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Significant Credit Concentrations (Details) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category |  |
On-balance sheet | $ 142 | $ 138
Unused lines-of-credit - individuals | 238 | 226
Individuals [Member] |  |
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category |  |
On-balance sheet | 92 | 88
Financial Institutions [Member] |  |
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category |  |
On-balance sheet | 28 | 23
United States Government And Agencies [Member] |  |
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category |  |
On-balance sheet | 6 | 12
Other Concentration [Member] |  |
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category |  |
On-balance sheet | $ 16 | $ 15

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Represents the approximate credit line available on cardmember loans (including both for on-balance sheet loans and loans previously securitized). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_UnusedLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Reflects the maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that, based on the gross fair value of the financial instrument, the entity would incur if parties to the financial instruments that make up the concentration failed completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts and the collateral or other security, if any, for the amount due proved to be of no value to the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13537-108611 + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration