Exhibit 15


August 14, 1996



The Shareholders and Board of Directors
American Express Company

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the
Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 2-46918, No. 2-59230, No.
2-64285, No. 2-73954, No. 2-89680, No. 33-01771, No. 33-02980, No. 33-28721, 
No. 33-33552, No. 33-36422, No. 33-38777, No. 33-48629, No. 33-62124, 
No. 33-65008 and No. 33-53801; Form S-3 No. 2-89469, No. 33-17706, 
No. 33-43268, No. 33-66654 and No. 33-50997) of American Express Company of 
our report dated August 12, 1996 relating to the unaudited consolidated 
interim financial statements of American Express Company which are included 
in its Form 10-Q for the three-month and six-month periods ended 
June 30, 1996.

Pursuant to Rule 436(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, our report
is not a part of the registration statement prepared or certified
by accountants within the meaning of Section 7 or 11 of the
Securities Act of 1933.




                                  /s/Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York