XML 133 R110.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Common and Preferred Shares and Warrants (Details) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Authorized shares and a reconciliation of common shares issued and outstanding |  |  |
Common shares, authorized | 3,600,000,000 | 3,600,000,000 | 3,600,000,000
Shares issued and outstanding at beginning of year | 1,105,000,000 | 1,164,000,000 | 1,197,000,000
Repurchases of common shares | (55,000,000) | (69,000,000) | (48,000,000)
Other, primarily stock option exercises and RSAs granted | 14,000,000 | 10,000,000 | 15,000,000
Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31 | 1,064,000,000 | 1,105,000,000 | 1,164,000,000
Stockholders' Equity Note (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Shares reserved for issuance under employee stock and employee benefit plans | 63,000,000 |  |

X
- Definition Represents the issuance of common shares during the period due to stock option exercises and restricted stock awards granted. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_CommonStockSharesOther
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the issuance or (repurchases) of common shares during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_IssuanceRepurchasesOfCommonShares
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

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

X
- Definition Aggregate number of common shares reserved for future issuance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant