XML 84 R34.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Guarantees (Tables) | 9 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 30, 2014
Guarantees (Tables) [Abstract] |
Information related to guarantees | The following table provides information related to such guarantees as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
|  | Maximum potential |  |
|  | undiscounted future |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | payments(a) |  | Related liability(b)
|  | (Billions) |  | (Millions)
Type of Guarantee |  | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Card and travel operations(c) |  | $ | 44 |  | $ | 44 |  | $ | 43 |  | $ | 88
Other(d) |  |  | 1 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 71 |  |  | 73
Total |  | $ | 45 |  | $ | 45 |  | $ | 114 |  | $ | 161
Represents the notional amounts that could be lost under the guarantees an d indemnifications if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties. The maximum potential undiscounted future payments for Merchant Protection are measured using management’s best estimate of maximum exposure based on all eligible claims in relation to annual billed business volumes. Included in other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Primarily includes Return Protection and Merchant Protection. Primarily includes guarantees related to the Company’s business dispositions, real estate and joint ventures.

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

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of each guarantee obligation, or each group of similar guarantee obligations, including (a) the nature of the guarantee, including its term, how it arose, and the events or circumstances that would require the guarantor to perform under the guarantee; (b) the maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee; (c) the current carrying amount of the liability, if any, for the guarantor's obligations under the guarantee; and (d) the nature of any recourse provisions under the guarantee, and any assets held either as collateral or by third parties, and any relevant related party disclosure. Excludes disclosures about product warranties. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12265-110248 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration