EXHIBIT 12.1 AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION (a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.) COMPUTATION IN SUPPORT OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollars in millions) Nine Months Ended September 30, (Unaudited) Years Ended December 31, ----------------- ------------------------------------------ 2004 2003 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ----- ----- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Earnings: Net income $ 188 $ 189 $ 260 $ 228 $ 277 $ 286 $ 223 Income tax provision 91 99 135 118 140 150 120 Interest expense 619 639 852 916 1,458 1,459 1,130 ----- ----- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total earnings (a) $ 898 $ 927 $1,247 $1,262 $1,875 $1,895 $1,473 ===== ===== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Fixed charges - interest expense (b) $ 619 $ 639 $ 852 $ 916 $1,458 $1,459 $1,130 ===== ===== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a/b) 1.45 1.45 1.46 1.38 1.29 1.30 1.30 Note: Gross rentals on long-term leases were minimal in amount in each of the periods shown.