XML 92 R94.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Debt (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Long-term Debt | $ 57,955 us-gaap_LongTermDebt | $ 55,330 us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Unamortized Underwriting Fees | (116)us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense | (105)us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 2.34%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 2.56%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Parent Company [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Long-term Debt | 9,708 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | 10,354 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2016-2042 |
Long-term Debt | 7,535 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | 8,784 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 4.20%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | 4.60%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 5.15%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 5.43%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2015-2017 |
Long-term Debt | 2,089 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember | 2,102 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 3.32%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember | 3.32%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 4.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 4.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2015-2019 |
Long-term Debt | 16,260 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember | 14,875 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 1.22%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember | 2.03%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 2.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 3.13%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2017 |
Long-term Debt | 999 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember | 999 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2015-2017 |
Long-term Debt | 6,100 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember | 2,600 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 1.11%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 0.72%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2018 |
Long-term Debt | 850 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | 850 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.85%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 0.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2015-2018 |
Long-term Debt | 675 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember | 675 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.68%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 0.67%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2015-2019 |
Long-term Debt | 4,400 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember | 2,855 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.82%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 1.14%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2017 |
Long-term Debt | 300 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember | 300 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.46%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 0.47%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2016-2018 |
Long-term Debt | 3,700 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember | 4,200 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.41%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 0.49%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2015-2019 |
Long-term Debt | 8,876 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember | 10,685 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.72%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 0.81%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2016-2018 |
Long-term Debt | 87 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember | 87 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 0.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2015-2019 |
Long-term Debt | 488 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember | 847 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.73%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 0.81%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
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 |
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | Parent Company [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2024-2036 |
Long-term Debt | 1,350 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | 749 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 4.42%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 5.39%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 6.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Borrowings under Bank Credit Facilities [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2016-2017 |
Long-term Debt | 3,672 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember | 4,012 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Borrowings under Bank Credit Facilities [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 4.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 4.18%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2015-2017 |
Long-term Debt | 300 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember | 300 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 1.08%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 1.08%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2016-2033 |
Long-term Debt | 143 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember | 239 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 3.09%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 3.95%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Capitalized lease transactions |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Long-term Debt | 31 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxis = axp_SaleLeaseBackTransactionNameMember | 109 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxis = axp_SaleLeaseBackTransactionNameMember
Floating Rate Borrowings [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Maturity Dates | 2015-2019 |
Long-term Debt | $ 247 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember | $ 276 us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember | 0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
Floating Rate Borrowings [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.59%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember | 0.62%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember

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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 Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 7 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) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: 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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 6: 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 + Details
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