Obligation American Express 5.5% ( US025816AW94 ) en USD

Société émettrice American Express
Prix sur le marché 100 %  ▲ 
Pays  Etas-Unis
Code ISIN  US025816AW94 ( en USD )
Coupon 5.5% par an ( paiement semestriel )
Echéance 12/09/2016 - Obligation échue



Prospectus brochure de l'obligation American Express US025816AW94 en USD 5.5%, échue


Montant Minimal 2 000 USD
Montant de l'émission 600 000 000 USD
Cusip 025816AW9
Notation Standard & Poor's ( S&P ) BBB+ ( Qualité moyenne inférieure )
Notation Moody's A3 ( Qualité moyenne supérieure )
Description détaillée L'Obligation émise par American Express ( Etas-Unis ) , en USD, avec le code ISIN US025816AW94, paye un coupon de 5.5% par an.
Le paiement des coupons est semestriel et la maturité de l'Obligation est le 12/09/2016

L'Obligation émise par American Express ( Etas-Unis ) , en USD, avec le code ISIN US025816AW94, a été notée A3 ( Qualité moyenne supérieure ) par l'agence de notation Moody's.

L'Obligation émise par American Express ( Etas-Unis ) , en USD, avec le code ISIN US025816AW94, a été notée BBB+ ( Qualité moyenne inférieure ) par l'agence de notation Standard & Poor's ( S&P ).







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424B5 1 a42693.htm AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-117835
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus Dated August 19, 2004)
$1,000,000,000
American Express Company
$400,000,000 5.250% Notes due September 12, 2011
$600,000,000 5.500% Notes due September 12, 2016
We will pay interest on the 5.250% notes due September 12, 2011, or the 2011 notes, and the
5.500% notes due September 12, 2016, or the 2016 notes, which we refer to collectively in this
prospectus supplement as the notes, semi-annually on March 12 and September 12 of each year. The
first interest payment will be made on March 12, 2007. The 2011 notes will mature on September 12,
2011 and the 2016 notes will mature on September 12, 2016.
We may not redeem the notes of either series prior to maturity unless certain events occur involving
United States taxation. We describe these events under the heading "Description of Notes--Redemption
Upon a Tax Event" on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement. The notes of each series will be our
senior unsecured obligations and will rank prior to all of our present and future subordinated
indebtedness and on an equal basis with all of our other present and future senior unsecured
indebtedness.
We will not list the notes on any exchange.
We will only issue the notes in book-entry form registered in the name of a nominee of The
Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or DTC. Beneficial interests in the notes will be
shown on, and transfers of such interests will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its
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participants, including Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, and the Euroclear System. Except as
described in this prospectus supplement, we will not issue notes in definitive form.
The underwriters are offering the notes for sale in those jurisdictions both inside and outside the
United States where it is lawful to make such offers.
Underwriting
Price to
Discounts and
Proceeds to




Public(1)
Commissions
the Company(1)
Per 2011 note

99.727%
0.300%
99.427%
Total for 2011 notes
$
398,908,000 $
1,200,000 $
397,708,000
Per 2016 note

99.491%
0.400%
99.091%
Total for 2016 notes
$
596,946,000 $
2,400,000 $
594,546,000







(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from September 12, 2006.
Delivery of the notes will be made on or about September 12, 2006.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, nor any state securities commission
has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
Credit Suisse

Banc of America Securities LLC





BNP




PARIBAS
Mitsubishi

UFJ



Securities
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RBS


Greenwich

Capital
Wachovia




Securities
The
Williams




Capital
Group, L.
P.
The date of this prospectus supplement is September 8, 2006.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page





Prospectus Supplement
About This Prospectus Supplement

S-2
Summary

S-3
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

S-6
Recent Developments

S-7
Use of Proceeds

S-7
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

S-7
Capitalization

S-9
Selected Consolidated Financial Information
S-10
Description of Notes
S-11
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
S-17
Underwriting
S-20
Notice to Canadian Residents
S-25
Where You Can Find More Information
S-26
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
S-26
Legal Matters
S-27
Experts
S-27



Prospectus
About This Prospectus

2
Where You Can Find More Information

2
American Express Company

3
Use of Proceeds

3
Description of Debt Securities

4
Description of Preferred Shares

11
Description of Depositary Shares

13
Description of Common Shares

15
Description of Securities Warrants

16
Description of Currency Warrants

17
Description of Other Warrants

18
Plan of Distribution

19
Legal Matters

21
Experts

21
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the
specific terms of the notes of each series that we are offering and other matters relating to us and our
financial condition. The second part is the attached base prospectus, which gives more general
information about securities we may offer from time to time, some of which does not apply to the notes
of each series that we are offering. The description of the terms of the notes of each series contained in
this prospectus supplement supplements the description under "Description of Debt Securities" in the
accompanying prospectus, and to the extent it is inconsistent with that description, the information in
this prospectus supplement replaces the information in the accompanying prospectus. Generally, when
we refer to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. If information in
the prospectus supplement differs from information in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on
the information in this prospectus supplement.
When we use the terms "American Express," the "Company," "we," "us" or "our" in this prospectus
supplement, we mean American Express Company and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, unless
we state or the context implies otherwise.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any written
communication from us or the underwriters specifying the final terms of this offering. We have
not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. This prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only be used where it is legal to sell these
securities. The information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may
only be accurate as of their respective dates and the information in the incorporated documents is
only accurate as of their respective dates.
To the extent the offer of the notes is made in any Member State of the European Economic Area
that has implemented the European Council Directive 2003/71/EC (such Directive, together with any
applicable implementing measures in the relevant home Member State under such Directive, the
"Prospectus Directive") before the date of publication of a prospectus in relation to the notes which has
been approved by the competent authority in that Member State in accordance with the Prospective
Directive (or, where appropriate, published in accordance with the Prospectus Directive and notified to
the competent authority in that Member State in accordance with the Prospectus Directive), the offer
(including any offer pursuant to this document) is only addressed to qualified investors in that Member
State within the meaning of the Prospectus Directive or has been or will be made otherwise in
circumstances that do not require us to publish a prospectus pursuant to the Prospectus Directive.
This document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) persons who are outside the
United Kingdom; or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services
and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"); or (iii) high net worth entities,
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and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the
Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The notes are only available to,
and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such notes will be
engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely
on this document or any of its contents.
The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of
the notes in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus come should inform themselves about and observe any
such restrictions. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute, and
may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such
offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not
qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
In connection with the issue of the notes, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, or the stabilizing
manager (or persons acting on behalf of the stabilizing manager), may over-allot notes or effect
transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the notes at a level higher than that which
might otherwise prevail. However, there is no assurance that the stabilizing manager (or persons acting
on behalf of the stabilizing manager) will undertake stabilization action. Such stabilizing, if commenced,
may be discontinued at any time, and must be brought to an end after a limited period.
S-2
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SUMMARY
The following summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus
supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus and does not contain all the information you will need in making your
investment decision. You should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying
prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus.
The Company
We, together with our subsidiaries, are a leading global payments, network and travel company that
offers its products and services throughout the world. Our principal operating subsidiary is American
Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Through our Global Network Services and Merchant Services business, we operate a global general-
purpose charge and credit Card network, the functions of which include operations, service delivery,
systems, authorization, clearing, settlement and brand advertising and marketing; the development of
new and innovative products for the network; and establishing and enhancing relationships with
merchants globally.
The global merchant services business also includes entering into agreements with merchants to
accept Cards (merchant acquisition) and accepting and processing Card transactions and paying
merchants that accept Cards for purchases made by Cardmembers with Cards (transaction processing).
We also provide point-of-sale and back-office products and services and marketing programs to
merchants.
Our U.S. Card Services business includes the U.S. proprietary consumer Card business, OPEN from
American Express, the global Travelers Cheques and Prepaid Services business and the American
Express U.S. Consumer Travel Network. The U.S. proprietary consumer Card business and OPEN from
American Express issue a wide range of Card products and services to consumers and small businesses
in the United States, including a variety of credit Cards that have a range of different payment terms,
grace periods and rate and fee structures. The American Express U.S. Travel Network provides travel
services to Cardmembers and other consumers, which complements the travelers check and prepaid
services businesses.
Through our International Card & Global Commercial Services business we provide proprietary
consumer Cards and small business Cards outside the United States. International Card & Global
Commercial Services also offers global corporate products and services, including Corporate Cards,
issued to individuals through corporate accounts established by employers, Business Travel, which helps
businesses manage their travel expenses through a variety of travel-related products and services, and
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Corporate Purchasing Solutions, involving accounts established by companies to pay everyday business
expenses.
International Card & Global Commercial Services also includes our subsidiary, American Express
Bank, Ltd., which serves affluent and high-net worth individuals and financial institutions through over
70 locations in 45 countries and regions worldwide.
Our executive offices are located at 200 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10285 (telephone
number: 212-640-2000).
S-3
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The Offering
Issuer
American Express Company.


Offered Securities
$400,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 5.250% notes due
September 12, 2011.
$600,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 5.500% notes due
September 12, 2016.


Maturity Date
The 2011 notes will mature on September 12, 2011.
The 2016 notes will mature on September 12, 2016.


Interest Payment Dates
March 12 and September 12 of each year, beginning March 12, 2007.


Redemption
We may not redeem the notes of either series prior to maturity unless
certain events occur involving United States taxation. See "Description of
Notes--Redemption Upon a Tax Event."


Markets
The notes are offered for sale in those jurisdictions both inside and outside
the United States where it is lawful to make such offers. See
"Underwriting."
Each series of notes is a new issue of securities with no established trading
market. We have been advised by the underwriters that they presently
intend to make a market for the notes of each series, as permitted by

applicable laws and regulations. The underwriters are not obligated,
however, to make a market for the notes of either series and may
discontinue any market-making at any time at their sole discretion.


Minimum Denomination; We will issue the notes of each series, in minimum denominations of
Form and Settlement
$2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, in the form of
one or more fully registered global certificates, or the global notes, which
we will deposit on or about September 12, 2006 with, or on behalf of,
DTC and register in the name of DTC's nominee, Cede & Co., for the
accounts of the participants in DTC, including Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.,
as operator of the Euroclear System, or Euroclear, and Clearstream
Banking, société anonyme, or Clearstream.


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Document Outline