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Stock Plans (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |
Stock-based compensation expense | $ 290 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense | $ 350 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense | $ 297 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Stock Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for stock-based compensation arrangements | 104 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense | 127 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense | 107 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] |  |  |
Stock Based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |
Stock-based compensation expense | 193 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = axp_RestrictedStockAwardsMember | 208 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = axp_RestrictedStockAwardsMember | 197 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = axp_RestrictedStockAwardsMember
Stock Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Total unrecognized compensation cost | 211 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = axp_RestrictedStockAwardsMember |  |
Weighted-average remaining vesting period | 1 year 4 months 0 days |  |
Stock Option [Member] |  |  |
Stock Based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |
Stock-based compensation expense | 13 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = us-gaap_StockOptionMember | 23 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = us-gaap_StockOptionMember | 29 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Stock Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Total unrecognized compensation cost | 6 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = us-gaap_StockOptionMember |  |
Weighted-average remaining vesting period | 2 years 1 month 0 days |  |
Liability-Based Awards [Member] |  |  |
Stock Based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |
Stock-based compensation expense | 84 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = axp_LiabilityBasedAwardsMember | 119 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = axp_LiabilityBasedAwardsMember | 70 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = axp_LiabilityBasedAwardsMember
Performance And Market-Based Stock Options [Member] |  |  |
Stock Based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |
Stock-based compensation expense | $ 0 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = axp_PerformanceAndMarketBasedStockOptionsMember | $ 0 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = axp_PerformanceAndMarketBasedStockOptionsMember | $ 1 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = axp_PerformanceAndMarketBasedStockOptionsMember

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- Definition Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 14 -Section F + Details
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- Definition Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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