UNITED STATES
                       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): April 23, 2009


                            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)     (IRS 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


                                     None
              ---------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

         Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
----     (17 CFR 230.425)

         Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
----     (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

         Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
----     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

         Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
----     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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


ITEM 2.02 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION AND ITEM 7.01 REGULATION
FD DISCLOSURE.

     The following information is furnished under Item 2.02 - Results of
Operations and Financial Condition and Item 7.01 - Regulation FD Disclosure:

     On April 23, 2009, American Express Company issued a press release
announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2009. A copy of such
press release is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 and is hereby
incorporated herein by reference. In addition, in conjunction with the
announcement of its financial results, American Express Company distributed
additional financial information relating to its 2009 first quarter financial
results and a 2009 First Quarter Earnings Supplement. Such additional financial
information and the 2009 First Quarter Earnings Supplement are attached to this
report as Exhibits 99.2 and 99.3, respectively, and each is hereby incorporated
by reference.



EXHIBIT

99.1   Press Release, dated April 23, 2009, of American Express Company
       announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2009.

99.2   Additional financial information relating to the financial results of
       American Express Company for the first quarter of 2009.

99.3   2009 First Quarter Earnings Supplement of American Express
       Company.















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                                   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:   April 23, 2009















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                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
No.      Description
-----     -----------
99.1     Press Release, dated April 23, 2009, of American Express Company
         announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2009.

99.2     Additional financial information relating to the financial results of
         American Express Company for the first quarter of 2009.

99.3     2009 First Quarter Earnings Supplement of American Express
         Company.














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