EXHIBIT 32.1

                           CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                            18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                            AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                 SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of American Express Company
(the "Company") for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), Kenneth I.
Chenault, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Gary L. Crittenden as
Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that:

     (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
         of the Company.

/s/ Kenneth I. Chenault
- ------------------------
Name:  Kenneth I. Chenault
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Date:  August 14, 2003


/s/ Gary L. Crittenden
- -----------------------
Name:  Gary L. Crittenden
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date:  August 14, 2003


The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, and is not being "filed" as part of the Form 10-Q or as a separate
disclosure document for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to liability
under that section. This certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated
by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
the Exchange Act except to the extent that this Exhibit 32.1 is expressly and
specifically incorporated by reference in any such filing.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to
the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.