Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract]
Marketing and promotion	$ 809	$ 827	$ 2,407	$ 2,234
Card Member rewards	1,695	1,619	5,050	4,740
Card Member services and other	205	197	619	579
Total marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other	$ 2,709	$ 2,643	$ 8,076	$ 7,553

Marketing and promotion expense includes advertising costs. Cardmember rewards expense includes the costs of rewards programs (including Membership Rewards). Cardmember services expense includes protection plans and complimentary services provided to cardmembers.

No definition available.

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