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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000004962-03-000060.txt : 20030429
<SEC-HEADER>0000004962-03-000060.hdr.sgml : 20030429
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030429145630
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000004962-03-000060
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030428
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030429

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOWEN WILLIAM G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001204360
		RELATIONSHIP:				DIRECTOR

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MERCK & CO INC
		STREET 2:		ONE MERCK DRIVE P O BOX 100
		CITY:			WHITEHOUSE STATION
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08889-0100
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9084231000

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	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:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07657
		FILM NUMBER:		03669166

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 VESEY STREET
		STREET 2:		50TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10285
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2126402000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 VESEY STREET
		STREET 2:		50TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10285
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 - 04-28-2003
<TEXT>
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 4
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
( ) Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16.
Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instructions 1(b).
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person
   William G. Bowen
   The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
140 East 62nd Street
   NY, New York 10021
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
   American Express Company (AXP)

3. IRS or Social Security Number of Reporting Person (Voluntary)

4. Statement for Month/Day/Year
   4/28/2003
5. If Amendment, Date of Original (Month/Day/Year)

6. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable)
   (X) Director ( ) 10% Owner ( ) Officer (give title below) ( ) Other
   (specify below)

7. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
   (X) Form filed by One Reporting Person
   ( ) Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Table I -- Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned                                                 |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
1. Title of Security|2.    |2A.   |3.    |4.Securities Acquired (A)         |5.Amount of        |6.Dir |7.Nature of Indirect       |
                    |Trans-|Exec- |Trans |  or Disposed of (D)              |  Securities       |ect   |  Beneficial Ownership     |
                    |action|ution |action|                                  |  Beneficially     |(D)or |                           |
                    |      |      |    | |                  | A/|           |  Owned Following  |Indir |                           |
                    |Date  | Date |Code|V|    Amount        | D |    Price  |  Reported Trans(s)|ect(I)|                           |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
<S>                 <C>    <C>    <C>  <C><C>               <C> <C>         <C>                 <C>    <C>
Common Shares       |      |      |    | |                  |   |           |35468              |D     |                           |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Common Shares       |      |      |    | |                  |   |           |5520               |I     |by spouse                  |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
<CAPTION>
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
 Table II -- Derivative Securitites Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned                                                   |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
1.Title of   |2.Con-  |3.     |3A.   |4.    |5.Number of De |6.Date Exer|7.Title and Amount  |8.Price|9.Number    |10.|11.Nature of|
  Derivative |version |Trans- |Deemed|Trans-| rivative Secu |cisable and|  of Underlying     |of Deri|of Deriva   |Dir|Indirect    |
  Security   |or Exer |action |      |action| rities Acqui  |Expiration |  Securities        |vative |tive        |ect|Beneficial  |
             |cise    |       |Execu-|      | red(A) or Dis |Date(Month/|                    |Secu   |Securities  |(D)|Ownership   |
             |Price of|       |ution |      | posed of(D)   |Day/Year)  |                    |rity   |Benefi      |or |            |
             |Deriva- |       |      |      |               |Date |Expir|                    |       |ficially    |Ind|            |
             |tive    |       |      |      |           | A/|Exer-|ation|   Title and Number |       |Owned Follow|ire|            |
             |Secu-   |(Month/|(Month|    | |           | D |cisa-|Date |   of Shares        |       |ing Reported|ct |            |
             |rity    |Day/   |/Day/ |Code|V|  Amount   |   |ble  |     |                    |       |Trans-      |(I)|            |
             |        |Year)  |Year) |    | |           |   |     |     |                    |       |action(s)   |   |            |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
<S>          <C>      <C>     <C>    <C>  <C><C>        <C> <C>   <C>   <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>          <C> <C>
Share Equival|1-for-1 |4/28/ 2|4/28/ |A   | |1000       |A  |1    |     |Common Share|1000   |       |1000        |D  |            |
ent Units    |        |003    |2003  |    | |           |   |     |     |s           |       |       |            |   |            |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
             |        |       |      |    | |           |   |     |     |            |       |       |            |   |            |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
</TABLE>
Explanation of Responses:
1. The reported share equivalent units were acquired pursuant to the Company's
2003 Share Equivalent Unit Plan for Directors and will be settled in cash
following termination of service as a Director.
SIGNATURE OF REPORTING PERSON
William G. Bowen
William G. Bowen

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