When American Express unveiled its second-quarter 2025 results on Friday, it didn’t just announce another round of record-breaking earnings. It offered a rare, high-definition snapshot of how affluent Americans, the premium cardholders at the heart of its business, are faring in a constantly shifting economic landscape. The short answer? Quite well, really.
American Express reported record quarterly revenue of $17.9 billion, up 9% year-over-year, as well as total Card Member spending that surged 7% over the same period in 2024 to a new high of $416.3 billion. The company’s business model, which heavily skews toward a more affluent customer base, renders these numbers a kind of barometer for upper-income Americans’ financial confidence and willingness to spend.
