<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-16.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>amexco8k-ex161_1208.txt
<TEXT>
                              Ernst & Young LLP
                                 5 Times Square
                               New York, NY 10036
                              Phone: (212) 773-3000
                                   www.ey.com


December 8, 2004


Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549


Gentlemen:

We have read item 4.01 of Form 8-K/A dated December 8, 2004, of American Express
Company and are in agreement with the fourth sentence of the first paragraph and
the statements contained in the second and third paragraphs on page 1 therein.
We have no basis to agree or disagree with other statements of the registrant
contained therein.


Very truly yours,

Ernst & Young LLP


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
