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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000930413-09-002661.txt : 20090514
<SEC-HEADER>0000930413-09-002661.hdr.sgml : 20090514
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090513210159
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000930413-09-002661
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	FWP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090514
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090513

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:		FWP
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-138032
		FILM NUMBER:		09824145

	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

FILED BY:		

	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:		FWP

	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>FWP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c57619_fwp.htm
<TEXT>

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<P align="right">
<B><FONT face="serif">Issuer Free Writing Prospectus </FONT></B><BR>
<B><FONT face="serif">Filed pursuant to Rule 433 </FONT></B><BR>
<B><FONT face="serif">Registration No. 333-138032</FONT></B> </P>
<TABLE width="100%" border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
<TR valign="top">
	<TD colspan="2" align=center nowrap>
      <B><FONT face="serif">AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY</FONT></B>	</TD>
  </TR>
<TR valign="top">
	<TD colspan="2" align=center nowrap>
<B><FONT face="serif">&#36;1,250,000,000</FONT></B>	</TD>
  </TR>
<TR valign="top">
	<TD colspan="2" align=center nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<B><FONT face="serif">7.25% NOTES DUE MAY 20, 2014</FONT></B>	</TD>
  </TR>
<TR valign="top">
	<TD colspan=2>&nbsp;	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25" align=left valign="top" nowrap>
 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<B><FONT face="serif">Terms and Conditions</FONT></B>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25" align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Issuer:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">American Express Company</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25" align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Expected Ratings </FONT><SUP><FONT face="serif">(1) </FONT></SUP><FONT face="serif">:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">A3/BBB+/A+ (Negative/Negative/Negative)(Moody&#146;s/S&amp;P/Fitch)</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Ranking:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Senior unsecured</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Trade Date:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">May 13, 2009</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Settlement Date:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">May 18, 2009 (T+3 days)</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Maturity:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">May 20, 2014</FONT> </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Par Amount:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">&#36;1,250,000,000</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Benchmark Treasury:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">1.875% due April
	    30, 2014</FONT> </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">Benchmark
      Treasury Price and Yield:</FONT> </TD>
  <TD align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">99-15; 1.988%</FONT> </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Re-offer Spread to Benchmark:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">530 bps</FONT> </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Re-offer Yield:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">7.288%</FONT> </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Coupon:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">7.25%</FONT> </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Public Offering Price:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">99.842%</FONT> </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">Underwriters&#146; Commission:</FONT> </TD>
  <TD align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">0.35%</FONT> </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Net Proceeds to American Express:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">&#36;1,243,650,000 (before expenses)</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Interest Payment Dates:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">The 20th of each May and
November, beginning November 20, 2009</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Day Count:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">30 / 360</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="45"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Redemption:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top">
<FONT face="serif">The notes may not be redeemed prior to maturity unless certain events occur</FONT>	<FONT face="serif">involving
United States taxation</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Listing:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">The notes will not be listed on any exchange</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Minimum Denominations/Multiples:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Minimum denominations of &#36;2,000 and integral multiples of &#36;1,000 in excess</FONT>	<FONT face="serif">thereof</FONT> </TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">CUSIP:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">025816BA6</FONT> </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">ISIN:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">US025816BA65</FONT> </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Joint Book-Running Managers:</FONT>	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Banc of America Securities LLC</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=center valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width=70% align=left valign="top"><FONT face="serif">Citigroup Global Markets
    Inc.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">Goldman, Sachs &amp; Co.</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD width=30% height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;	</TD>
	<TD width=70% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT face="serif">UBS Securities LLC</FONT>	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap><FONT face="serif">Senior Co-Managers:</FONT></TD>
  <TD align=left valign="top" nowrap>Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD align=left valign="top" nowrap>Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD align=left valign="top" nowrap>Mizuho Securities USA Inc.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD align=left valign="top" nowrap>RBS Securities Inc.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>Junior Co-Managers:</TD>
  <TD align=left valign="top" nowrap>BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD align=left valign="top" nowrap>CastleOak Securities, L.P.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD height="25"  align=left valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD align=left valign="top" nowrap>The Williams Capital Group, L.P.</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<P align="left" style="page-break-before:always"></P><PAGE>
<TABLE width="100%" border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD align=center width=100% nowrap>
<B><FONT face="serif">AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY</FONT></B>
	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD align=center width=100%>
<B><FONT face="serif">&#36;1,250,000,000</FONT></B>
	</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
	<TD align=center width=100% style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<B><FONT face="serif">7.25% NOTES DUE MAY 20, 2014</FONT></B>	</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE><BR>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:10%">
<FONT size="2" face="serif">(1) An explanation of the significance of ratings may be obtained from the rating agencies. Generally, rating agencies base their ratings on such material and information, and such of their own investigations, studies and
assumptions, as they deem appropriate. The rating of the notes should be evaluated independently from similar ratings of other securities. A credit rating of a security is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to
review, revision, suspension, reduction or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. </FONT></P>
<P align="left">
<FONT face="serif">The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and
other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter
or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling Banc of America Securities LLC at 1-800-294-1322, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at 1-877-858-5407, Goldman, Sachs &amp; Co. at
1-866-471-2526, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. at 1-212-834-4533 (collect calls accepted) or UBS Securities LLC at 1-877-827-6444, extension 5613884. </FONT></P>

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