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v2.4.1.9

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Increase decrease in debt exchange [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction | $ 630,000,000 axp_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmountBeforeTax |  |
Sale of premises and equipment | 3,000,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment | 72,000,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment | 3,000,000 us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Non Cash [Member] |  |  |
Increase decrease in debt exchange [Line Items] |  |  |
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

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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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- Definition The cash inflow from the sale of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
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