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): July 26, 2004
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                           AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                          --------------------------



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


       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

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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 July 26, 2004, American Express Company issued a press release
announcing its financial results for the second quarter of 2004. 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 2004 second quarter financial
results and a 2004 Second Quarter Earnings Supplement. Such additional
financial information and the 2004 Second 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 July 26, 2004, of American Express Company
       announcing its financial results for the second quarter of 2004.

99.2   Additional financial information relating to the financial results of
       American Express Company for the second quarter of 2004.

99.3   2004 Second Quarter 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)






                                               /s/ Stephen P. Norman
                                        Name:  Stephen P. Norman
                                        Title: Secretary

DATE:   July 26, 2004





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.    Description
-----------    -----------


99.1           Press Release, dated July 26, 2004, of American Express Company
               announcing its financial results for the second quarter of
               2004.

99.2           Additional financial information relating to the financial
               results of American Express Company for the second quarter of
               2004.

99.3           2004 Second Quarter Earnings Supplement of American Express
               Company.