the goals of dralion is to help re - establish a connection with the elements . ” – francois barbeau
on march 4 , 1999 , cirque du soleil announced the name of the show . in august 2000 , dralion celebrated its 500th performance , in minneapolis , minnesota .
“the advance ticket sales for the sydney season of dralion have exceeded our expectations , ” says milan rokic , cirque du soleil vp of marketing for asia - pacific .
dralion will premiere on november 27 under the trademark blue and yellow big top and continue through to january 4 , including performances on christmas eve and new year’s eve .
dralion is the fusion of ancient chinese circus tradition and the avant - garde approach of cirque du soleil . the show ' s name is drawn from its two main symbols : the dragon , representing the east , and the lion , representing the west . dralion derives much of its inspiration from eastern philosophy w . . . read more
a tribute to dralion music . here all the music know from this show ( except those used in the clowns act ) made with the best knowledge available for this shows . on january 17 , 2014 , after more than 15 years on the road , dralion by cirque du soleil will be taking its last bow in achorage , alaska !
cirque du soleil is pleased to announce that the critically - acclaimed touring production dralion will perform in raleigh at pnc arena from august 15 - 19 for seven performances only .
houston ( june 6 , 2011 ) – cirque du soleil will perform the touring production of dralion in the greater houston area at two arena locations during 2011 . dralion will perform in cypress from november 17 – 20 , 2011 at the berry center and then in downtown houston from november 30 – december 4 , 2011 at the toyota center .
niki kemeny , company manager for dralion said :
we are so thrilled as a tour to be coming to london so that we can feel inspired by the vibrant blend of so many cultures , sounds , and styles in this great city . similarly , this vibrant blend within dralion , along with breathtaking performances will definitely thrill londoners too .
stream dralion by cirque du soleil and 40 million songs on all your devices with amazon music unlimited . exclusively for prime members . new subscribers only . terms and conditions apply .
in dralion , the four elements that govern the natural order take on a human form . thus embodied , each element is represented by its own evocative colour : air is blue ; water is green ; fire is red ; earth is ochre . in the world of dralion , cultures blend , man and nature are one , and balance is achieved .
sorry there are no special cirque du soleil dralion tickets discounts available on our website . however we assure you that our prices are from among very cheap ones you will find .
mendeltna ronan farguhar . ws280628 / 02 . 11 / 07 / 2008 . breeder : owner . by dralion mountain of island west - mendeltna sophia girl . owner : mable wimmer
dralion is the fusion of ancient chinese circus tradition and the avant - garde approach of cirque du soleil . the show ' s name is drawn from its two main symbols : the dragon , representing the east , and the lion , representing the west . dralion derives much of its inspiration from eastern philosophy with its perpetual quest for harmony between humankind and nature .
but changing
dralion
from a
big top
show into an arena show is a lot more than just moving the set pieces into the likes of the wolstein center .
we changed a lot of the staging to adapt the show to this new environment ,
desmarais said .
in fact , dralion is performing on a brand new stage .
dralion was first performed in 1999 as a grand chapiteau ( big top ) show , but has recently been revised to take advantage of the added size and height of an arena .
cirque du soleil is pleased to announce that its newest arena show , dralion , will be performing in worcester from december 16 - 19 at the dcu center for seven performances only .
after 15 years performing around the world , dralion will make its finale curtain call in january 2015 . from october 22 - 26 , 2014 , charlottesville will have its final opportunity to experience this unique and colorful cirque du soleil signature production that has performed in more than 150 cities . dralion will be presented at the john paul jones arena for six performances only .
dralion’s cast and crew celebrated a wonderful milestone earlier last month , marking their 500th performance since the show’s arena tour premiered in trenton , new jersey on october 21 , 2011 . in honor of this achievement , and in keeping with fascination’s current series celebrating these specific milestones we explore dralion , one of the most polarizing shows in cirque’s repertoire , from a historical perspective .
there ' s so many elements to dralion . you could watch it and be inspired to go ,
i want to work here or i want to work for this company .
inviting the audience into an unforgettable world , dralion pays tribute to the four natural elements – air , water , fire and earth – and is inspired by mankind’s quest for harmony with nature . based on a clash between the east and the west , the name dralion is derived from its two main symbols – a dragon representing the east and a lion representing the west .
as soon as the first standing ovation had been given to dralion in the spring of 1999 , fans began to wonder what would follow and who would direct it . although from all accounts dralion was a box - office success , it was not always seen as a critical success . many commented that the show seemed more
off the shelf
than previous cirque productions , and as such did not feel immersed in the world of dralion . in fact much of dralion is an
off the shelf
chinese touring circus that was purchased wholesale by cirque du soleil , deconstructed , and re - constructed in the cirque - fashion . when cirque finally announced that it was launching a new live touring production for 2002 it was welcome news indeed .
dralion is the fusion of ancient chinese circus tradition and the avant - garde approach of cirque du soleil . the show ' s name is drawn from its two main symbols : the dragon , representing the east , and the lion , representing the west . dralion derives much of its inspiration from eastern philosophy with its perpetual quest for harmony between humankind and nature . suspended in time between the past and the future , dralion is a celebration of life and the four elements that maintain the natural order : air , water , fire and earth . innovation soars to new heights as it defies the laws of nature . dralion is a dynamic performance that transcends the boundaries of the imagination and leads us into a dreamscape with a new and sparkling perspective .
each show has a loose storyline although not necessarily appreciable in dralion . in ancient eastern philosophy , there is an endless quest for harmony between humans and nature . thus , the story revolves around the four elements of air , water , fire , and earth depicted in human form . in dralion , “cultures blend , man and nature are one , and balance is achieved . ”
thrilling more than 8 million people worldwide since the show premiered in 1999 , dralion is the fusion of ancient chinese circus traditions and the avant - garde style of cirque du soleil . the name dralion ( pronounced “drah - lee - on” ) is drawn from its two main symbols : the dragon , representing the east , and the lion , representing the west . dralion derives much of its inspiration from eastern philosophy with its perpetual quest for harmony between humankind and nature . the international cast features 52 world - class acrobats , gymnasts , musicians , singers and comedic characters .
suspended in time between the past and the future , dralion is a celebration of life and the four elements that maintain the natural order : air , water , fire and earth . innovation soars to new heights as it defies the laws of nature . dralion is a dynamic performance that transcends the boundaries of the imagination and leads us into a dreamscape with a new and sparkling perspective .
such is the special significance of cirque du soleil ' s long - running show
dralion ,
playing wednesday through april 8 at the wolstein center at cleveland state university , downtown cleveland .
after dralion closes , arefiev said he’ll hopefully move onto a different cirque show . the company likes to keep their productions fresh , putting together new shows to tour the country , arefiev said .
on july 16 2008 , the curtain will rise in moore park’s entertainment quarter for the australian premier of dralion . tickets for the national tour are on sale now and can be purchased at urltoken
cirque du soleil is famous for its stunning performances , inspiring its audiences with a magical feeling that anything is possible . dralion , their latest program to tour in moscow , is no exception .
tickets for dralion can be purchased online at urltoken or by phone on 1300 130 300 . tickets range from $ 55 to $ 119 for adults and $ 35 to $ 95 for children .
dralion is a cirque du soleil classic and an internationally acclaimed production that has entertained more than 11 million people worldwide since its world premiere in montreal in 1999 . in may 2009 , dralion embarked on a new journey , performing the same mesmerizing production , but now in arenas around the world , giving more people the opportunity to enjoy a cirque du soleil show in their own town .
this entry was posted in best rated reviews , cirque du soleil and tagged best rated , best rated reviews , cirque du soleil dralion houston , top rated cypress tx . bookmark the permalink .
proudly presented by audi , dralion will open in auckland on 9 july 2009 , following a year - long , highly successful five city tour of australia . dralion will be performed under the trademark blue and yellow grand chapiteau ( big top ) at its new site located at alexandra park , greenlane , auckland . tickets to the general public will go on sale on monday , 16 february .
unlike the exercise in restraint and grace that was last year ' s quidam , dralion is a study in exuberance and dazzling verticality : a thematic melange that strings together one superlative performance after another .
dralion was performed at luzhniki stadium from march 6 to 16 . while their current run of performances has already ended , the excellent response from muscovites suggests a repeat tour may be in the works .
cirque will raise its trademark blue - and - yellow big top on the avenue of the arts at broad street and washington avenue and present its new circus - art spectacular ,
dralion .
cirque du soleil dralion amalgamates eastern and western circus together seamlessly . aerial hoops are performed as a tango and scottish bagpipes are combined with african melodies . the show features african dancers , south american clowns and chinese acrobats . such a wide range of performances is not to be found anywhere else and cirque du soleil dralion tickets take on a mesmerizing and thrilling journey that one never wants to stop .
in dralion , ( pronounced
dra - lee - on
) , the four elements that govern the natural order take on a human form . each element is represented by its own evocative colour : air is blue ; water is green ; fire is red ; earth is ochre . in the world of dralion , cultures blend , man and nature are one , and balance is achieved .
dralion is a wonderful blend of amazing acrobatics , stunning choreography , live music with hilarious clowns . it ' s a feast of colour and emotions that will surely appeal to british audiences
.
the name dralion ( pronounced
dra - lee - on
) is drawn from its two main symbols : the dragon , representing the east , and the lion , representing the west . dralion derives much of its inspiration from eastern philosophy with its perpetual quest for harmony between humankind and nature . the international cast features 52 world - class acrobats , gymnasts , musicians , singers and comedic characters .
thrilling more than 8 million people worldwide since the show premiered in 1999 , dralion is the fusion of ancient chinese circus traditions and the avant - garde style of cirque du soleil . in fall 2010 , dralion will embark on a new journey , performing the same captivating production , but now in arenas throughout north america , giving more people the opportunity to enjoy a cirque du soleil show in their own town .
1 . how many people have played the character of yao ( fire ) ? 2 . how many people have played the character of azala ( air ) ? 3 . how many people have played the character of gaia ( earth ) ? 4 . how many people have played the character of océanne ( water ) ? 5 . how many people have played the character of mini - empereur / little buddha ? 6 . how many clowns have performed in dralion ? 7 . how many male singers have performed in dralion ( on / off stage ) ? 8 . how many female singers have performed in dralion ( on / off stage ) ? 9 . how many musicians have there been on dralion ? 10 . what acrobatic acts have been presented 3 , 000 times ? 11 . what act has been the least performed ?
dralion is cirque du soleil ' s thirteenth production . the original tent tour launched in 1999 , and was directed by guy caron , who had worked with cirque in its formative era back in the eighties .
cirque du soleil ' s ' ' dralion ' ' remains a first - rank show unlike any other , and perhaps it is only in the metropolitan area amid fierce competition that its laurels can be challenged .
since it ' s last stop in north america , which was in 2003 , elements of the show have evolved . to keep you on the edge of your seat , cds has improved dralion ' s artist ' s acts , costume designs and scenery . unfortunately , dralion won ' t be mystifying the dallas - fort worth area until july 27 . but , we can offer a sneak peek to tide you over .
the cirque du soleil production of dralion should be the most fun for audiences unfamiliar with the cirque’s unique blend of spectacle and variety acts . for veteran observers , the law of diminishing returns may be setting in .
all that said , ' ' dralion , ' ' a coinage that suggests dragon and lion , is not devoid of pleasure , and several of its opening - night acts drew an enthusiastic response from the audience .
synopsis : fusing the 3000 year - old tradition of chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach ofcirque du soleil® , dralion™ draws its inspiration from eastern philosophy and it’s never ending quest for harmony between man and nature .
learn more about dralion here : urltoken fusing the 3000 year - old tradition of chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of cirque du soleil , dralion draws its inspiration from eastern philosophy and its never - ending quest for harmony between humans and nature . the show ' s name is derived from its two emblematic creatures : the dragon , symbolizing the east , and the lion , symbolizing the west . in dralion , the four elements that govern the natural order take on a human form . thus embodied , each element is represented by its own evocative colour : air is blue ; water is green ; fire is red ; earth is ochre . in the world of dralion , cultures blend , man and nature are one , and balance is achieved . apprenez en plus sur dralion ici : urltoken fusion de la tradition des arts acrobatiques chinois - - vieille de plus de 3 000 ans - - et de l ' approche multidisciplinaire du cirque du soleil , dralion puise son inspiration dans la philosophie orientale caractérisée par la quête perpétuelle de l ' harmonie entre l ' humain et la nature . le nom du spectacle provient de ses deux symboles emblématiques : le dragon , représentant l ' orient , et le lion , l ' occident . dans dralion , les quatre éléments qui régissent l ' ordre naturel prennent une forme humaine . chacun des éléments incarnés par des personnages est représenté par une couleur qui lui est propre : le bleu évoque l ' air ; le vert , l ' eau ; le rouge , le feu ; et l ' ocre , la terre . dans le monde de dralion , les cultures se côtoient , l ' homme et la nature ne font qu ' un , et l ' équilibre règne .
fusing the 3000 year - old tradition of chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of cirque du soleil , dralion draws its inspiration from eastern philosophy and it ' s never ending quest for harmony between man and nature .
' dralion ' is a signature show from cirque du soleil ,
julie desmarais , publicist for cirque du soleil , said .
it is filled with acrobatics , high flying acts and tricks that defy gravity .
i saw quidam when it was in town , and it was fantastic . i ' ve been toying with the idea of seeing dralion and i think you ' ve convinced me to go . thanks for the review .
cirque du soleil ' s critically - acclaimed touring production of dralion will be performing right here in southwest florida , at germain arena , 11000 everblades parkway estero , aug . 1 to 5 , for seven spectacular shows .
prices for dralion range from $ 85 - $ 43 . 75 with a special vip package available for $ 190 - $ 130 . for reservations , call ( 800 ) 678 - 5440 or order online at urltoken .
no , as per the company policy , you don ' t need to be the member for getting the promo code for cirque du soleil dralion tickets . check the directions and place the order as soon as possible .
the sse hydro in glasgow is to host a week - long visit from the world - famous cirque du soleil next year , with their production of dralion undertaking its first uk arena tour to mark its 15th anniversary .
cirque du soleil ' s dralion is at cape town ' s grandwest casino until 17 march and at joburg ' s coca - cola dome from 21 march . tickets are available from computicket . for more information , go to
the title of the show , dralion , is a linguistic blend of “dragon” and “lion” each of which respectively represent the east and the west . this merging of eastern and western cultures is a dominant theme throughout the show .
the first performance of dralion by cirque du soleil is on new year’s eve – and is the extraordinary kick - off to an extraordinary year , as prince george celebrates its 100th birthday , including the 2015 canada winter games .
late in the afternoon we ' re kicking off our celebration at dralion ' s white grand chapiteau with a unique chance to see artists training on a new act since the show was last in country - the trampo wall ! while we wait at the gates , we ' ll have an opportunity to talk with la nouba silk artist ana cuellar , native of monterrey . we ' ll also meet with bruce mather , dralion ' s artistic director and with 2 artists for a 30 - minute q & a . ; although fast - paced , we ' ll also have the opportunity to take a group foto with bruce and the artists in front of the dralion stage ! wow !
fusing the 3000 year - old tradition of chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of cirque du soleil , dralion draws its inspiration from eastern philosophy and its never - ending quest for harmony between humans and nature . the show ' s name is derived from its two emblematic creatures : the dragon , symbolizing the east , and the lion , symbolizing the west . in dralion , the four elements that govern the natural order take on a human form . thus embodied , each element is represented by its own evocative colour : air is blue ; water is green ; fire is red ; earth is ochre . in the world of dralion , cultures blend , man and nature are one , and balance is achieved .
“dralion” has four - person wardrobe team . two more people will be hired locally . the team does the washing , steaming , repairing and alterations of the costumes , which are initially designed for the cast and modified frequently during a tour .
dralion visits glasgow ( 8 - 11 may ) , sheffield ( 14 - 18 may ) , birmingham ( 22 - 25 may ) , london ' s o2 ( 4 - 8 june ) and manchester ( 11 - 15 june ) .
in dralion , the four elements that govern the natural order take on a human form . thus embodied , each element is represented by its own evocative colour : air is blue ; water is green ; fire is red ; earth is ochre . in the world of dralion , cultures blend , man and nature are one , and balance is achieved . the elements are shown through the use of unique costumes – some 3000 pieces that comprise 58 road cases when packed for the road .
after 15 years , # dralion has enchanted close to 11 million fans while visiting more than 150 cities in 30 countries in north america , central america , south africa , europe , japan , russia , middle east , australia and new zealand .
wednesday night was opening night for the minneapolis stop on cirque du soleil’s dralion tour . the show , which premiered in canada back in 1999 and makes an appearance every now and then , “draws its inspiration from eastern philosophy and its never - ending quest for harmony between humans and nature . ” directed by guy caron , choreographed by julie lachance , and outfitted by costume designer francois barbeau , dralion is an insane spectacle , though a little differently insane than i had imagined it would be .
melody wood , costume director , took some time to speak with us on what it ' s been like touring with cirque ' s dralion for the past 11 weeks . we asked her about the show and what goes on behind the curtain .
dralion is the cirque du soleil ' s 12th touring production . it started as a tour show under the grand chapiteau in 1999 , but in 2010 it was converted to be suitable for arenas and began a tour of eastern europe in 2014 . this region is somewhat appropriate for the themes of the show , as dralion attempts to combine traditions and symbols of ancient cultures of the east and west , as the title of the show suggests , combining an eastern dragon with a western lion .
the dralion is an apt symbol as each performer is a versatile fusion of different skills . acrobats are as much dancers as anything else , the clowns are humourous athletes , while the juggler is as fluid and lithe as any of the dancers .
although in the beginning the internal reaction to dralion was , as cirque put it , “less than generous” – as the change from the old order was too much for some – dralion quickly found its audience and became one of cirque du soleil’s top - grossing touring shows . even the 2000 filming of the show became the recipient of three primetime emmy awards : outstanding variety , music or comedy special ; outstanding directing for a variety or musical ; and outstanding costumes for a variety or music program .
advance discounted tickets for dralion are available now online exclusively to cirque club members through april 12 . cirque club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets , special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information . to join , go to urltoken .
cirque du soleil dralion tickets can be bought from the venue but they may not be selling for very cheap rates . you can easily order them on our website and have them delivered to our doorstep or opt to have them picked up from the venue
dralion tickets for the general public will be available starting june 13 , 2011 at urltoken or by calling 1 - 888 - 695 - 0888 ( cypress – berry center ) or 1 - 866 - 446 - 8849 ( houston – toyota center ) .
this idea generated the concept of dralion ,
explained publicist julie desmarais .
fusing the 3000 - year - old tradition of chinese acrobatic arts with the multi - disciplinary approach of cirque du soleil , dralion draws its inspiration from eastern philosophy and its never - ending quest for harmony between humans and nature . the show ' s name ( pronounced ' dra - lee - on ' ) is derived from its two emblematic creatures : the dragon symbolising the east and the lion symbolising the west .
about the show fusing the 3000 year - old tradition of chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of cirque du soleil , dralion ( pronounced “dra - lee - on” ) draws its inspiration from eastern philosophy and its never - ending quest for harmony between humans and nature . the show’s name is derived from its two emblematic creatures : the dragon , symbolizing the east , and the lion , symbolizing the west . in dralion , the four elements that govern the natural order take on a human form . thus embodied , each element is represented by its own evocative colour : air is blue ; water is green ; fire is red ; earth is ochre . in the world of dralion , cultures blend , man and nature are one , and balance is achieved .
we incorporate a wide variety of acrobatics , contortionists , jugglers , trampolinists - - and the list could go on with what we bring to transform the arena atmosphere into a cirque experience , and in this case the experience of ' dralion . '
dralion draws on the 3 , 000 year - old tradition of chinese acrobatic arts and eastern philosophy , specifically the quest for harmony between humans and nature . the show’s name is derived from its two emblematic creatures — the dragon , symbolizing the east , and the lion , symbolizing the west . in dralion , the four elements that govern the natural order take on a human form . each is represented by a color — air is blue ; water is green ; fire is red ; and earth is ochre .
trampoline artists practice ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the grand chapiteau at alexandra park on july 17 , 2009 in auckland , new zealand . the production will play new zealand until august 23 , when it will . . .
dralion fuses 3000 - year - old tradition of chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of cirque du soleil . the show ' s name is derived from its two creatures : the dragon , symbolising the east , and the lion , symbolising the west .
it ' s back to work for the cast of # dralion . here ' s a short video of the crossed wheel training that occurred earlier today . did you know that the crossed wheel was invited by it ' s performer 6 years ago ? # backstagecirque
of course , no circus is complete without clowns , and dralion ' s crew of italian misfits - vincenti , alberti and giovanni , played respectively by gonzalo munoz , michael edward hugues and facundo gimenez - happily eschew the tired red nose and comically oversized shoes .
uuve jansson prepares backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the grand chapiteau at alexandra park on july 17 , 2009 in auckland , new zealand . the production will play new zealand until august 23 , when it will . . .
artists prepare backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the grand chapiteau at alexandra park on july 17 , 2009 in auckland , new zealand . the production will play new zealand until august 23 , when it will continue . . .
the ballet on lights girls prepare backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the grand chapiteau at alexandra park on july 17 , 2009 in auckland , new zealand . the production will play new zealand until august 23 , . . .
costumes are prepared backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the grand chapiteau at alexandra park on july 17 , 2009 in auckland , new zealand . the production will play new zealand until august 23 , when it will . . .
what audiences will likely remember after the close of the show are dralion’s stunning , jaw - dropping performances . no two shows are alike , so while you may have seen a performance where an artist juggles , it will be very different from show to show .
cirque du soleil opened their arms and hearts as passionates embraced all things dralion . we kicked off our first activity thursday afternoon down at the gates of the big top . we met ana cuellar , la nouba silk artist , for an impromptu chat then took our seats inside the grand chapiteau to watch an amazing training session featuring double trapeze and trampoline , an act added to the show in recent times . after training concluded , bruce mather , artistic director for dralion , and a couple of trampoline artists joined us for a question an answer session . before long our time with dralion had come to an end , but not before bruce announced a surprise - we were to join them saturday evening between shows for a back - stage group photograph with a few of the artists ! wow !
the music in dralion has a lot of middle - eastern elements and percussion in it . that dictated how we designed the sound for the whole show . as soon as you walk into the big top , you ' re in that atmosphere , in that environment .
“the sales for dralion tickets in brisbane have already exceeded our expectations , telling us that once again queenslanders will step up to the mark and embrace the cirque du soleil experience , ” said cirque du soleil vice - president of marketing for asia pacific , milan rokic .
but the dancing lions of ' ' dralion ' ' are not nearly as ornate , adroit and endearing as those of the peking acrobats , and the hoop - diving young men do not eclipse their counterparts in times square . the hard - working , clever clowns , who sometimes overstay their welcome ( although they are never better than when sending up ' ' dralion ' ' itself ) cannot compare with the brilliant david shiner of the 1991 cirque or with ringling ' s current bello nock or the assured veterans of the peking ensemble .
from december 31 , 2014 to january 4 , 2015 , prince george will experience for the first time the magic of a cirque du soleil signature production that has performed in more than 150 cities . dralion will be presented at the cn centre for only seven performances .
fusing the 3000 year - old tradition of chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of cirque du soleil , dralion ( pronounced
dra - lee - on
) draws its inspiration from eastern philosophy and its never - ending quest for harmony between humans and nature .
“the music in dralion has a lot of middle - eastern elements and percussion in it . that dictated how we designed the sound for the whole show . as soon as you walk into the theatre , you’re in that atmosphere , in that environment . ” – guy desrochers
the idea for
dralion
had been bouncing around in cirque ' s collective unconscious for a dozen years or so , caron says , before he and guy laliberte began fleshing out the concept . but dralion ' s development was difficult from the start . several months into pre - production , original director philppe decoufflé abandoned ship , suggesting the project was too big for him . faced with the challenge of mounting a new show , with a new team , in a compressed period of time , guy laliberté turned to an old friend : guy caron . caron ' s job on dralion wasn ' t easy , though . he ' d have to pick up the pieces and mold them into a show to meet or exceed the exceptions laid down by the likes of quidam ,
o
and la nouba .
artists prepare backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the grand chapiteau at alexandra park on july 17 , 2009 in auckland , new zealand . the production will play new zealand until august 23 , when it will continue on tour to mexico .
uuve jansson applies her make - up backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the grand chapiteau at alexandra park on july 17 , 2009 in auckland , new zealand . the production will play new zealand until august 23 , when . . .
trampoline artists practice ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the grand chapiteau at alexandra park on july 17 , 2009 in auckland , new zealand . the production will play new zealand until august 23 , when it will continue on tour to mexico .
i ' m going to make a show around my happiness to be alive ,
said guy charon , cirque du soleil director and its first artistic director , describing the theatrical circus company ' s latest production , dralion .
it is a celebration of life .
ing or hear stella errans , but i was thrilled when agnes and cristian performed spiritual sprial . sad to see another classic cirque show end , but dralion is going out with a bang ! congrats on 15 years of touring and best of luck to everyone with future endeavors .
today’s dralion is much different from the show that premiered under cirque’s trademarked blue - and - yellow big top , raised on the grounds adjacent to cirque du soleil studio at 8400 , 2e avenue in the st - michel district ( the only show to have done so ) .
several of cirque du soleil’s nine touring shows play under a big top . two more are staged permanently in orlando and las vegas . “dralion” will be retired at the end of january . “other projects are coming . it’s a good time to retire it , ” desmarais said .
uuve jansson prepares backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the grand chapiteau at alexandra park on july 17 , 2009 in auckland , new zealand . the production will play new zealand until august 23 , when it will continue on tour to mexico .
costumes are prepared backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the grand chapiteau at alexandra park on july 17 , 2009 in auckland , new zealand . the production will play new zealand until august 23 , when it will continue on tour to mexico .
dralion has been traveling the united states and canada for the past three years . stops have included montreal , toronto , san francisco , san jose , denver , minneapolis / st - paul and atlanta with chicago , houston and boston to follow after new york / new jersey .
the cirque , last in new york three years ago with quidam , arrives april 4 with dralion , an all - new spectacle combining ancient chinese acrobatic arts with the cirque ' s typical style , at liberty state park in jersey city . opening night is set for april 12 .
advance discounted tickets for dralion are available now online exclusively to cirque club members through june 12 , 2011 . cirque club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets , special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information . to join , go to www . cirqueclub . com .
tickets for dralion go on sale to the general public monday 16 february and can be purchased online at urltoken or by phone on 09 3570133 . tickets range from $ 55 . 00 to $ 119 . 00 for adults and $ 35 . 00 to $ 95 . 00 for children .
although the machinery of ' ' dralion ' ' is modern , the performances are rooted in the same tradition visible in the splendid and broader palette of the peking acrobats . and these days , the ringling brothers circus has adopted some of the avant - garde approach of cirque du soleil .
dralion tickets go on sale friday , june 20 , at 10 : 00 am for all performances and can be purchased online at urltoken urltoken or by calling 1 - 855 - 985 - 5000 , or in person at the cn centre box office , or studio 2880 in prince george .
dralion will be the first tour where new zealanders will have access to the new revolutionary cirque du soleil ticketing system , which has been enormously successful in north america , europe and australia . cirque du soleil vice - president of marketing for asia - pacific , milan rokic said : “cirque du soleil fans demand innovation . with this new state - of - the - art booking tool , they will receive unparalleled access to their choice of viewing experience under the grand chapiteau . on stage , dralion continues our tradition of setting the benchmark for live theatrical productions combined with explosive acrobatic talent” .
* dralions - - a blend of traditional chinese dragon and lion dances takes on new scope when re - imagined by cirque du soleil . the artists perform acrobatic moves while balancing on large wooden balls as the
dralion
( dragon - lion ) characters surround them with a spirited dance .
the ballet on lights girls prepare backstage ahead of cirque du soleil ' s ' dralion ' production at the grand chapiteau at alexandra park on july 17 , 2009 in auckland , new zealand . the production will play new zealand until august 23 , when it will continue on tour to mexico .
created and directed by guy caron , dralion has been touring the world since april 1999 and is currently wowing audiences in sydney , and will be moving to canberra in mid - october . it is a fusion of ancient chinese circus traditions and the avant - garde approach of cirque du soleil .


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editorial note : this content is not provided by american express . any opinions , analyses , reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author ' s alone , and have not been reviewed , approved or otherwise endorsed by american express . this site may be compensated through the advertiser ' s affiliate programs .
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the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which urltoken receives compensation . this compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site , including , for example , the order in which they appear on category pages . urltoken does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers , although best efforts are made to include a comprehensive list of offers regardless of compensation . advertiser partners include american express , u . s . bank , and barclaycard , among others .
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must pay in full within 60 days of your due date . the american express plum card is a charge card , which means you can’t carry a balance from month to month and continue making purchases . but that shouldn’t be an issue because business credit cards are bad for financing to begin with , since issuers can increase the interest rate on a balance at any time . furthermore , the plum amex gives you a bit more leeway than most charge cards , allowing you up to 60 days after your due date to pay your bill in full before assessing interest and suspending spending privileges . you just have to pay at least the required minimum by the due date .
4 . annual fee : the annual fee of $ 250 for your basic card is waived for the first year of your membership . the annual fee for additional plum cards is $ 0 .
the plum card’s strengths appeal to businesses with unpredictable cash flows , especially those affected by seasonality , such as retailers in vacation towns . at the same time , it’s not for everyone . before you apply for this card , make sure you understand its limitations .
entertainment access : if part of your business routine involves entertaining clients , make sure you purchase event tickets with your plum card . members can take advantage of exclusive presales for sought - after events .
car rental insurance : you’re covered up to $ 50 , 000 if a car you rent with your plum card gets damaged or stolen . just refuse the rental company’s insurance to activate your coverage .
the plum card is comparable to a number of other business credit cards and charge cards , including amex’s other color - coded charge cards : business platinum , business green rewards , and business gold rewards .
advertiser disclosure : this post includes references to offers from our partners including american express . we may receive compensation when you click on links to those products . however , the opinions expressed here are ours alone and at no time has the editorial content been provided , reviewed , or approved by any issuer .
keep in mind that the plum card is meant for business owners with a good or excellent credit score and ample cash flow . if you’re just starting out and can’t demonstrate adequate revenues , or if you have any significant credit blemishes , you likely won’t qualify for this card .
earn a $ 100 statement credit after you make $ 1 , 000 in purchases on the card within your first 3 months of card membership .
the 1 . 5 % discount alone , does not make the plum card® from american express open a good choice for small business owners . the discount is effectively a cash back / statement credit award at a rewards rate of 1 . 5 % . with the high annual fee of $ 250 a year , you ' d have to spend over $ 16 , 000 annually on the card just to break even . judged purely on rewards , a number of other small business cards offer greater rewards rates , with substantially less annual costs . a card like the capital one® spark® cash offers 2 % cash back on all purchases and will cost you only $ 95 a year .
disclaimer : this content was first published on august 17 , 2011 . this content may have been updated on july 11 , 2016 . information including apr , terms and benefits may vary , be out of date , or not applicable to you . information is provided without warranty . please check american express website for updated information .
open savings benefit is a powerful incentive to spend with popular merchants . the plum card’s open savings benefit boosts your earning power – via 5 % discounts – on purchases that you’re not unlikely to make anyway : fedex shipping , hertz rental cars , and urltoken gift baskets . this is a nice fringe benefit that boosts plum’s already attractive 1 . 5 % early payment discount .
is your business better off with a charge card or a credit card ? does it matter ? yes . read this article to learn the important differences .
free uber ride ( up to $ 30 ) with promo code uberamex when you use an american express card as the payment method to get your free ride . keep in mind that the promo code must be applied to your uber account prior to taking first uber ride and is valid on all vehicle options except ubert . this offer is available in u . s . only and it expires on july 31 , 2018 .
purchase protection : if something you buy with your plum card gets stolen or damaged in the first 90 days , you’re covered up to $ 1 , 000 per item . there’s an account limit of $ 50 , 000 per year .
flexible business charge card to help manage cash flow . . . read full review
disclaimer : this content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer . opinions expressed here are author ' s alone , not those of the credit card issuer , and have not been reviewed , approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer . this site may be compensated through the credit card issuer affiliate program .
extended warranty coverage : for businesses with a hefty amount of regular equipment purchases , the extended warranty program offered with the plum card can come in handy if you run into a problem after the manufacturer ' s warranty expires . exclusions apply .
return protection : if you want to return an item you bought with your plum card and the store won’t let you , you’re covered up to $ 300 per item . the maximum benefit is $ 1 , 000 per account per year .
no rewards beyond early repayment benefit . unlike most other american express business credit and charge cards , as well as many business cards issued by other companies , plum doesn’t earn rewards or cash back points beyond the on - time repayment deal . other amex business charge and credit cards earn 1 to 3 membership rewards points per $ 1 spent on some or all purchases , while some business cash back cards , such as capital one spark cash for business , earn as much as 2 % cash back across the board .
in terms of the annual fee , you ' ll pay $ 175 versus plum ' s $ 250 , and it ' s waived for the first year .
flexible spending : the plum card doesn ' t have a pre - set spending limit , which means your credit line can grow along with your business . that ' s an advantage if you ' re planning a major purchase down the line .
solid the first year , if you pay early . in addition to offering extra time to pay , the amex plum card actually rewards you for paying early . you get 1 . 5 % off the amount of any bill payment made within 10 days of your monthly due date , provided in the form of a statement credit . and that’s important because the plum card offers no other rewards . unfortunately , this perk isn’t as attractive once you pass the 12 - month mark , as the card’s annual fee will take effect and eat away at your early - payment savings .
get up to $ 200 in statement credits per calendar year on a selected airline for incidentals such as baggage fees , lounge day passes , and more . access to 5 airport lounge networks including the centurion® lounge network , the international american express lounges , delta sky club® lounges , priority pass ( tm ) select , and airspace lounge . enrollment required for priority pass select .
enroll for complimentary spg gold status ( starwood preferred guest gold preferred guest ) . enroll for complimentary hilton honors gold status . fine hotels & resorts - book your stay through american express fhr at one of 600 luxury hotels and you may get a room upgrade upon arrival , daily continental breakfast for 2 , guaranteed 4pm late checkout and a special amenity unique to each property .
every credit card has its benefits . the plum card is a great card for small business , that needs an extension of 30 days to pay it back . if you can afford o pay early , there is a really cool early pay discount , which in total lowers the cost of your purchase . an additional amazing feature is , the unlimited spending limit , obviously based on your spending , payment and credit history it may increase or decrease , however its a great benefit . overall , it has more benefits than loses , just remember that its a credit card , not a gift card .
35 % airline bonus : use membership rewards® pay with points for all or part of a flight with your selected qualifying airline , and you can get 35 % of the points back , up to 500 , 000 bonus points per calendar year . you can also receive 35 % points back on all first and business class flights , with all airlines available through american express travel .
a history of the changes made to card the card ' s features , benefits , bonuses and any other other details that have an impact in a cardholder ' s decision .
flexible repayment option . the plum card’s flexible repayment option sets it apart from most other charge cards , including its fellow color - coded amex business charge cards . it’s great for companies with unpredictable revenues or expenses – such as seasonal businesses , a key marketing target for this card . unlike most other charge and credit cards , the plum card doesn’t charge interest or fees for 60 days after the statement closing date , as long as you pay at least 10 % plus previously carried balances by the due date . that’s a big plus if you need a little extra time to pay your balance in full .
for example : if you currently average $ 5 , 000 in monthly expenses , you could save $ 75 a month with the plum card simply by paying early . this adds up to $ 900 a year , far more than the $ 250 annual fee .
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the $ 250 annual fee is waived for the first year , and there is no foreign transaction fee . late payments , which american express defines as balances left unpaid for more than 2 consecutive statement cycles ( 60 days ) , cost $ 38 or 2 . 99 % of the late balance – whichever is greater . returned payments cost $ 38 . terms and conditions apply – see rates and fees .
personal credit scores are key . although amex plum is a business credit card , available only to business owners , you’re personally responsible for paying off balances . as a result , amex considers your personal credit history ( along with that of your business credit ) when you apply .
employee cards : adding on employees to your charge account can get expensive if you ' re paying multiple annual fees . fortunately , employee plum cards are available at no additional annual fee .
no foreign transaction fee . the plum card doesn’t have a foreign transaction fee , which is nice for cardmembers whose business takes them outside the united states . u . s . bank business edge world mastercard has a 2 % to 3 % foreign transaction fee , depending on currency denomination .
check out our roundup if you’re still wondering what is the best credit card for your business needs .
running a business is unpredictable . one month you may be flush with cash and another month you may worry how you ' ll pay your bills . with the plum card , you can take up to 60 days to pay without incurring interest charges , as long as you pay at least your minimum due .
* see the online credit card application for details about terms and conditions . reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information . however all credit card information is presented without warranty . when you click on the
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how we calculate rewards : valuepenguin calculates the value of rewards by estimating the dollar value of any points , miles or bonuses earned using the card less any associated annual fees . these estimates here are valuepenguin ' s alone , not those of the card issuer , and have not been reviewed , approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer .
here ' s our opinion : the plum card is good for established businesses who may not have consistent cash flow from month to month . the deferred payment option will give you a nice breather to pay later without interest . however , keep in mind that in order to justify the $ 250 annual fee , you ' ll have to pay early for at least $ 17 , 000 worth of bills per year . this may be problematic for smaller businesses . analyzing your current spending patterns can tell you whether you stand to gain or lose by opening a plum account .
those are the most valuable amex plum benefits . there are a few others , including special ticket pre - sales for entertainment and sporting events . but unlike the perks listed above , those don’t come with a clear dollar value .
the plum card has two unique payment options each month . you can get an early pay discount on part of your statement balance , and you can take up to 60 days to pay the rest without interest when you pay the minimum due by the payment due date . so take advantage and pay your bill the way that works for your business .
no complicated rewards system . the plum card’s early repayment discount is about as simple as credit card rewards get . if you pay part or all of your balance within 10 days of statement closing , you effectively get 1 . 5 % cash back on that amount . by contrast , many other amex business credit and charge cards use the somewhat confusing membership rewards program , which features variable point values , variable minimum redemption requirements , and limits to what you can redeem for .
no pre - set spending limit . as a charge card , it doesn ' t have a pre - set spending limit . your purchasing power will adjust with your use of the card , your payment history , credit record and other factors .
plum cardholders earn 5 % discounts on purchases made with open savings partner merchants , including fedex , hertz , and urltoken ( see the full list at urltoken ) . every discount is automatically applied to your billing statement for the purchase month .
high annual fee . the plum card comes with a $ 250 annual fee . that’s higher than fellow amex charge cards , such as business green rewards ( $ 95 ) and business gold rewards ( $ 175 ) , and higher than popular business credit cards , such as capital one spark miles ( $ 59 ) and chase ink business preferred ( $ 95 ) .
at urltoken we compare credit cards and rate them objectively based on the credit card ' s features , interest rates and fees .
1 . welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product . earn up to $ 600 back the up to $ 600 back will appear as three $ 200 credits . to be eligible to earn each statement credit , you must charge $ 10 , 000 in qualifying purchases * during the first 3 months of card membership , starting from the date your account is approved . each $ 200 statement credit you are eligible for will be credited to your account within that statement cycle period in which you have met the purchase requirement . limit one offer per card account . offer may not be combined with any other special offer . your account must be in good standing and not in default at the time of fulfillment of any offers . american express reserves the right to modify or revoke offer at any time .
earn up to $ 600 back . here ' s how : earn a $ 200 statement credit after each $ 10 , 000 you spend in purchases on the card , up to $ 30 , 000 , within the first 3 months of card membership . ¹
- automatically get a 5 % discount credited to your statement when you use your card for eligible purchases with open savings partners . 6
however , don ' t forget about the plum card ' s generous deferred payment plan . we think this is where the real value lies . the ability to take up to 60 days to pay without interest ( as long as you pay your minimum due ) is invaluable for businesses whose cash flow varies from month - to - month and may not be able to pay in full each month .
lots of fringe benefits . the plum card has lots of business and non - business benefits , including 24 / 7 global assistance and roadside assistance , automatic alerts when employees use additional cards on the account , extended warranties on purchased items , and more . chase ink business cash , chase ink business preferred , and the u . s . bank business edge family of cards don’t have such robust benefits .
this charge card gives you the option to pay in full each month or to carry a balance for up to 60 days with no interest .
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hmm , the amex plum card is very interesting to me . it’s obviously different than most charge cards in that it seems like you don’t necessarily have to pay your bill in full at the end of the month . the pay early discount of 1 . 5 % off your tab if you pay in full within 10 days of a billing cycle ending and the option to only pay 10 % and pay off the rest over two months
* see the card issuer ' s online application for details about terms and conditions . reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information . however , all information is presented without warranty . when you click on the
apply now
button you can review the terms and conditions on the card issuer ' s website .
account manager when you designate an account manager , you can allow trusted individuals - like an assistant or business partner - to access and manage your business card account . so you can trust your account manager to get the work done when you can ' t be there .  spend manager sm spend manager sm is a feature available to help you manage your card expenses by allowing you to add receipts and notes to your transactions either via desktop or your mobile device .  connect to quickbooks ® label and transfer your transaction data from your american express online statement directly into your quickbooks account .  account alerts set account alerts to help you avoid late payments , notify you of irregular activity , and monitor employee card spending . year - end summary at the end of the year , see a complete summary that categorizes your spend by month and purchase type , and helps you track your business expenses down to the last detail .  online statements view your purchase history , prepare reports , and budget your expenses . mobile and tablet apps easily manage your account , pay your bill , check your balance , view your benefits and more from your mobile phone or tablet .
you carry a balance longer than 60 days from time to time : if you need to be able to stretch out your payments for purchases occasionally , the plum card isn ' t for you . while you do have that 60 - day window to pay without interest ( assuming you pay at least the minimum payment due , which is 10 % ) , sometimes your business needs more time . if so , take a look at how these business credit cards compare .
no preset spending limit * the plum card empowers you to buy big . with no preset spending limit , the card gives you purchasing power that can adjust with your use of the card and other factors . * no preset spending limit does not mean unlimited spending . purchasing power adjusts with your use of the card , your payment history , credit record and financial resources known to us , and other factors . choose your billing cycle choose to receive your bill at the beginning , middle , or end of the month . when you pay within the first ten days , you ' ll get 1 . 5 % back .  employee cards get additional flexibility with employee cards at no additional annual fee . employee cards can make it easier for your team to do their jobs , while making it easier for you to stay on top of their spending . plus , get an early pay discount on employee spending if you add employee cards to your account and pay early .
expense tracking tools : you can download the amex spend manager app to keep track of receipts and manage cards from your phone . and if you have quickbooks , you can enroll in connect to quickbooks . your plum transactions will automatically transfer to your quickbooks every day . you also get a year - end summary of charges .
no foreign transaction fees . this is a great benefit since you won ' t have to pay any foreign transaction fees when you make purchases in another currency using your card .
cards are rated by our team based primarily on the basis of value for money to the cardholder . the urltoken team rates each card based on its annual fee , rewards , benefits , bonus , introductory apr , ongoing apr , flexibility ( in how its benefits can be used and how rewards are earned and redeemed ) , and other card features .
members earn 3 points per $ 1 in 1 category of their choice : airfare , advertising , gas , shipping , or technology purchases ( see our in - depth business gold rewards card review for category definitions ) . you also earn double points on the other 4 categories in purchases annually . the triple points and double points apply to the first $ 100 , 000 in purchases in each of the 5 categories per year . the card pays 1 point per $ 1 on purchases over the annual limit or outside the five bonus categories . finally , there ' s a 50 , 000 - point bonus available if you spend $ 5 , 000 on the card within the first three months of card membership .
you want rewards : earning 1 . 5 % back just for paying your bill early is appealing , but you could be potentially earning even more by choosing a different card with a different rewards rate for specific categories . if your focus is on saving your business money , choosing a card with a more - inclusive rewards structure could be the right move .
the card ' s biggest downside is the annual fee , which comes to $ 450 , but frequent business travelers should see if the various premium benefits could justify the annual fee .
the early repayment discount , flexible repayment options , lack of foreign transaction fees , and open access are nice benefits . the high annual fee , lack of a welcome offer and membership rewards , and potential for a low spending limit are drawbacks . overall , plum offers unusual flexibility and a solid cash back rate , but some business owners may conclude that more compelling options exist .
find a charge or credit card that is right for you . choose from personal charge & credit cards , small business charge and credit cards , corporate cards , gift cards and pre - paid cards .
* no preset spending limit does not mean unlimited spending . purchasing power adjusts with your use of the card , your payment history , credit record and financial resources known to us , and other factors .
purchase protection and extended warranty on eligible purchases made with your card . purchase protection can protect eligible purchases made with your card against accidental damage and theft for up to 90 days from the date of purchase . the extended warranty extends the term of the original manufacturer ' s warranty up to one more year on eligible purchases with warranties of five years or less that are eligible in the u . s .
where the card can come out ahead however is for businesses where short term cash flow issues force them to carry short term balances . by taking advantage of the deferral you can shift keep a balance on the credit card constantly without paying interest until your company is better able to pay it off . this works if the company has a spike in expenses or loss in revenues for a period of a month .