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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details Textuals) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Average basis point reduction in interest rate by class of Card Member loans | 10.00% | 11.00% | 11.00% | 12.00%
U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Average payment term extension | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13

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: | num:percentItemType
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_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration