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Reportable Operating Segments and Geographic Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-interest revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 28,820 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome | $ 27,927 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome | $ 26,927 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome |  |
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,179 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating | 7,005 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating | 6,854 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating |  |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,707 us-gaap_InterestExpense | 1,958 us-gaap_InterestExpense | 2,226 us-gaap_InterestExpense |  |
Total revenues, net of interest expense | 9,107 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense | 8,329 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense | 8,657 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense | 8,199 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense | 8,547 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense | 8,301 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense | 8,245 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense | 7,881 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense | 34,292 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense | 32,974 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense | 31,555 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense |  |
Total provision |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,044 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses | 1,832 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses | 1,712 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses |  |
Pretax income | 2,225 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 2,246 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 2,312 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 2,208 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 1,980 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 2,004 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 1,995 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 1,909 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 8,991 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 7,888 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 6,451 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments |  |
Income tax provision (benefit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,106 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit | 2,529 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit | 1,969 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit |  |
Total shareholders' equity | 20,673 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity |  |  |  | 19,496 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity |  |  |  | 20,673 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity | 19,496 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity | 18,886 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity | 18,794 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity | 18,794 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-interest revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,732 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 12,123 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 11,469 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,786 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 5,565 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 5,342 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 604 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 693 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 765 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
Total revenues, net of interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 17,914 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 16,995 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 16,046 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
Total provision |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,396 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 1,250 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 1,253 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
Pretax income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,100 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 4,994 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 4,069 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
Income tax provision (benefit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,900 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 1,801 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 1,477 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
Net Income from continuing operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,200 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 3,193 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 2,592 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
Total shareholders' equity | 10,400 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |  |  | 9,300 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |  |  | 10,400 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 9,300 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 8,700 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
International Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-interest revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,737 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 4,644 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 4,561 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,085 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 1,118 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 1,147 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 330 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 361 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 402 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Total revenues, net of interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,492 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 5,401 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 5,306 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Total provision |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 370 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 388 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 279 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Pretax income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 449 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 643 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 659 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Income tax provision (benefit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 38 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 12 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 25 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Net Income from continuing operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 411 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 631 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 634 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Total shareholders' equity | 3,000 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |  |  | 3,100 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |  |  | 3,000 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 3,100 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 2,900 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-interest revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,173 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 5,085 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 4,995 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 13 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 11 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 240 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 245 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 257 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Total revenues, net of interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,948 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 4,853 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 4,749 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Total provision |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 180 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 129 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 106 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Pretax income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,408 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 1,244 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 960 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Income tax provision (benefit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 865 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 384 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 316 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Net Income from continuing operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,543 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 860 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 644 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Total shareholders' equity | 3,800 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |  |  | 3,700 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |  |  | 3,800 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 3,700 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 3,600 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-interest revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,426 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 5,229 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 5,005 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 52 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 32 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 23 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (269)us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | (252)us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | (243)us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Total revenues, net of interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,747 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 5,513 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 5,271 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Total provision |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 93 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 67 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 73 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Pretax income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,620 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 2,469 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 2,219 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Income tax provision (benefit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 960 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 894 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 776 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Net Income from continuing operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,660 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 1,575 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 1,443 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Total shareholders' equity | 2,000 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |  |  | 2,000 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |  |  | 2,000 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 2,000 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 2,000 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Corporate and Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-interest revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 752 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 846 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 897 us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 241 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 277 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 331 us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 802 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 911 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 1,045 us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Total revenues, net of interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 191 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 212 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 183 axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Total provision |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | (2)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 1 us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Pretax income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (1,586)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | (1,462)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | (1,456)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Income tax provision (benefit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (657)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | (562)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | (625)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Net Income from continuing operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (929)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | (900)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | (831)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Total shareholders' equity | $ 1,500 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |  |  | $ 1,400 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |  |  | $ 1,500 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | $ 1,400 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | $ 1,700 us-gaap_StockholdersEquity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |

X
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- Definition Represents the total of interest and dividend income, including any amortization and accretion (as applicable) of discounts and premiums, earned from (1) loans and leases whether held-for-sale or held-in-portfolio; (2) investment securities; (3) federal funds sold; (4) securities purchased under agreements to resell; (5) investments in banker's acceptances, commercial paper, or certificates of deposit; (6) dividend income; or (7) other investments not otherwise specified herein. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.1-5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 1, 2 , 3, 4, 5 -Article 9 + Details
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