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Reserves for Losses (Details) (USD $) In Millions | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2010 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2010
Changes in the cardmember receivable reserve for losses |  |  |  |
Balance, January 1 |  |  | $ 386 | $ 546
Additions: |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables provisions |  |  | 279 | 239
Cardmember receivables provisions - other |  |  | 80 | 84
Total provision | 161 | 96 | 359 | 323
Deductions: |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables net write-offs | (260) | (365) | (260) | (365)
Cardmember receivables - other | (70) | (64) | (70) | (64)
Balance, June 30 | 415 | 440 | 415 | 440
Valuation allowances and reserves, recoveries |  |  | $ 171 | $ 189

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Namespace Prefix: | axp
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Charge card reserve deductions. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsAbstract. + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Represents adjustments to cardmember receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions for the period. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Represents loss provisions for cardmember receivables consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee reserve components for the period. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Represents adjustments to cardmember receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions and foreign currency translation adjustments for the period. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Represents net write-offs consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries, for the period. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 4 -Article 5 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Amount of the current period expense charged against operations, the offset which is generally to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the purpose of reducing receivables, including notes receivable, to an amount that approximates their net realizable value (the amount expected to be collected). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 5 -Article 5 + Details
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Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Total of recoveries of amounts due the Entity that had previously been written off as uncollectible using allowances (the valuation accounts that are netted against the cost of an asset to value it at its carrying value) and total of reestablishments of reserves (liabilities established to represent expected future costs) that had previously been utilized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 + Details
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