Definitive Additional Materials

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.      )

 

Filed by the Registrant x

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¨ Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

¨ Definitive Proxy Statement

 

x Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨ Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12

 

 

American Express Company

 

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

 

 

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

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

for the Shareholder Meeting to be Held on April 27, 2009

   

You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the above company, and the materials you should review before you cast your vote are now available.

 

This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet or by mail. We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

    The American Express Company Proxy Statement and 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at www.proxyvote.com. If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy as instructed below on or before April 13, 2009 to facilitate timely delivery.
LOGO    This Notice also constitutes Notice of the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
  
  

 

HOW TO VIEW MATERIALS VIA THE INTERNET    

Have the 12 Digit Control Number available and visit: www.proxyvote.com

 

  

LOGO

   

 

HOW TO REQUEST A COPY OF MATERIALS            

1) BY INTERNET         -     www.proxyvote.com

2) BY TELEPHONE     -     1-800-579-1639

3) BY E-MAIL*             -     sendmaterial@proxyvote.com

 

*If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the 12 Digit Control Number (located on the following page) in the subject line.

 

  

See the Reverse Side for Meeting Information and Instructions on How to Vote

    Meeting Information               

How To Vote

     
    Meeting Type:      Annual              LOGO    Vote In Person     
   

Meeting Date:

Meeting Time:

For holders as of:

     

04/27/09

10:00 A.M., Eastern Time

02/27/09

                 All shareholders of record (or holders in street name who have obtained a valid proxy) may vote in person at the Meeting.     
   

Matters to be

voted on:

    

See Voting Items in this Notice

                     
    Meeting Location:                     
    American Express Service Center         LOGO    Vote By Internet     
    7701 Airport Center Drive           

To vote now by Internet, go to

WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM. Use the Internet

to transmit your voting instructions and

for electronic delivery of information until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on April 22, 2009 (for shareholders in employee benefit plans), or on April 26, 2009 (for all other shareholders). Have this Notice in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions.

 

     
    Greensboro, North Carolina 27409                     
    Meeting Directions:                     
   

Directions to attend the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and vote in person can be found on the last page of the American Express Company Proxy Statement.

 

                  

LOGO

    Voting Items   

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed below, FOR Items 2 and 3, and AGAINST

Items 4 and 5. If no voting instructions are given, the proxy will be voted as the Board of Directors recommends.

     

 

1. To elect Directors

Nominees:

 

1a) D.F. AKERSON

  

1h) R.A. MCGINN

1b) C. BARSHEFSKY

  

1i) E.D. MILLER

1c) U.M. BURNS

  

1j) S.S REINEMUND

1d) K.I. CHENAULT

  

1k) R.D. WALTER

1e) P. CHERNIN

  

1l) R.A. WILLIAMS

1f) J. LESCHLY

  

1g) R.C. LEVIN

  

2.        Ratification of appointment of

           PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as

           our independent registered  public

           accounting firm for 2009.

 

3.        Advisory (non-binding) vote approving

           executive compensation.

 

4.        Shareholder proposal relating to

           cumulative voting for Directors.

 

5.        Shareholder proposal relating to the

           calling of special shareholder meetings.

LOGO

 

 

LOGO