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Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items] |  |  |
Total rental expense | $ 237,000,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense | $ 281,000,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense | $ 305,000,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Commitments And Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Range of possible loss, minimum | 0 us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMinimum |  |
Range of possible loss, maximum | 360,000,000 us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum |  |
Contingent obligations with co-brand partners | 1,000,000,000 axp_ContingentObligationsCoBrandPartners |  |
Amount of rentals subject to subleasing arrangements | 34,000,000 axp_OffBalanceSheetRentExpenseSubleaseRentals |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2015 | 4,000,000 us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2016 | 4,000,000 us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2017 | 4,000,000 us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2018 | 4,000,000 us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2019 | 4,000,000 us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, thereafter | $ 19,000,000 us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter |  |

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- Definition This element represents the amount of contingent obligations to make payments under contractual agreements entered into as part of the ongoing operation of the Company's business, primarily with co-brand partners. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The total amount of sublease rental income expected during the future periods disclosed that reduces the entity's rent expense expected to be incurred under operating leases. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of minimum lease payments for capital leases due in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737 + Details
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- Definition Amount of minimum lease payments for capital leases due in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737 + Details
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- Definition Amount of minimum lease payments for capital leases due in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737 + Details
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- Definition Amount of minimum lease payments for capital leases due in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737 + Details
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- Definition Amount of minimum lease payments for capital leases due in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737 + Details
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- Definition Amount of minimum lease payments for capital leases due after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737 + Details
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- Definition Amount of rent expense incurred for leased assets, including but not limited to, furniture and equipment, that is not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The estimated maximum amount of possible loss from the contingency. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349 + Details
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- Definition The estimated minimum amount of possible loss from the contingency. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349 + Details
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