EXHIBIT 12.1 AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION COMPUTATION IN SUPPORT OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Years Ended December 31, (Millions) 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings: Net income $ 260 $ 228 $ 277 $ 286 $ 223 Income tax provision 135 118 140 150 120 Interest expense 852 916 1,458 1,459 1,130 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total earnings (a) $1,247 $1,262 $1,875 $1,895 $1,473 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed charges - interest expense (b) $ 852 $ 916 $1,458 $1,459 $1,130 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a/b) 1.46 1.38 1.29 1.30 1.30 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------