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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details Textuals)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 bp	Dec. 31, 2012 bp	Dec. 31, 2011 bp
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average basis point reduction in interest rate by class of Card Member loans	1,000	1,200	1,100
Card Member Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Average payment term extension	12	13	15

X

- Definition

The average basis point reduction in interest rate by class of Card Member loan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axp_AverageInterestRateReductionByClassOfCardMemberLoan
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The average period for payment term extension for Card Member 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

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration