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Reserves For Losses (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 6 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Cardmember receivables reserves for losses - other | $ 80 | $ 41
Cardmember loans reserves for losses - other | 78 | 53
Allowance for Cardmember Receivables and Reserves, Recoveries of Bad Debts | 200 | 193
Allowance for Cardmember Loans, Recoveries of Bad Debts | 230 | 258
Unauthorized Transactions [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Cardmember receivables reserves for losses - other | (80) | (63)
Cardmember loans reserves for losses - other | (62) | (53)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Cardmember receivables reserves for losses - other | (6) | (2)
Cardmember loans reserves for losses - other | (11) | (1)
Cardmember Bankruptcy Reserves [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Cardmember receivables reserves for losses - other | 0 | 18
Cardmember loans reserves for losses - other | 0 | 4
Other Items [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Cardmember receivables reserves for losses - other | 6 | 6
Cardmember loans reserves for losses - other | $ (5) | $ (3)

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

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- Definition Represents adjustments to cardmember receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions and foreign currency translation adjustments for the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
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 Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=d3e5212-111524 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph d -Article 9 Reference 4: 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. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
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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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Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration