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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000004962-02-000063.txt : 20021119
<SEC-HEADER>0000004962-02-000063.hdr.sgml : 20021119
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20021119141422
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000004962-02-000063
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20021119
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other events
FILED AS OF DATE:		20021119

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN EXPRESS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000004962
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FINANCE SERVICES [6199]
		IRS NUMBER:				134922250
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07657
		FILM NUMBER:		02832713

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		AMERICAN EXPRESS TWR WORLD FINANCIAL CN
		STREET 2:		200 VESEY ST 49TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10285
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2126402000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		AMERICAN EXPRESS TOWER
		STREET 2:		200 VESEY ST 49TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10285
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>sharerepurchase.txt
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>
=============================================================================


                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
                          --------------------------

                                   FORM 8-K

                                CURRENT REPORT

                    Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                          --------------------------

      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 18, 2002

                          --------------------------



                           AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                          --------------------------



          New York                      1-7657                 13-4922250
- ----------------------------   ------------------------    -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission File Number)    (I.R.S. Employer
     of incorporation)                                      Identification No.)


       200 Vesey Street, World Financial Center
                  New York, New York                       10285
       ----------------------------------------          ----------
       (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)


      Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 640-2000

              ---------------------------------------------------
        (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)



 ============================================================================

<PAGE>
Item 5.   Other Events.

On November 18, 2002, the Registrant issued a press release announcing
the authorization of the repurchase of additional shares as part of its share
repurchase program and declaration of its regular quarterly dividend. Such
press release is filed herein as Exhibit 99.1.

<PAGE>
                                SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                       AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
                                       (REGISTRANT)

                                       By     /s/ Stephen P. Norman
                                              ---------------------
                                       Name:  Stephen P. Norman
                                       Title: Secretary

DATE:  November 19, 2002
<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Item No.                          Description
- --------                          -----------

    99.1   Press release of American Express Company, dated November 18, 2002,
           announcing the authorization of the repurchase of additional shares
           as part of its share repurchase program and declaration of its
           regular quarterly dividend.



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1 PR RELEASE
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>pressreleaseauthorization.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>

                                                                 Exhibit 99.1

    NEWS RELEASE     NEWS RELEASE     NEWS RELEASE     NEWS RELEASE

[LOGO OF AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY]

                                                American Express Company
                                                American Express Tower
                                                World Financial Center
                                                New York, N.Y. 10285-4805

                                                Contact: Molly Faust
                                                         212/640-0624
                                                         molly.faust@aexp.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

              AMERICAN EXPRESS BOARD AUTHORIZES REPURCHASE OF UP
    TO 120 MILLION ADDITIONAL SHARES, DECLARES REGULAR QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

NEW YORK, November 18, 2002 -- The Board of Directors of American Express
Company today approved the repurchase of up to 120 million additional common
shares, from time to time as market conditions allow. This represents
approximately nine percent of the 1.3 billion common shares outstanding at
October 31, 2002.

This authorization is a continuation of the company's share repurchase
program, which began in September 1994. Prior to today's announcement, the
board had authorized repurchases totaling 450 million shares, including
purchases made under agreements with third parties. As of October 31, 2002,
the company had repurchased a total of 379 million shares.

The company believes that utilizing excess capital to repurchase shares
in the open market represents an effective means of building shareholder
value.

Separately, the board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend
of $0.08 per common share, payable February 10, 2003, to shareholders of
record on January 3, 2003.

American Express Company (www. americanexpress.com), founded in 1850, is a
global travel, financial and network services company.

                                     ###


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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