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v2.4.1.9

Other Assets (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
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Other Assets Details [Abstract] |  |  |
Goodwill | $ 3,024,000,000 us-gaap_Goodwill | $ 3,198,000,000 us-gaap_Goodwill | $ 3,181,000,000 us-gaap_Goodwill
Deferred tax assets, net | 2,110,000,000 axp_DeferredTaxAssetsOtherNet | 2,443,000,000 axp_DeferredTaxAssetsOtherNet |
Prepaid expenses | 1,626,000,000 us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent | 1,998,000,000 us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent |
Other intangible assets, at amortized cost | 854,000,000 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet | 817,000,000 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet |
Derivative assets | 711,000,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets | 329,000,000 us-gaap_DerivativeAssets |
Restricted cash | 384,000,000 us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents | 486,000,000 us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents |
Other | 2,633,000,000 axp_RemainingOtherAssets | 1,957,000,000 axp_RemainingOtherAssets |
Other assets (includes restricted cash of consolidated variable interest entities) | $ 11,342,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssets | $ 11,228,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssets |

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