EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 33-53801, No. 333-52699, No. 333-98479 and No. 333-142710), Form S-3 (No. 2-89469, No. 333-32525 and No. 333-185242), and Form S-4 (No. 333-185969) of American Express Company of our report dated February 22, 2013, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in the 2012 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

February 22, 2013