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Reserves For Losses (Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 6 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Cardmember receivables - other | $ (41) | $ (70)
Cardmember loans - other | (53) | (35)
Cardmember receivables net write-offs | (346) | (260)
Cardmember loans net write-offs - principal | (678) | (992)
Valuation allowances and reserves, recoveries | 193 | 171
Allowance for loan and lease losses, recoveries of bad debts | 258 | 300
Unauthorized transactions [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Cardmember receivables - other | (63) | (77)
Cardmember loans - other | 53 | 47
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Cardmember receivables - other | (2) | 5
Cardmember loans - other | 1 | (13)
Cardmember bankruptcy reserves [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Cardmember receivables - other | 18 | 0
Cardmember loans - other | (4) | 0
Other items [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Cardmember receivables - other | 6 | 2
Cardmember loans - other | $ 3 | $ 1

X
- Definition Represents adjustments to cardmember loans reserve including foreign currency translation adjustments, net write-offs related to unauthorized transactions and other adjustments for the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsOther
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Reflects the principal amount of loans that have been removed, or charged off, from both loan receivables and the reserve for credit losses, net of recoveries, typically because they are considered to be not salvageable or have been purchased by unconsolidated collection entities for the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents adjustments to cardmember receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions, foreign currency translation adjustments, and other adjustments for the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents net write-offs consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries, for the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition Reflects a reduction in bad debt expense attributable to collections of loans and lease receivables which had previously been fully or partially charged off as bad debts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 114 -Paragraph 20 -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 SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 9 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph d Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5212-111524 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total of recoveries of amounts due the Entity that had previously been written off as uncollectible using allowances (the valuation accounts that are netted against the cost of an asset to value it at its carrying value) and total of reestablishments of reserves (liabilities established to represent expected future costs) that had previously been utilized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
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Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration