SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
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                                   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): January 26, 2004
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                           AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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


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


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

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



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ITEM 9.   REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE; AND ITEM 12. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
             FINANCIAL CONDITION.

     The following information is furnished under Item 9 - Regulation FD
Disclosure and Item 12 - Results of Operations and Financial Condition:

     On January 26, 2004, American Express Company issued a press release
announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2003.
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 2003 fourth quarter and full
year financial results and a 2003 Fourth Quarter/Full Year Earnings
Supplement. Such additional financial information and the 2003 Fourth
Quarter/Full Year 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 January 26, 2004, of American Express Company
       announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and full
       year of 2003.

99.2   Additional financial information relating to the financial results of
       American Express Company for the fourth quarter and full year of 2003.

99.3   2003 Fourth Quarter/Full Year Earnings Supplement of American Express
       Company.



                                   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:   January 26, 2004


                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.                      Description
-----------                      -----------
99.1   Press Release, dated January 26, 2004, of American Express Company
       announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year
       of 2003.

99.2   Additional financial information relating to the financial results of
       American Express Company for the fourth quarter and full year of 2003.

99.3   2003 Fourth Quarter/Full Year Earnings Supplement of American Express
       Company.