XML 59 R75.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 Accounts
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items] |
Number of Accounts | 197,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance | $ 1,512
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance | 1,452
Cardmember Loans [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] |
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items] |
Number of Accounts | 147,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance | 1,110
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance | 1,064
Cardmember Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] |
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items] |
Number of Accounts | 50,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance | 402
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance | $ 388

X
- Definition The number of financing receivables that have been modified by troubled debt restructurings. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_FinancingReceivablesModificationsNumberOfAccounts
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of the outstanding recorded investment related to financing receivables that have been modified by troubled debt restructurings after the financing receivable had been modified. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_FinancingReceivablesModificationsPostModificationRecordedInvestment
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of the outstanding recorded investment related to financing receivables that have been modified by troubled debt restructurings before the financing receivable had been modified. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_FinancingReceivablesModificationsPreModificationRecordedInvestment
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_TroubledDebtRestructuringDebtorCurrentPeriodLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration