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Significant Credit Concentrations (Details 1) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Card member loans and receivables exposure |  |
On-balance sheet, total | $ 104 | $ 98
Total unused-lines-of-credit - individuals | 238 | 226
U.S. [Member] |  |
Card member loans and receivables exposure |  |
On-balance sheet, total | 82 | 77
U.S. [Member] | Individuals [Member] |  |
Card member loans and receivables exposure |  |
Total unused-lines-of-credit - individuals | 195 | 184
Non-U.S. [Member] |  |
Card member loans and receivables exposure |  |
On-balance sheet, total | 22 | 21
Non-U.S. [Member] | Individuals [Member] |  |
Card member loans and receivables exposure |  |
Total unused-lines-of-credit - individuals | $ 43 | $ 42

X
- Definition Reflects the maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that, based on the gross fair value of the financial instrument relating to cardmember loans and receivables, 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 No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentCardmemberReceivablesAndLoansExposure
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- 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