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Regulatory Matters and Capital Adequacy (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restricted net assets of subsidiaries | $ 9,400,000,000 |  |
American Express Centurion Bank [Member] |  |  |
Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Dividends paid from retained earnings to its parent company | 1,500,000,000 | 0 | 0
American Express Federal Services Bank [Member] |  |  |
Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Dividends paid from retained earnings to its parent company | 550,000,000 | 0 | 0
American Express Centurion And Federal Savings Bank [Member] |  |  |
Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Retained Earnings Available For Payment Of Dividends | $ 4,600,000,000 | $ 3,600,000,000 |

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- Definition Amount of restricted net assets of consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 4 -Section 08 -Paragraph e -Subparagraph 3 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e)(3)(ii)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
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- Definition This element represents disclosure of the total aggregate cash dividends paid to the entity by consolidated subsidiaries, by unconsolidated subsidiaries, and by 50% or less owned persons accounted for using the equity method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24072-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 9 -Section 06 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 12 -Section 04 -Paragraph b Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 235 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-06) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6882215&loc=d3e537971-122884 + Details
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