Who We Are

The company officially launched Amex Flex as the company’s new hybrid working model for colleagues.

Henry Wells, William G. Fargo, and John Butterfield merged their companies to form American Express. Our core business was express delivery of packages, valuables, and other goods. By 1862, we had 890 offices, more than 1,500 colleagues, and a network of nearly 10,000 miles of railway and express routes from the East Coast to Minnesota and Missouri.

Already at the center of an emerging national delivery network, we built a tailored business-to-business service, with our agents purchasing merchandise at competitive prices from suppliers on behalf of our customers.

To help adventurous and entrepreneurial customers traveling abroad feel more secure with their money, we introduced the Travelers Cheque in 1891.

American Express began offering customers travel services, selling tickets by rail and steamship, helping customers plan trips, and arranging for personally conducted tours. We expanded our travel office locations to Buenos Aires, Hong Kong and Manila, joining a network of existing offices throughout Europe and Canada.

Following the U.S. entry into World War I, the government consolidated and managed the formerly private railroad and express companies. American Express exited the express business while maintaining its travel and financial businesses.

The newly established American Express Foundation awarded its first grants to the March of Dimes, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America and the New York Public Library. For decades, the Company's commitment to service has extended beyond our businesses to support our communities.

Our customers were increasingly on the move and needed the security of Travelers Cheques with the added flexibility of credit. To support them, we introduced our first Charge Card in the U.S. and Canada.

After several years of marketing one Card to both consumers and businesses, we launched our Corporate Card program in the U.S. to meet commercial customer needs and give them a better understanding and control over their employees’ spending.

We began international card-issuing partnerships in South America and Europe. This accelerated in the 1990s, with partnerships that grew our business and brand visibility by connecting more people around the world.

Recognizing that small businesses have unique demands, we created the Small Business Partnership, an advisory council of leading small business representatives. We offered business owners tools to manage their operations and plan for growth.

Originally named Membership Miles^®, we launched Membership Rewards^® and redefined loyalty in the payments industry. We gave customers more innovative benefits and relevant partnerships than any other program. Today, it remains one of the most popular rewards programs.

The launch of the Hilton Optima Card was a seismic shift in the company’s thinking, demonstrating the power of partnership to help serve our mutual customers. Today, our cobrand partners span airlines, retail, and more. Together, we deliver rewards and experiences that create everyday value and convenience for our consumer and business customers.

In 1972, American Express began partnering with other financial institutions to grow its international card business by introducing independent card service programs in Venezuela and the former Yugoslavia. This strategy accelerates in the late 1990s, and we establish the Global Network Services (GNS) group in 1997, which uses Amex’s global infrastructure and brand to broaden the company’s reach worldwide.

American Express launched its mobile app for iPhone and Android, enabling Card Members to easily manage accounts, check balances, pay bills, and view Membership Rewards points. Today, customers continue to experience best-in-class and personalized servicing via the mobile app.

To support local communities and encourage Americans to shop at small, independently owned businesses, we introduced Small Business Saturday^®. By 2013, the Shop Small^® movement had spread to a number of other countries including Canada, Australia, and the UK.

American Express opened the first Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport. Today, the Centurion^® Network consists of 40+ locations worldwide including Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges - The Centurion^® Studio Partner.

We launched machine learning models to help detect fraud for American Express Cards when used anywhere in the world. These capabilities have helped us achieve the lowest fraud rates in the industry.

We created our American Express app in 2010 to give customers more ways to experience our service. Since then, we have developed many new digital tools including offers integrated into social platforms and new ways to apply Membership Rewards points to purchases through Pay with Points. Today, we continue to enhance our digital offerings to keep up with changing customer expectations.

We refreshed the Corporate Card program and introduced flexible tools and solutions designed to enhance the business travel experience.

American Express acquired LoungeBuddy and Resy, expanding digital access and experiences for Card Members across travel and dining.

American Express announced its action plan to advance its diversity, inclusion and equity priorities. The plan includes a series of internal and external initiatives, commitments and resources, supported by $1 billion in investments toward enhancing diverse representation and equal opportunities for its colleagues, customers and communities.

American Express acquired Kabbage, a leading financial technology provider of digital cash flow management solutions for U.S. small businesses.

American Express worked quickly to take action to back its colleagues, customers, and communities around the world - from enhanced servicing and policies, to evolved benefits and value, to financial assistance and support.

Designed for U.S. small and mid-sized businesses, the all-digital business checking account makes cash management easy, processes a range of payment types, and earns high-yield interest on balances up to $500,000.

The company officially launched Amex Flex as the company’s new hybrid working model for colleagues.