Last Updated: Feb 27, 2023

American Express Statistics: American Express is one of the most esteemed credit card firms in the world. The company has been able to create a name for itself and establish its own premium brand among consumers and its rivals as well. American Express is a financial services firm that offers charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services across the globe. The company provides services related to business travel as well via its non-amalgamated joint venture known as American Express Global Business Travel. Here we will discuss some major American Express statistics that will insights into its prevalence in the current digital payment landscape.

Key American Express Statistics

  • American Express secured the 83rd rank in the list of Fortune 500 companies in 2021.
  • American Express has around 121.7 million cards in circulation across the globe. While there were about 112 million American Express cards in circulation in 2020.
  • There are around 56.4 million American Express cards in the distribution in the US. American Express stats for 2021 show that nearly 65.3 million out of the total 121.7 million active American Express cards are from outside the US.
  • As per American Express statistics for 2020, around 64000 people were employed by the company.
  • Nearly 50.3 million out of the total 121.7 million active American Express cards across the world were issued via the company’s association program with third parties by the end of 2021.
  • As per American Express statistics, in 2021, an average American Express card user spent around $20,392 using their AmEx card, it saw an increase in 2021 as compared to $16352 in 2020.
  • In the US, an average American Express card user charged $22477 to their American Express card in 2021, it witnessed a boost in 2021 as compared to $18085 in the financial year 2020.
  • As per the data, American Express cardholders invested nearly $1.0898 trillion on their AmEx cards in 2021.
  • In 2020, American Express card users around the world invested nearly $139.9 billion via their AmEx cards issued by third-party allies.
  • The costs and expenses of American Express reached $33.11 billion in 2021, which was slightly up from $27.061 billion in 2020.
  • In 2021, American Express invested nearly $11.007 billion in card member rewards, it witnessed a significant increase from $8.041 billion spent on card member rewards in 2020.
  • As per American Express statistics, the company reported a profit of $8 billion in 2021.
  • In 2020, the total payment volume of American Express reached $1 trillion which was lower than Visa’s payment volume worth $8.911 trillion and MasterCard’s payment volume worth $4.77 trillion.
  • In 2020, American express processed around 9 billion transactions that were less than Visa’s 205 billion transactions and MasterCard’s 126 billion transactions.
  • The revenue of American Express for the fiscal year 2021 reached $43.663 billion, which was immensely greater than the revenue of Visa worth $25.477 billion, and the revenue of MasterCard worth $18.884 billion in the same year.
  • The AmEx Black Card is officially known as the American Express Centurion Card.
  • The AmEx Black Card offers cardholders access to VIP airport arrival services at around 32 airports across the globe.
  • American Express Black Card holders need to pay an annual fee of $5,000.
  • People can avail of the American Express Black Card only via invitation and a $10,000 opening fee.
  • The American Express Black Card offers cardholders access to multiple benefits and rewards like access to airport lounges, round-the-clock concierge services, credit usable at high-end stores and elite status at hotels, and Equinox gym membership.
  • As per American Express statistics for 2021, the company earned nearly $10.22 per share 2021.
  • Around 52.9% of American Express staff are female. The company has made sensible efforts to grow the role of women in their workplace.
  • As per the data, around 40% of executives in vice president posts and other higher positions are women.
  • American Express secured third rank in the domestic market share by payments volume with around 19.6% of the share in 2021 in the United States.
  • American Express secured the fourth rank in the domestic market share by the count of cards in circulation.

General American Express Statistics and Trends

#1. In 2021, American Express secured third rank in the domestic market share in the US by payments volume with around 19.6% of the share

As per American Express statistics, although the credit market in the US is dominated by Visa and MasterCard, American Express has a solid presence in the United States.

Top Credit Card Networks By Percent of Purchase Volume
(Source: upgradedpoints.com)

#2. Around 52.9% of American Express staff are female

The company has made sensible efforts to grow the role of women in their workplace. As per the data, around 40% of executives in vice president posts and other higher positions are women. Asian, African American, and Hispanic people account for 19.5%, 13.3%, and 13.8% of the company’s staff demographics respectively. American Express is committed to achieving a fair depiction of all communities in its workforce.

#3. American Express secured the 83rd rank in the list of Fortune 500 companies in 2021

In 2021, the company witnessed a slight drop from its 67th ranking in the list of Fortune 500 companies in 2020. Nevertheless, American Express still has a reputable place among esteemed businesses.

#4. American Express has around 121.7 million cards in circulation across the globe

While there were about 112 million American Express cards in circulation in 2020.

(Source: wallstreetzen.com)

#5. American Express secured the fourth rank in the domestic market share by the count of cards in circulation

These stats indicate that though American Express might have a higher payments volume market share as compared to Discover Financial Services, there are fewer American Express cards in distribution. This suggests that American Express cardholders make payments of larger amounts.

#6. There are around 56.4 million American Express cards in the distribution in the US

American Express stats for 2021 show that nearly 65.3 million out of the total 121.7 million active American Express cards are from outside the US. Nearly 50.3 million out of the total 121.7 million active American Express cards across the world were issued via the company’s association program with third parties by the end of 2021.

#7. As per American Express statistics for 2020, around 64000 people were employed by the company

The company employed around 64,000 people were employed by the end of 2021. Nearly 22000 of American Express’s total 64,000 employees were located in the United States.

#8. As per American Express statistics, in 2021, an average American Express card user spent around $20,392 using their AmEx card

It showed an increase in 2021 as compared to $16352 in 2020. In the US, an average American Express card user charged $22477 to their American Express card in 2021 It witnessed a boost in 2021 as compared to $18085 in the financial year 2020.

#9. As per the data, American Express cardholders invested nearly $1.0898 trillion on their AmEx cards in 2021

it showed a slight increase as compared to $1.01 trillion in 2020. American Express card users in the United States invested around $693.1 billion on their AmEx cards in 2020.

#10. In 2020, American Express card users around the world invested nearly $139.9 billion via their AmEx cards issued by third-party allies

As per American Express statistics, around $870.70B was generated via the company’s Proprietorship in the same year.

#11. The costs and expenses of American Express reached $33.11 billion in 2021

American Express stats reveal that it was slightly up from the company’s costs and expenses reported in 2020 which was around $27.061 billion.

#12. In 2021, American Express invested nearly $11.007 billion in card member rewards

it witnessing a significant increase from $8.041 billion spent on card member rewards in 2020.

(Source: wallstreetzen.com)

#13. As per American Express statistics, the company reported a profit of $8 billion in 2021

The financial year 2021 is considered to be a successful year for American Express. In 2021, the company’s profits were a substantial part of its revenue.

#14. In 2020, the total payment volume of American Express reached $1 trillion

It was lower than Visa’s payment volume worth $8.911 trillion and MasterCard’s payment volume worth $4.77 trillion.

#15. In 2020, American expressed processed around 9 billion transactions

It was lesser than Visa’s 205 billion transactions and MasterCard’s 126 billion transactions.

(Source: wallstreetzen.com)

#16. The revenue of American Express for the fiscal year 2021 reached $43.663 billion

It was quite greater than the revenue of Visa worth $25.477 billion and the revenue of MasterCard worth $18.884 billion in the same year.

#17. The AmEx Black Card offers cardholders access to VIP airport arrival services at around 32 airports across the globe

The AmEx Black Card is officially known as the American Express Centurion Card. American Express Black Card holders need to pay an annual fee of $5,000. People can avail American Express Black Card only via invitation and a $10,000 opening fee. The American Express Black Card offers cardholders access to multiple benefits and rewards like access to airport lounges, round-the-clock concierge services, credit usable at high-end stores and elite status at hotels, and Equinox gym membership.

#18. As per American Express statistics for 2021, the company earned nearly $10.22 per share in 2021

There was a major jump from the per-share earnings of the previous year. The company earned only around $3.77 per share in 2020. Therefore, it shows that the company reported significant growth in the fiscal year 2021.

#19. In 2021, nearly $879 billion in transactions on American Express credit cards were processed in the US

An added $387.2 billion in credit card transactions were processed outside the US, which brought the total yearly transactions to $1.28 trillion.

#20. Nearly 71.4 million American Express proprietary cards are in circulation

It shows that proprietary cards account for around 58.7% of the total American Express cards. The company included around 10 million cards in 2021.

#21. The revenue of American Express shot up by 17.43% between 2020 and 2021

Experts believe that the increase in the company’s revenue has occurred due to elevated expenditure by customers after the economy recuperated from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Facts and Its Major Acquisitions

#22. American Express was established in 1850 after an alliance of three express firms

Three firms, Wells & Company which was owned by Henry Wells, Livingston, Fargo & Company, which was headed by William G. Fargo, and Wells, Butterfield & Company merged to form American Express.

#23. In 1983, American Express launched a campaign for the reinstatement of the Statue of Liberty

Under this initiative, it offered one cent to the cause each time one of AmEx’s cards was utilized by customers. The campaign led to a 28% boost in usage, and a 45% surge in card applications and generated around $1.7 million for the project.
#24. In 1983, American Express took over financial services firm Investors known as Diversified Services (IDS) for $773 million.

#25. The company took over a payment systems firm known as Harbor Payments in 2006.

#26. In 2008, American Express took over commercial credit cards and a corporate procuring firm known as Corporate Payment Services from General Electric for $1.1 billion.

#27. In 2010, the company bought a German marketing company called Loyalty Partner for €496 million.

#28. In 2010, American Express took over an antifraud software firm known as Accertify for $150 million.

#29. In 2017, American Express purchased a British fintech startup known as Cake Technologies for $13.3 million.

#30. In 2019, the company took over a Japan-based restaurant reservation booking service called Pocket Concierge.

#31. In 2019, AmEx took over the digital payments automation platform known as Acompay.

#32. In that year, AmEx bought a reservations and a customer relationship management (CRM) firm known as Resy.

#33. In 2020, American Express took over a small trade lender called Kabbage.

Conclusion

American Express is considered to be one of the largest credit card firms in the US. It is one of the most crucial businesses in the country as credit is a huge factor in the growth of the economy. The company has secured the 83rd rank in the list of Fortune 500 companies in 2021. Looking at the modern business landscape, the majority of consumers and traders buy on credit, particularly for large purchases.

American Express saw a significant boost in its revenue in 2021. It is a firm that promotes fairness and equitable opportunity in its workplace which makes it even more special. These American Express statistics project bigger growths for the company in the future. As long as American Express continues to move forward on this path, it will soon become a key player in the credit card market and the economy as well.

Sources:

1. Macrotrends
2. Zippia
3. Wallstreetzen
4. DMR
5. Statista
6. BuiltWith


ABOUT AUTHOR

Barry is a lover of everything technology and finance (FinTech). Figuring out how the software works and creating content to shed more light on the value it offers users is his favorite pastime. When not evaluating apps or programs, he's busy trying out new healthy recipes, doing yoga, meditating, or taking nature walks with his little one.