The recent 2007 J.D. Power and Associates Credit Card Study, in which American Express ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Credit Card Companies," indicated that benefits and services have an important impact on consumer satisfaction with their credit card. However, the American Express survey reveals more than half (51 percent) of U.S. adults whose credit card(s) have benefits do not think they are taking full advantage of those benefits and features. Survey respondents said they do have a desire to learn more about what is on their cards, specifically:

• Rewards Programs (48%)
• Identity Theft / Account Protections (40%)
• Buyer Protection Services (35%)
• Traveler Protection Services (29%)
• Insurances (e.g., car insurance) (21%)

"Our survey reveals that U.S. cardholders are not taking full advantage of or do not know the full extent of the benefits and features on their cards," said Larry Sharnak, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Cards at American Express. "American Express is committed to helping Cardmembers understand the valuable benefits and features of their Card, while at the same time providing them with the resources to make sound choices for their fiscal fitness."

American Express Consumer Resources
In an effort to educate its Cardmembers about the responsible uses of credit and making the most of the Card, American Express offers many educational tools and programs. Cardmembers can log-on to American Express' Consumer Resources website (americanexpress.com/consumerresources) for tips and brochures about selecting and using credit cards, including:

• "10 Tips for Making the Most of Your American Express® Card"
• "Credit Cards: What You Need to Know," created in partnership with Consumer Action
• "Families and Credit Cards," created in partnership with Consumer Action for parents who are weighing the merits of giving their children credit cards
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Information about tools available that Cardmembers may not be aware of, such as "Account Alerts," which can track spending, provide balance updates and alert Cardmembers when they are nearing a credit limit

Some of the benefits and features, available across all American Express Cards, at no extra cost that Cardmembers may not know they have include:

• Global Assist Hotline®: provides access to a variety of valuable benefits and service whenever traveling 100 miles or more away from home, including:

• Lost Passport Replacement Assistance
• Lost Luggage Assistance
• Emergency cash wire
• Translation services
• Prescription replacement assistance

• Purchase Protection Plan*: provides added protection for accidental damage to or theft of covered items including clothing, footwear, electronic equipment and miscellaneous accessories such as sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses, purchased with the Card for 90 days from the date of purchase.

In addition, American Express offers a broad and diverse set of consumer card products and services, including charge, credit, rewards and co-branded Cards. Recognizing that one card does not fit all, these award-winning Cards come with a variety of rewards, benefits and features that suit different financial and lifestyle needs. For example:

• The American Express Green Card® is a charge Card that is eligible for enrollment in the Membership Rewards® program through which Cardmembers can earn points redeemable for airlines, hotels, cruises and much more.
   
• The American Express One Card® offers a way to grow savings effortlessly with its Savings Accelerator that will contribute 1% of purchases directly into an interest-bearing, FDIC-insured High Yield Savings Account.
   
• Clear from American Express® provides simple rewards with no fees of any kind, including annual, late, over-limit, balance transfer or cash-advance fees.

For more information about American Express Cards and how the company is continuing to educate Cardmembers, visit americanexpress.com or americanexpress.com/consumerresources.

Survey Methodology
Harris Interactive® fielded the study from January 7-9, 2008 via its QuickQuery(SM) online omnibus service, interviewing a nationwide sample of 2,025 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older. Data were weighted using propensity score weighting to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity, and propensity to be online.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the U.S. adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to be invited to participate in the Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

About American Express
American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

*Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, Administrative Office, Green Bay, WI. Coverage is subject to the Terms, Conditions, and Exclusions of Policy AX0951. See Description of Coverage for full details.