UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                            Schedule 14A Information
                    Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                (Amendment No. )

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[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
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     by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[X]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12


                            American Express Company
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                  (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)


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The  following  information  may be used to  communicate  with  shareholders  in
connection with American Express Company's 2004 Annual Meeting.


Re:  2004 AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY PROXY STATEMENT; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

o    American Express Company is seeking shareholder support for the election to
     one-year  terms of each of the 12  nominees  listed in its  March 10,  2004
     Proxy Statement.

o    The Company's  Compensation  Committee continued to grant reduced levels of
     stock options for the second year in a row.

o    In January 2004 the total shares  awarded for stock options and  restricted
     stock to all  employees  was 1.1% of  outstanding  shares,  the same  level
     granted in January 2003,  bringing the Company's  three-year  average grant
     rate to below 2%.

o    The Company  continues to lower its stock option  overhang.  While  current
     overhang exceeds 15%, the Company will seek no authorization for additional
     shares until the overhang is reduced to below that level.

o    In addition,  the total  compensation paid to the Company's CEO in 2003 was
     well below the prior year even though the total return to American  Express
     shareholders rose 38% in 2003.

o    Following  the filing and  distribution  of the Company's  2004  definitive
     proxy materials, Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. informed the Company of his decision
     to not stand for  reelection as a director of one of the seven U.S.  public
     companies on whose Board he presently  serves,  which will reduce his total
     public company directorships to six in 2004.

o    The Company believes that Compensation  Committee  members Leschly,  Dolan,
     McGinn,  Miller and Popoff,  as well as Mr. Jordan,  deserve the support of
     shareholders for election as Directors for an additional one-year term.