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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details Textuals) | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2012
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items] |  |
Average basis point reduction in interest rate by class of cardmember loans | 13 | 13
Cardmember Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] |  |
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items] |  |
Average payment term extension | 12 | 15

X
- Definition The average basis point reduction in interest rate by class of cardmember loan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_AverageInterestRateReductionByClassOfCardmemberLoan
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The average period for payment term extension for cardmember receivables modified in a TDR. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_AveragePaymentTermExtension
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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