American Express will showcase the up-to-5% cash rebate on Blue Cash(1) and other benefits through a complement of traditional and nontraditional marketing activities, including national and regional television ads, print, radio and interactive media as well as national promotions. A key component of the program is Sting Live at the Blue 5, a free, ticketed concert to be performed by recording artist Sting in Chicago's Grant Park on October 7. The concert follows the release of Sting's tenth solo album, Sacred Love, which will be in stores September 30, and is available on A&M Records.

American Express will offer a variety of ways for Sting fans to win tickets to this experience, including radio promotions, street teams and via the Web at www.StingAtTheBlue5.com beginning September 23. Further details regarding the concert will be announced separately.

"We are energized by this high-profile launch of the Blue Cash campaign. Many consumers have expressed a strong desire to earn cash back, and our goal is to give them that and so much more in a product that captures the rich mix of benefits, experiences and unparalleled customer service that American Express delivers," said Gordon Smith, president of the Consumer Card Services Group at American Express. "Cardmembers demand superior value from American Express, and we believe that Blue Cash offers an unmatched appeal in cash rewards."

The new Blue Cash advertising and marketing launch encompasses the following:

National Advertising Campaign -- The advertising campaign is designed to reach optimistic, value-conscious and financially savvy consumers. Four different 15- and 30-second national television spots are airing on cable and on local primetime, and will be followed by Blue Cash ads broadcast on national network primetime. The New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Miami, Washington, D.C., Dallas, Philadelphia and Houston markets will experience heavier advertising throughout the campaign.

In print, Blue Cash ads began appearing in widely read lifestyle and news publications in September. Out-of-home advertising, which includes large billboards and public telephone kiosks in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, launched in September.

Chicago Marketing Campaign -- In addition to the Sting concert, an eye-popping marketing and promotion drive for Blue Cash in Chicago will make it virtually impossible for residents to miss information about the product. Chicagoans will see commuter trains, buses and London-style taxis fully wrapped in Blue Cash creative, and regular taxis will be outfitted with interactive touchscreens that feature Blue Cash advertising. Blue Cash ads will dominate local train stations, appear on bus shelters and glow from backlit sidewalk display panels throughout the city. Spectacular-sized billboards will appear in strategic locations around town, as will backlit posters in local health clubs. Many other visual elements will capture attention around the market.

Sting National Radio Promotion -- Blue Cash has teamed with radio stations in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Dallas, Houston and Washington, D.C., to create flyaway promotions that include trips to Chicago and tickets to the Sting concert.

Online/Interactive Media -- American Express will promote Blue Cash with a high-impact media presence on the Internet, and engage audiences with a number of creative interactive elements. A dedicated Web site at www.StingAtTheBlue5.com will give fans an opportunity to win tickets to the live Sting show in Chicago. The site will include a "virtual scratch-off" game in which lucky contestants will win a pair of concert tickets.

In addition, advertising partnerships and rich media events with major portal partners, as well as interactive sponsorships of such popular TV programs as "CSI: Miami," will present Blue Cash to millions.

About Blue and Blue Cash
With Blue, and now Blue Cash, American Express is creating products for forward-thinking, optimistic, financially-savvy and young-minded individuals who are interested in great value, and in exploring the ways innovative tools can help simplify their lives. Blue Cash has no annual fee, allows extended payment over time, and offers a 0% introductory rate(2) on purchases for six months, as well as a variety of other valuable benefits and services. For more information about Blue Cash, visit www.americanexpress.com/getbluecash.

About American Express
American Express is a diversified worldwide travel, financial services and network services company founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking. For more information about Blue Cash and American Express Cards and services, click here.

(1)Annual cash reward for everyday purchases at stand-alone U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, drugstores and home improvement stores is up to 3%. Stand-alone locations do not include the departments of superstores or warehouse clubs where the standard rebate of up to 1.5% applies. Your annual cash reward for all other purchases is up to 1.5%. You will receive an additional rebate of up to 2% in months in which your account carries a balance. Your cash rewards are limited to $50,000 of annual eligible spending. Balance transfers do not earn a cash back reward.

(2)There is 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first six months. Then a variable APR on Purchases of either 8.99%, 10.99%, or 13.99% as of 08/30/03. The variable APR for Cash Advances is 18.99% as of 08/30/03. Default APR is up to 23.99%.