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Customer Deposits (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
--- | --- | ---
Deposits By Type |  |
Other deposits | $ 627 | $ 674
Total customer deposits | 37,898 | 29,727
United States [Member] |  |
Deposits By Type |  |
Savings accounts - Direct | 14,649 | 7,725
Certificates of deposit - Direct | 893 | 1,052
Certificates of deposit - Third party | 10,781 | 11,411
Sweep accounts - Third party | $ 10,948 | $ 8,865

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- Definition Represents other types of deposits not previously classified. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_DepositsOther
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Represents direct personal savings accounts, primarily high yield savings accounts, offered directly by the Company's Banks. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_DepositsSavingsAccountsDirect
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Represents direct certificates of deposit accounts offered directly by the Company's Banks. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_DirectCertificatesOfDeposits
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Represents third party certificate of deposit accounts offered by the Company's Banks. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_ThirdPartyCertificatesOfDeposit
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Represents third party sweep accounts offered by the Company's Banks. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_ThirdPartySweepAccounts
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The aggregate of all deposit liabilities held by the entity, including foreign and domestic, interest and noninterest bearing; may include demand deposits, saving deposits, Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) and time deposits among others. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 12 -Article 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-DEP -Chapter 13 -Paragraph 37, 38, 39 -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 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Deposits
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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