XML 44 R76.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 7) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 Accounts
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items] |
Number of Accounts | 52,000
Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default | $ 388
Cardmember Loans [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] |
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items] |
Number of Accounts | 46,000
Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default | 343
Cardmember Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] |
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items] |
Number of Accounts | 6,000
Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default | $ 45

X
- Definition The amount of the outstanding recorded investment modified as TDRs which subsequently defaulted. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_FinancingReceivablesDefaultedInTdrProgramsRecordedInvestment
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of financing receivables in TDR programs that have defaulted. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_FinancingReceivablesModificationsNumberOfAccountsDefaultedInTdrPrograms
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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