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Debt (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 M | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Face amount of eligible notes from Charge Trust | $ 3,000,000,000 axp_FaceAmountofEligibleNotesChargeTrust |  |
Debt (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Date, interest rate automatically extended, Convertible subordinated notes | Sep. 01, 2066 |  |
Principal outstanding of Subordinated Debentures | 750,000,000 us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebt | 750,000,000 us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebt | 750,000,000 us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebt
Interest rate of convertible subordinated debt LIBOR rate plus an annual percentage after year five following the balance sheet date | 3-month LIBOR + 2.23% |  |
Convertible Subordinated Debentures Redeemable Percentage Of Principal | 100.00%axp_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebenturesRedeemablePercentageOfPrincipal |  |
Number of months prior to trigger determination date decline in tangible common equity | 18 axp_NumberOfMonthsPriorToTriggerDeterminationDateDeclineInTangibleCommonEquity |  |
Percentage of Decline in Tangible Common Equity | 10.00%axp_PercentageOfDeclineInTangibleCommonEquity |  |
Total bank lines of credit of the company | 6,700,000,000 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity | 7,000,000,000 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity |
Unutilized total credit lines | 3,000,000,000 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity | 3,000,000,000 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity |
Fees to maintain credit lines | 49,900,000 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount | 50,200,000 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount |
Line of credit facility financial covenants combined earnings and fixed charges to fixed charges ratio required | 1.25 |  |
Total Interest Paid | 1,700,000,000 us-gaap_InterestPaid | 2,000,000,000 us-gaap_InterestPaid | 2,200,000,000 us-gaap_InterestPaid
Weighted-average coupon rate on senior subordinated notes | 3.60%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate |  |
Senior Subordinated Notes | 600,000,000 us-gaap_SeniorNotes |  |
American Express Charge Trust II [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Face amount of eligible notes draw downs | $ 2,500,000,000 axp_FaceAmountOfEligibleNotesDrawDowns / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember |  |
Specified date face amount of eligible notes issued | Jul. 15, 2016 |  |
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 6.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember |  |

X
- Definition Ratio of combined earnings and fixed earnings to fixed charges American Express Credit Corporation (Credco) is subject to in order to maintain the availability of its credit lines. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the percentage of the principal amount the Company's Subordinated Debentures are redeemable for cash, plus any accrued but unpaid interest. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Date at which the Company's Subordinated Debentures will automatically extended to, except in the case of either (i) a prior redemption or (ii) a default. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR, plus a stated interest rate. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Details
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- Definition Represents the face amount of eligible note that the Company has the right to sell up to at any time through July 15, 2016. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount of draw downs on the face amount of eligible notes, which are secured through a financing facility, and can be issued through a specified date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents a specific performance measure the Company is required to meet related to its convertible subordinated debentures. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents a specific performance measure the Company is required to meet related to its convertible subordinated debentures. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the specified date in which the face amount of eligible notes, which are secured through a financing facility, can be issued. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Including the current and noncurrent portions, the carrying value of convertible subordinated debt, as of the balance sheet date, initially scheduled to be repaid after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle if longer. This form of debt can be exchanged for a specified amount of another security, typically the entity's common stock, at the option of the issuer or the holder, and places a lender in a lien position behind debt having a higher priority of repayment in liquidation of the entity's assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX210.5-02.22)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Article 5 -Subsection 20, 22 + Details
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- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition The amount of cash paid for interest during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4297-108586 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585 + Details
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- Definition Amount of the fee for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility. + 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -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 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -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 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding). + 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -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 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 + Details
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