XML 65 R51.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Reserves for Losses (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
--- | --- | ---
Card Member Receivables And Related Reserves Evaluated Separately and Collectively For Impairment [Abstract] |  |
Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment | $ 55 | $ 117
Reserves on Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment | 39 | 91
Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment | 43,409 | 42,649
Reserves on Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment | $ 357 | $ 337

X
- Details
Name: | axp_CardmemberReceivablesAndRelatedReservesEvaluatedSeparatelyAndCollectivelyForImpairmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were collectively evaluated for impairment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were individually evaluated for impairment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairment1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The balance of financing receivables that were collectively evaluated for impairment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (h) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The balance of financing receivables that were individually evaluated for impairment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (h) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant