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Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Earnings allocated to participating share awards and other items. | $ (15) | $ (13) | $ (44) | $ (38)

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- Definition Earnings allocated to participating share awards and other items + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration