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.      )

 

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¨ Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

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¨ 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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*** Exercise Your Right to Vote ***

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on May 2, 2011.

 

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

       

 

Meeting Information            

 

   
           Meeting Type:     Annual Meeting    
        For holders as of:     March 4, 2011    
          

 

Date:  May 2, 2011

 

 

  Time: 9:00 AM EDT

   
          

 

Location:   Company’s Headquarters

   
          

 200 Vesey Street

   
       

 New York, NY 10285

 

   
            

LOGO

200 VESEY STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10285

   

 

You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the above named company.

   

 

This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online at www.proxyvote.com or easily request a paper copy (see reverse side).

   

 

We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

 

This notice also constitutes Notice of the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

     

 

See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions.

 

M31260-P07902


   

 

Before You Vote  

 

    
            
        

How to Access the Proxy Materials

 

      Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE:    
 

 

  ANNUAL REPORT        NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT

 

  How to View Online:

 

Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow LOGO (located on the following page) and visit: www.proxyvote.com.

 

How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy:

 

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 choose one of the following methods to make your request:

 

                                 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 information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow LOGO (located on the following page) in the subject line.

 

Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make the request as instructed above on or before April 18, 2011 to facilitate timely delivery.

 

   
   
   

 

How To Vote  

 

    
            
        

Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods

 

              
 

Vote In Person: All shareholders of record at March 4, 2011 (or holders in street name who have obtained a valid proxy) may vote in person at the meeting. Directions to the meeting are under Location of the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in the proxy statement.

 

Vote By Internet: To vote now by Internet, go to www.proxyvote.com. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow LOGO available and follow the instructions.

 

Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card.

 

        
    

M31261-P07902


Voting Items      
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following:     

The Board of Directors recommends you vote 1 YEAR on the following proposal:

    

 

1.      Election of Directors

  

 

4.       Advisory vote on frequency of advisory executive compensation vote.

  

         Nominees:

     

01)   D.F. AKERSON

       08)    R.C. LEVIN        

02)   C. BARSHEFSKY

       09)    R.A. MCGINN        

03)   U.M. BURNS

       10)    E.D. MILLER     

The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the following proposals:

  

04)   K.I. CHENAULT

       11)    S.S REINEMUND        

05)   P. CHERNIN

       12)    R.D. WALTER     

 

5.       Shareholder proposal relating to cumulative voting for directors.

  

06)   T.J. LEONSIS

       13)    R.A. WILLIAMS        

07)   J. LESCHLY

    

 

6.       Shareholder proposal relating to the calling of special shareholder meetings.

  
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals:        

2.       Ratification of appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2011.

    

The proxies are authorized to vote in their discretion upon any other matter that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

  

 

3.       Advisory vote on executive compensation.

       
    

Note: You cannot vote by returning this Notice. To vote the shares, you must vote online or request a paper copy of the proxy materials to receive a proxy card. You also may attend and vote at the meeting.

  

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M31263-P07902