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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 7) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2012 Accounts | Mar. 31, 2011 Accounts
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items] |  |
Number of Accounts | 10,000 | 16,000
Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default | $ 75 | $ 121
Cardmember Loans [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] |  |
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items] |  |
Number of Accounts | 9,000 | 14,000
Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default | 63 | 109
Cardmember Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] |  |
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items] |  |
Number of Accounts | 1,000 | 2,000
Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default | $ 12 | $ 12

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