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Other Assets (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 Y | Dec. 31, 2010 Y | Dec. 31, 2009
Other Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Restricted cash | $ 584 | $ 4,172 |
Prepaid expenses | 2,378 | 1,802 |
Amortization period of intangible assets, minimum | 1 |  |
Amortization period of intangible assets, maximum | 22 |  |
Amortization expense | 189 | 176 | 140
Amortization period of intangible assets | 13 | 8 |
Affordable housing partnership interests | 332 | 197 |
Affordable housing partnership interests percentage | 50 percent |  |
Prepaid Miles And Reward Points [Member] |  |  |
Other Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Prepaid expenses | 1,800 | 1,200 |
Delta [Member] | Prepaid Miles And Reward Points [Member] |  |  |
Other Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Prepaid expenses | 1,500 | 800 |
American Express Lending Trust [Member] |  |  |
Other Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Restricted cash | 192 | 3,700 |
American Express Charge Trust [Member] |  |  |
Other Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Restricted cash | $ 15 | $ 9 |

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- Definition Represents the amount of the Company's affordable housing partnership interests, included in other assets. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the typical percentage amount the Company owns of its affordable housing partnership interests. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The calculated weighted-average amortization period of a major class of finite-lived intangible assets acquired during the current period either individually or as part of a group of assets (in either an asset acquisition or business combination). A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 44 -Subparagraph a(3) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16265-109275 + Details
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- Definition Aggregate amount of intangible asset amortization recognized as expense during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(2) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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- Definition The maximum useful life of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15217-109273 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15300-109273 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15211-109273 + Details
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- Definition The minimum useful life of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15217-109273 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15300-109273 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15211-109273 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of expenditures made in advance of when the economic benefit of the cost will be realized, and which will be expensed in future periods with the passage of time or when a triggering event occurs. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 10 -Article 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.10) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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- Definition The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-BRD -Chapter 4 -Paragraph 80 -Subparagraph Exhibit 4-8, 3 -IssueDate 2006-05-01 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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