A Sixteen-and-a-Half-Billion-Dollar PromiseNarrow moat

American Express (AXP) — moat facet

American Express owes its cardholders $16.5 billion of points, and every new way to redeem them makes that promise more certain to be collected.

Every Membership Rewards point American Express hands out is a debt, and the debt is large. The company records a liability for "the cost of points earned that are expected to be redeemed by Card Members in the future"1, and at the end of 2025 that liability was $16.5 billion2. For scale, that is about half of shareholders' equity of $33,474 million34.

Added rewards expense from a change in assumptions ($M)229URR +25bp916URR +1 point244Cost per point +1bpAmerican Express Form 10-K FY2025; +1 point calculated as four times the 25bp sensitivity
Small changes in two estimates move hundreds of millions of expense.

The liability rests on two estimates. The first is how many points will ever be redeemed, the ultimate redemption rate, which Amex put at 96% "(rounded down) at both December 31, 2025 and 2024"5. The second is what each point costs when it is redeemed, the weighted average cost per point, derived from twelve months of redemptions6.

The sensitivities are disclosed, and they are not small. An increase of 25 basis points in the redemption rate would add about $229 million to the liability and to rewards expense; an increase of one basis point in the cost per point would add about $244 million7. Both would land in a single year's earnings.

The programme is the heart of the consumer franchise. Points keep spending on the card, and a cardholder with a large balance of points has a reason not to cancel. That is the moat working: rewards earned but not yet spent are a switching cost the cardholder carries around.

But Amex keeps making points easier to use. In the second quarter of 2026 it enabled redemption for U.S. Card Members checking out with Apple Pay8. Every new way to redeem pushes the redemption rate toward 100% and turns a promise that some cardholders would forget into one nearly all will collect.

The estimates can also move in the company's favour. According to a third-party summary of the second-quarter 2026 call, lower ultimate redemption assumptions produced a small Membership Rewards benefit in the quarter9. That is the other side of the same sensitivity: a change of a quarter of a point in the redemption estimate moves expense by about $229 million in either direction10.

The redemption rate is the number to follow. It was 96% at the end of both 2024 and 202511; a reported figure of 97% would add roughly $900 million of expense on the disclosed sensitivity12, and would mean the programme's breakage, the points never redeemed, had shrunk to almost nothing.

Moat trajectory: Narrowing

Liability $16.5bn at end-2025; URR 96%; points now redeemable at checkout with Apple Pay.

The number that tests this moat
Reported
Membership Rewards ultimate redemption rate
96% (rounded down, end-2025 and end-2024)

The share of points expected to be redeemed; each 25bp rise adds about $229M of expense.

Source: American Express Form 10-K, FY2025 ↗
⚠ Threats to the moat
⚠ THREAT 01
Easier Redemption Costs More
Amex is making its points easier to spend, and every point spent is a point its accounts had hoped someone would forget.
References
  1. ReportedThe company records a liability for "the cost of points earned that are expected to be redeemed by Card Members in the future", and at the end of 2025 that liability was $16.5 billion.
    American Express Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Card Member rewards, Membership Rewards liability, business development and Card Member services. — FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  2. ReportedThe company records a liability for "the cost of points earned that are expected to be redeemed by Card Members in the future", and at the end of 2025 that liability was $16.5 billion.
    American Express Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Card Member rewards, Membership Rewards liability, business development and Card Member services. — FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  3. ReportedFor scale, that is about half of shareholders' equity of $33,474 million.
    American Express fourth-quarter 2025 statistical supplement, Form 8-K exhibit 99.2 - card metrics, billed business by segment, balance sheet and the definition of variable customer engagement costs. — Q4 2025 · publ. 30 January 2026 · source ↗
  4. Moat Explorer calcFor scale, that is about half of shareholders' equity of $33,474 million.
    Moat Explorer calculation from American Express's reported figures ($ millions unless stated). Incentives (variable customer engagement costs = Card Member rewards + business development + Card Member services): 2021 11,007 + 3,762 + 1,993 = 16,762; 2022 14,002 + 4,943 + 2,959 = 21,904; 2023 15,367 + 5,657 + 3,968 = 24,992; 2024 16,599 + 5,886 + 4,782 = 27,267; 2025 18,409 + 6,457 + 6,057 = 30,923; Q2 2026 5,051 + 1,755 + 1,949 = 8,755; Q2 2025 7,508. As a share of discount revenue: 16,762 / 24,563 = 68.2%; 21,904 / 30,739 = 71.3%; 24,992 / 33,416 = 74.8%; 27,267 / 35,192 = 77.5%; 30,923 / 37,401 = 82.7%; Q2 2026 8,755 / 10,163 = 86.1%; Q2 2025 7,508 / 9,361 = 80.2%. Discount revenue left after incentives: 24,563 - 16,762 = 7,801; 30,739 - 21,904 = 8,835; 33,416 - 24,992 = 8,424; 35,192 - 27,267 = 7,925; 37,401 - 30,923 = 6,478; Q2 2026 10,163 - 8,755 = 1,408; Q2 2025 9,361 - 7,508 = 1,853. Incentives / total revenue 16,762 / 42,380 = 39.6%; 30,923 / 72,229 = 42.8%. Incentive growth 30,923 / 16,762 - 1 = 84%; 30,923 / 27,267 - 1 = 13.4%. Discount revenue growth 37,401 / 24,563 - 1 = 52%; 37,401 / 35,192 - 1 = 6.3%. Rewards 18,409 / 11,007 - 1 = 67%; rewards / discount revenue 11,007 / 24,563 = 44.8%; 14,002 / 30,739 = 45.6%; 15,367 / 33,416 = 46.0%; 16,599 / 35,192 = 47.2%; 18,409 / 37,401 = 49.2%. Business development 6,457 / 3,762 - 1 = 72%; / discount revenue 3,762 / 24,563 = 15.3%, 6,457 / 37,401 = 17.3%. Card Member services 6,057 / 1,993 = 3.04 times (+204%); 6,057 / 1,392 = 4.35; growth 3,968 / 2,959 - 1 = 34.1%; 4,782 / 3,968 - 1 = 20.5%; 6,057 / 4,782 - 1 = 26.7%; 6,057 / 2,959 = 2.05. Card Member services / net card fees 1,993 / 5,195 = 38%; 3,968 / 7,255 = 55%; 6,057 / 9,993 = 61%; Q2 2026 1,949 / 2,862 = 68%. Membership Rewards liability 16.5 billion / equity 33,474 = 49%; URR +1 point = 4 x 229 = 916. Card fees: 9,993 / 4,042 = 2.47 (+147%); 9,993 / 5,195 - 1 = 92%; growth 6,070 / 5,195 - 1 = 16.8%, 7,255 / 6,070 - 1 = 19.5%, 8,449 / 7,255 - 1 = 16.5%, 9,993 / 8,449 - 1 = 18.3%; added 9,993 - 8,449 = 1,544. Share of revenue 4,042 / 43,556 = 9.3%; 5,195 / 42,380 = 12.3%; 7,255 / 60,515 = 12.0%; 9,993 / 72,229 = 13.8%. Average fee per card 131 / 58 = 2.26; 117 / 103 - 1 = 14%. Proprietary cards 86.6 / 70.3 - 1 = 23%. Marketing 6,252 / 12.5 million new cards = about $500; 6,252 / 1,544 = 4.0. Card fees plus net interest income (9,993 + 17,364) / 72,229 = 38%. Spending per card 23,496 / 20,392 - 1 = 15.2%; 24,059 / 23,496 - 1 = 2.4%; 24,608 / 24,059 - 1 = 2.3%; 25,453 / 24,608 - 1 = 3.4%. Billed business 1,669.8 / 1,070.5 - 1 = 56%; 1,669.8 / 1,550.9 - 1 = 7.7%; 870.7 / 1,070.5 - 1 = -18.7%. Network volumes 1,897.0 / 1,265.7 - 1 = 50%; 1,897.0 - 1,669.8 = 227.2. Merchant rate 2.51% - 2.24% = 0.27 points x 1,669.8 billion = about 4.5 billion; 4.5 / 37.4 = 12%. Pretax income 13,795 - 10,689 = 3,106. Revenue mix 2019: discount 26,167 / 43,556 = 60.1%; net interest income 8,620 / 43,556 = 19.8%; 2025: 37,401 / 72,229 = 51.8%; 17,364 / 72,229 = 24.0%. Net interest income 17,364 / 7,750 = 2.24; 17,364 / 8,620 - 1 = 101%; +100bp +19 / 17,364 = 0.1%. Card Member loans 151,832 / 87,400 - 1 = 74%. Held for sale 2,457 / 151,832 = 1.6%. Revenue 2020 36,087 / 43,556 - 1 = -17%. Deposits 152,488 / 210,300 = 72.5%; 156,973 / 152,488 - 1 = 2.9%. Delta: 13% x 1,669.8 = 217 billion; 8.2 billion / net income 10,833 = 76%; 8.2 / net card fees 9,993 = 82%; 8.2 / 7.4 - 1 = 11%. Other cobrands 26% - 13% = 13% x 1,669.8 = 217; proprietary 74% x 1,669.8 = 1,236. Valuation: market value 206.30 / 254.84 - 1 = -19%; P/E 206.30 / trailing net income 11.446 = 18.0; P/S 206.30 / 75.95 = 2.72; end-2025 254.84 / 10.833 = 23.5; end-2015 68.45 / 5.163 = 13.3; earnings yield 1 / 23.5 = 4.3%. Trailing twelve months to June 2026: revenue 72,229 + 38,544 - 34,823 = 75,950; net income 10,833 + 6,082 - 5,469 = 11,446; EPS 15.38 + 8.81 - 7.71 = 16.48. Diluted shares 696 / 1,003 - 1 = -30.6%. Net income 10,833 / 5,163 = 2.10; EPS 15.38 / 5.05 = 3.05. Berkshire 151.61 million / 675 million = 22.5%; 13F shares 1,149,942 + 149,061,045 + 1,399,713 = 151,610,700, value 388,967,882 + 50,419,898,471 + 473,452,922 = $51.28 billion (30 June 2026). Card balances consumer 144,974 / 218,054 = 66%. Card fees / discount revenue 9,993 / 37,401 = 27% (2025), 4,042 / 26,167 = 15% (2019). Marketing plus incentives 6,252 + 30,923 = 37,175. Provisions / net interest income 5,256 / 17,364 = 30%. Card Member loans growth 139,674 / 125,995 - 1 = 11%; 151,832 / 139,674 - 1 = 9%; billed business 1,550.9 / 1,459.6 - 1 = 6%. Price to book 305.50 / 48.42 = 6.3. Receivables 62,031 / (151,832 + 62,031) = 29%. GMNS Q2 2026 pretax 1,128 / 1,054 - 1 = 7%. Dividend yield 3.80 / 305.50 = 1.2%. Discount revenue at the 2013 rate 2.51% x 1,669.8 = 41.9 billion; each basis point of rate 0.0001 x 1,669.8 billion = 167 million (5bp 835, 10bp 1,670). Merchant locations at the start of 2026 about 190 - 20 = 170 million. Card Member services growth 2021-2025 +204% against net card fees +92%. A 2020-sized fall today: 18.7% x 1,669.8 = about 312 billion. Revenue outside the United States (7,073 + 5,218 + 4,194) / 72,229 = 23%. 2026 revenue guidance 72,229 x 1.10 = 79,452. Segments (2025, $ millions): revenue 34,814 + 16,926 + 13,000 + 7,759 = 72,499; less Corporate and Other 270 = 72,229. Shares of segment revenue: USCS 34,814 / 72,499 = 48.0%; CS 23.3%; ICS 17.9%; GMNS 10.7%. Pretax income 6,810 + 3,668 + 1,603 + 3,968 = 16,049; shares USCS 42.4%, CS 22.9%, ICS 10.0%, GMNS 24.7%. Pretax margins: USCS 6,810 / 34,814 = 19.6% (2020 3,103 / 16,347 = 19.0%; 2021 5,958 / 18,922 = 31.5%; 2022 5,400 / 23,914 = 22.6%; 2023 5,433 / 28,116 = 19.3%; 2024 6,377 / 31,427 = 20.3%); CS 3,668 / 16,926 = 21.7% (2020 1,013 / 9,234 = 11.0%); ICS 1,603 / 13,000 = 12.3% (2020 521 / 6,742 = 7.7%; 2021 929 / 7,435 = 12.5%; 2022 578 / 9,061 = 6.4%; 2023 973 / 10,430 = 9.3%; 2024 1,031 / 11,461 = 9.0%); GMNS 3,968 / 7,759 = 51.1% (2020 1,294 / 4,309 = 30.0%; 2021 1,874 / 5,129 = 36.5%; 2022 2,954 / 6,475 = 45.6%; 2023 3,656 / 7,396 = 49.4%). ICS pretax 1,603 / 1,031 - 1 = 55%. GMNS 2024 excluding the Accertify gain 4,398 - 531 = 3,867; 3,968 / 3,867 - 1 = 2.6%. Revenue 2020 to 2025: USCS 34,814 / 16,347 = 2.13; CS 16,926 / 9,234 = 1.83; ICS 13,000 / 6,742 = 1.93; GMNS 7,759 / 4,309 = 1.80. 2020 segment total 16,347 + 9,234 + 6,742 + 4,309 = 36,632; USCS share 16,347 / 36,632 = 44.6%. USCS Q2 2026 pretax 2,065 / 1,676 - 1 = 23%. Regions 2025: pretax 13,054 + 1,255 + 831 + 907 = 16,047; United States 13,054 / 16,047 = 81%; 13,054 / consolidated 13,795 = 95%; outside the United States (1,255 + 831 + 907) / 16,047 = 19%; revenue 56,015 / 72,229 = 78% - card fees, spending, lending, funding, valuation, Delta and per-share arithmetic. — 2013-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in American Express's Forms 10-K, 10-Q, earnings releases and statistical supplements, Delta Air Lines' Form 10-K and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  5. ReportedThe first is how many points will ever be redeemed, the ultimate redemption rate, which Amex put at 96% "(rounded down) at both December 31, 2025 and 2024".
    American Express Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Card Member rewards, Membership Rewards liability, business development and Card Member services. — FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  6. ReportedThe second is what each point costs when it is redeemed, the weighted average cost per point, derived from twelve months of redemptions.
    American Express Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Card Member rewards, Membership Rewards liability, business development and Card Member services. — FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  7. ReportedAn increase of 25 basis points in the redemption rate would add about $229 million to the liability and to rewards expense; an increase of one basis point in the cost per point would add about $244 million.
    American Express Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Card Member rewards, Membership Rewards liability, business development and Card Member services. — FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  8. ReportedIn the second quarter of 2026 it enabled redemption for U.S. Card Members checking out with Apple Pay.
    American Express second-quarter 2026 earnings release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1. — Q2 2026 · publ. 24 July 2026 · source ↗
  9. Third-party estimateAccording to a third-party summary of the second-quarter 2026 call, lower ultimate redemption assumptions produced a small Membership Rewards benefit in the quarter.
    American Express second-quarter 2026 earnings call transcript (third-party transcript). — Q2 2026 · publ. 24 July 2026 · source ↗
  10. ReportedThat is the other side of the same sensitivity: a change of a quarter of a point in the redemption estimate moves expense by about $229 million in either direction.
    American Express Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Card Member rewards, Membership Rewards liability, business development and Card Member services. — FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  11. ReportedIt was 96% at the end of both 2024 and 2025; a reported figure of 97% would add roughly $900 million of expense on the disclosed sensitivity, and would mean the programme's breakage, the points never redeemed, had shrunk to almost nothing.
    American Express Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Card Member rewards, Membership Rewards liability, business development and Card Member services. — FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  12. Moat Explorer calcIt was 96% at the end of both 2024 and 2025; a reported figure of 97% would add roughly $900 million of expense on the disclosed sensitivity, and would mean the programme's breakage, the points never redeemed, had shrunk to almost nothing.
    Moat Explorer calculation from American Express's reported figures ($ millions unless stated). Incentives (variable customer engagement costs = Card Member rewards + business development + Card Member services): 2021 11,007 + 3,762 + 1,993 = 16,762; 2022 14,002 + 4,943 + 2,959 = 21,904; 2023 15,367 + 5,657 + 3,968 = 24,992; 2024 16,599 + 5,886 + 4,782 = 27,267; 2025 18,409 + 6,457 + 6,057 = 30,923; Q2 2026 5,051 + 1,755 + 1,949 = 8,755; Q2 2025 7,508. As a share of discount revenue: 16,762 / 24,563 = 68.2%; 21,904 / 30,739 = 71.3%; 24,992 / 33,416 = 74.8%; 27,267 / 35,192 = 77.5%; 30,923 / 37,401 = 82.7%; Q2 2026 8,755 / 10,163 = 86.1%; Q2 2025 7,508 / 9,361 = 80.2%. Discount revenue left after incentives: 24,563 - 16,762 = 7,801; 30,739 - 21,904 = 8,835; 33,416 - 24,992 = 8,424; 35,192 - 27,267 = 7,925; 37,401 - 30,923 = 6,478; Q2 2026 10,163 - 8,755 = 1,408; Q2 2025 9,361 - 7,508 = 1,853. Incentives / total revenue 16,762 / 42,380 = 39.6%; 30,923 / 72,229 = 42.8%. Incentive growth 30,923 / 16,762 - 1 = 84%; 30,923 / 27,267 - 1 = 13.4%. Discount revenue growth 37,401 / 24,563 - 1 = 52%; 37,401 / 35,192 - 1 = 6.3%. Rewards 18,409 / 11,007 - 1 = 67%; rewards / discount revenue 11,007 / 24,563 = 44.8%; 14,002 / 30,739 = 45.6%; 15,367 / 33,416 = 46.0%; 16,599 / 35,192 = 47.2%; 18,409 / 37,401 = 49.2%. Business development 6,457 / 3,762 - 1 = 72%; / discount revenue 3,762 / 24,563 = 15.3%, 6,457 / 37,401 = 17.3%. Card Member services 6,057 / 1,993 = 3.04 times (+204%); 6,057 / 1,392 = 4.35; growth 3,968 / 2,959 - 1 = 34.1%; 4,782 / 3,968 - 1 = 20.5%; 6,057 / 4,782 - 1 = 26.7%; 6,057 / 2,959 = 2.05. Card Member services / net card fees 1,993 / 5,195 = 38%; 3,968 / 7,255 = 55%; 6,057 / 9,993 = 61%; Q2 2026 1,949 / 2,862 = 68%. Membership Rewards liability 16.5 billion / equity 33,474 = 49%; URR +1 point = 4 x 229 = 916. Card fees: 9,993 / 4,042 = 2.47 (+147%); 9,993 / 5,195 - 1 = 92%; growth 6,070 / 5,195 - 1 = 16.8%, 7,255 / 6,070 - 1 = 19.5%, 8,449 / 7,255 - 1 = 16.5%, 9,993 / 8,449 - 1 = 18.3%; added 9,993 - 8,449 = 1,544. Share of revenue 4,042 / 43,556 = 9.3%; 5,195 / 42,380 = 12.3%; 7,255 / 60,515 = 12.0%; 9,993 / 72,229 = 13.8%. Average fee per card 131 / 58 = 2.26; 117 / 103 - 1 = 14%. Proprietary cards 86.6 / 70.3 - 1 = 23%. Marketing 6,252 / 12.5 million new cards = about $500; 6,252 / 1,544 = 4.0. Card fees plus net interest income (9,993 + 17,364) / 72,229 = 38%. Spending per card 23,496 / 20,392 - 1 = 15.2%; 24,059 / 23,496 - 1 = 2.4%; 24,608 / 24,059 - 1 = 2.3%; 25,453 / 24,608 - 1 = 3.4%. Billed business 1,669.8 / 1,070.5 - 1 = 56%; 1,669.8 / 1,550.9 - 1 = 7.7%; 870.7 / 1,070.5 - 1 = -18.7%. Network volumes 1,897.0 / 1,265.7 - 1 = 50%; 1,897.0 - 1,669.8 = 227.2. Merchant rate 2.51% - 2.24% = 0.27 points x 1,669.8 billion = about 4.5 billion; 4.5 / 37.4 = 12%. Pretax income 13,795 - 10,689 = 3,106. Revenue mix 2019: discount 26,167 / 43,556 = 60.1%; net interest income 8,620 / 43,556 = 19.8%; 2025: 37,401 / 72,229 = 51.8%; 17,364 / 72,229 = 24.0%. Net interest income 17,364 / 7,750 = 2.24; 17,364 / 8,620 - 1 = 101%; +100bp +19 / 17,364 = 0.1%. Card Member loans 151,832 / 87,400 - 1 = 74%. Held for sale 2,457 / 151,832 = 1.6%. Revenue 2020 36,087 / 43,556 - 1 = -17%. Deposits 152,488 / 210,300 = 72.5%; 156,973 / 152,488 - 1 = 2.9%. Delta: 13% x 1,669.8 = 217 billion; 8.2 billion / net income 10,833 = 76%; 8.2 / net card fees 9,993 = 82%; 8.2 / 7.4 - 1 = 11%. Other cobrands 26% - 13% = 13% x 1,669.8 = 217; proprietary 74% x 1,669.8 = 1,236. Valuation: market value 206.30 / 254.84 - 1 = -19%; P/E 206.30 / trailing net income 11.446 = 18.0; P/S 206.30 / 75.95 = 2.72; end-2025 254.84 / 10.833 = 23.5; end-2015 68.45 / 5.163 = 13.3; earnings yield 1 / 23.5 = 4.3%. Trailing twelve months to June 2026: revenue 72,229 + 38,544 - 34,823 = 75,950; net income 10,833 + 6,082 - 5,469 = 11,446; EPS 15.38 + 8.81 - 7.71 = 16.48. Diluted shares 696 / 1,003 - 1 = -30.6%. Net income 10,833 / 5,163 = 2.10; EPS 15.38 / 5.05 = 3.05. Berkshire 151.61 million / 675 million = 22.5%; 13F shares 1,149,942 + 149,061,045 + 1,399,713 = 151,610,700, value 388,967,882 + 50,419,898,471 + 473,452,922 = $51.28 billion (30 June 2026). Card balances consumer 144,974 / 218,054 = 66%. Card fees / discount revenue 9,993 / 37,401 = 27% (2025), 4,042 / 26,167 = 15% (2019). Marketing plus incentives 6,252 + 30,923 = 37,175. Provisions / net interest income 5,256 / 17,364 = 30%. Card Member loans growth 139,674 / 125,995 - 1 = 11%; 151,832 / 139,674 - 1 = 9%; billed business 1,550.9 / 1,459.6 - 1 = 6%. Price to book 305.50 / 48.42 = 6.3. Receivables 62,031 / (151,832 + 62,031) = 29%. GMNS Q2 2026 pretax 1,128 / 1,054 - 1 = 7%. Dividend yield 3.80 / 305.50 = 1.2%. Discount revenue at the 2013 rate 2.51% x 1,669.8 = 41.9 billion; each basis point of rate 0.0001 x 1,669.8 billion = 167 million (5bp 835, 10bp 1,670). Merchant locations at the start of 2026 about 190 - 20 = 170 million. Card Member services growth 2021-2025 +204% against net card fees +92%. A 2020-sized fall today: 18.7% x 1,669.8 = about 312 billion. Revenue outside the United States (7,073 + 5,218 + 4,194) / 72,229 = 23%. 2026 revenue guidance 72,229 x 1.10 = 79,452. Segments (2025, $ millions): revenue 34,814 + 16,926 + 13,000 + 7,759 = 72,499; less Corporate and Other 270 = 72,229. Shares of segment revenue: USCS 34,814 / 72,499 = 48.0%; CS 23.3%; ICS 17.9%; GMNS 10.7%. Pretax income 6,810 + 3,668 + 1,603 + 3,968 = 16,049; shares USCS 42.4%, CS 22.9%, ICS 10.0%, GMNS 24.7%. Pretax margins: USCS 6,810 / 34,814 = 19.6% (2020 3,103 / 16,347 = 19.0%; 2021 5,958 / 18,922 = 31.5%; 2022 5,400 / 23,914 = 22.6%; 2023 5,433 / 28,116 = 19.3%; 2024 6,377 / 31,427 = 20.3%); CS 3,668 / 16,926 = 21.7% (2020 1,013 / 9,234 = 11.0%); ICS 1,603 / 13,000 = 12.3% (2020 521 / 6,742 = 7.7%; 2021 929 / 7,435 = 12.5%; 2022 578 / 9,061 = 6.4%; 2023 973 / 10,430 = 9.3%; 2024 1,031 / 11,461 = 9.0%); GMNS 3,968 / 7,759 = 51.1% (2020 1,294 / 4,309 = 30.0%; 2021 1,874 / 5,129 = 36.5%; 2022 2,954 / 6,475 = 45.6%; 2023 3,656 / 7,396 = 49.4%). ICS pretax 1,603 / 1,031 - 1 = 55%. GMNS 2024 excluding the Accertify gain 4,398 - 531 = 3,867; 3,968 / 3,867 - 1 = 2.6%. Revenue 2020 to 2025: USCS 34,814 / 16,347 = 2.13; CS 16,926 / 9,234 = 1.83; ICS 13,000 / 6,742 = 1.93; GMNS 7,759 / 4,309 = 1.80. 2020 segment total 16,347 + 9,234 + 6,742 + 4,309 = 36,632; USCS share 16,347 / 36,632 = 44.6%. USCS Q2 2026 pretax 2,065 / 1,676 - 1 = 23%. Regions 2025: pretax 13,054 + 1,255 + 831 + 907 = 16,047; United States 13,054 / 16,047 = 81%; 13,054 / consolidated 13,795 = 95%; outside the United States (1,255 + 831 + 907) / 16,047 = 19%; revenue 56,015 / 72,229 = 78% - the incentive lines (rewards, business development, Card Member services) against discount revenue and card fees. — 2013-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in American Express's Forms 10-K, 10-Q, earnings releases and statistical supplements, Delta Air Lines' Form 10-K and market data; operands shown in the source line.
Sources
Generated September 28, 2026