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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 7) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 Accounts | Jun. 30, 2011 Accounts | Jun. 30, 2012 Accounts | Jun. 30, 2011 Accounts
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Number of Accounts | 7,000 | 15,000 | 17,000 | 31,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Payment Default | $ 55 | $ 108 | $ 130 | $ 230
Cardmember Loans [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Number of Accounts | 6,000 | 13,000 | 15,000 | 27,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Payment Default | 47 | 96 | 110 | 205
Cardmember Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Number of Accounts | 1,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 4,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Payment Default | $ 8 | $ 12 | $ 20 | $ 25

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