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v2.4.1.9

Parent Company (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Parent Company Details (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction | $ (626,000,000)axp_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmountBeforeTax | $ (630,000,000)axp_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmountBeforeTax |  |
Non Cash [Member] |  |  |  |
Parent Company Details (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Charge related to impacts of debt exchange on long-term debt |  | 0 axp_LongTermDebtImpactDueToDebtExchange / axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis = axp_NonCashMember | 0 axp_LongTermDebtImpactDueToDebtExchange / axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis = axp_NonCashMember | 439,000,000 axp_LongTermDebtImpactDueToDebtExchange / axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis = axp_NonCashMember
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction |  | (630,000,000)axp_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmountBeforeTax / axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis = axp_NonCashMember | 0 axp_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmountBeforeTax / axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis = axp_NonCashMember | 0 axp_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmountBeforeTax / axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis = axp_NonCashMember
Parent Company [Member] | Non Cash [Member] |  |  |  |
Parent Company Details (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Charge related to impacts of debt exchange on long-term debt |  | $ 0 axp_LongTermDebtImpactDueToDebtExchange / axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis = axp_NonCashMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | $ 0 axp_LongTermDebtImpactDueToDebtExchange / axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis = axp_NonCashMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |

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- Definition Gain on business travel joint venture, before tax + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
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- Definition Represents the impact on long-term debt due to debt exchange. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
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