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Details of Certain Consolidated Statements of Income Lines (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Marketing and promotion | $ 827 | $ 764 | $ 2,234 | $ 2,168
Card Member rewards | 1,619 | 1,496 | 4,740 | 4,425
Card Member services | 197 | 201 | 579 | 575
Total marketing, promotion, rewards and Card Member services | $ 2,643 | $ 2,461 | $ 7,553 | $ 7,168

X
- Definition Represents the costs of rewards programs (including Membership Rewards). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_CardmemberRewards
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents protection plans and complimentary services provided to cardmembers. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_CardmemberServices
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition Represents advertising costs, which are expensed in the year in which the advertising first takes place. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_MarketingAndPromotion
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Marketing and promotion expense includes advertising costs. Cardmember rewards expense includes the costs of rewards programs (including Membership Rewards). Cardmember services expense includes protection plans and complimentary services provided to cardmembers. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_MarketingPromotionRewardsAndCardmemberServices
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration