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Restructuring Charges (Details 1) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | $ 313,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost | $ 133,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost | $ 411,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost | $ (4,000,000)us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost | $ 403,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 919,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 |  | 919,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 |  |
Employee Severance [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, net of revisions |  |  | 383,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember | (7,000,000)us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember | 366,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 798,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember |  | 798,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember |  |
Other Terminations [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, net of revisions |  |  | 28,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember | 3,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember | 37,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 121,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember |  | 121,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember |  |
U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, net of revisions |  |  | 38,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 72,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  | 72,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
U S Card Services [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 66,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  | 66,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
U S Card Services [Member] | Other Terminations [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 6,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  | 6,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
International Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, net of revisions |  |  | 139,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 221,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  | 221,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
International Card Services [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 220,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  | 220,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
International Card Services [Member] | Other Terminations [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 1,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  | 1,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, net of revisions |  |  | 54,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 267,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  | 267,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 249,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  | 249,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Other Terminations [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 18,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  | 18,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, net of revisions |  |  | 25,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 68,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  | 68,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 68,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  | 68,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | Other Terminations [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 0 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  | 0 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Corporate and Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, net of revisions |  |  | 155,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 291,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  | 291,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Severance and other charges |  |  | 222,000,000 axp_SeveranceAndOtherCharges / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Corporate and Other [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 195,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  | 195,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |
Corporate and Other [Member] | Other Terminations [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | $ 96,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  | $ 96,000,000 us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = axp_OtherTerminationsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember |  |

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- Definition Represents certain severance and other charges related to Company-wide support functions which were not allocated to the Company's operating segments, as these were corporate initiatives and are consistent with how such charges were reported internally. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of costs incurred to date for the specified restructuring cost. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 + Details
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- Definition Discloses the amount charged against the accrued restructuring reserves, or earnings if not previously accrued, during the period for the specified type of restructuring cost. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 + Details
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