AMERICAN EXPRESS ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO FILE PRIVATE LITIGATION AGAINST VISA AND MASTERCARD

NEWS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT 11:00 AM EST TODAY

NEW YORK, November 15, 2004 -- American Express will announce plans for private litigation against Visa and MasterCard today at a news conference. David Boies, founding partner of Boies, Schiller & Flexner, and one of the nation's top litigators, will serve as American Express' lead outside counsel in the matter, and will speak at the press briefing. Background materials are available here, and a press release will be posted shortly.

WHEN: 11:00 am EST, November 15, 2004

Teleconference:

Journalists Only – via teleconference:
Domestic: (877) 536-5383
International: (706) 679-5704
Conference ID #: 2020089

Investment Community Only - via teleconference:
Domestic: (800) 374-0511
International: (706) 634-1480
Listen Only; Conference ID #: 2020089

(Replay available 2 hours after call, for 24 hours, at Domestic (800) 642-1687, International (706) 645-9291.)

Web
Live audio and replay via web available at: http://ir.americanexpress.com.
(at Event Details, click on Lawyer Press Briefing)

Satellite Video Feed Available
Waterfront loop # 1634
AXP studio control room # (212) 640-4830
Waterfront phone (212) 599-1391

Contacts:
Judy Tenzer
212.640.0555
Judy.G.Tenzer@aexp.com

Nina Chang
212.640.6193
Nina.Y.Chang@aexp.com