XML 46 R56.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Investment Securities (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013
Investment Securities (Details) [Abstract] |  |  |
Other-than-temporary impairments recognized during the period | $ 0 |  | $ 0
Gain on sale of securities | 39 | 36 |
Losses on sale of securities | $ 0 | $ 0 |

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

X
- Definition This item represents the gross profit realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents the gross loss realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the amount of loss recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of investments in debt and equity securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.M) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011274&loc=d3e87990-122713 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration