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Reserves For Losses (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 9 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Card Member receivables reserves for losses - other | $ (115) | $ (73)
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other | (110) | (77)
Allowance for Card Member Receivables and Reserves, Recoveries of Bad Debts | 304 | 292
Allowance for Card Member Loans, Recoveries of Bad Debts | 343 | 382
Unauthorized Transactions [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Card Member receivables reserves for losses - other | (117) | (100)
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other | (96) | (84)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Card Member receivables reserves for losses - other | (3) | 4
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other | (8) | 10
Card Member Bankruptcy Reserves [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Card Member receivables reserves for losses - other | 0 | 18
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other | 0 | 4
Other Items [Member] |  |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] |  |
Card Member receivables reserves for losses - other | 5 | 5
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other | $ (6) | $ (7)

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
Name: | axp_ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsOther
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents adjustments to cardmember receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions and foreign currency translation adjustments for the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsOther
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition Amount of recovery of loans and lease receivables which had previously been fully or partially written-off as bad debts. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossRecoveryOfBadDebts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
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 FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24092-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration