American Express said that its cardholders charged 12 percent more in the first three months of this year than a year earlier, and past-due accounts stayed at historic lows.

The figures helped the company beat Wall Street’s earnings expectations and added to evidence that the well-off are feeling more comfortable about spending than everyone else.

The company said that it had earned $1.25 billion, or $1.07 per share, in the first quarter, compared with analyst estimates of $1.01 per share.

Earnings were 7 percent higher than the same quarter a year earlier.

Revenue rose 8 percent to $7.6 billion and also beat estimates.

AmEx said its income in the US soared 35 percent to $752 million.

Unlike Visa and MasterCard, which only process transactions, American Express issues its own cards. When cardholders charge more on AmEx plastic, the company earns more in fees.