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v2.4.1.9

Other Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
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Summary of other liabilities |  |
Membership Rewards liability | $ 6,521 axp_MembershipRewardsLiabilities | $ 6,151 axp_MembershipRewardsLiabilities
Employee-related liablities | 2,258 us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent | 2,227 us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent
Rebate and reward accruals | 2,389 axp_RebateAccruals | 2,210 axp_RebateAccruals
Deferred card and other fees, net | 1,308 axp_DeferredCardAndOtherFeesNet | 1,314 axp_DeferredCardAndOtherFeesNet
Book overdraft balances | 647 us-gaap_BankOverdrafts | 442 us-gaap_BankOverdrafts
Other | 4,728 axp_LiabilitiesOther | 4,566 axp_LiabilitiesOther
Total | 17,851 us-gaap_OtherLiabilities | 16,910 us-gaap_OtherLiabilities
Carrying amount of deferred charge card and other fees |  |
Deferred card and other fees | 1,615 axp_DeferredChargeCardAndOtherFees | 1,609 axp_DeferredChargeCardAndOtherFees
Deferred direct acquisition costs | (176)axp_DeferredDirectAcquisitionCosts | (164)axp_DeferredDirectAcquisitionCosts
Reserves for membership cancellations | (131)axp_ReservesForMembershipCancellations | (131)axp_ReservesForMembershipCancellations
Total | $ 1,308 axp_DeferredCardAndOtherFeesNet | $ 1,314 axp_DeferredCardAndOtherFeesNet

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- Definition Represents the carrying amount of deferred charge card and other fees, net of direct acquisition costs and reserves for membership cancellations. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
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- Definition Represents amounts related to deferred charges and other fees including deferred fees for Membership Reward program participants. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents amounts related to deferred direct acquisition costs including deferred direct acquisition costs that are associated with acquiring new Card Members. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents amounts related to other liabilities including accruals for general operating expenses, advertising and promotion, derivatives, restructuring and reengineering reserves. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
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X
- Definition Represents amounts related to the estimated cost of points earned to date that are ultimately expected to be redeemed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_MembershipRewardsLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents amounts related to rebate and reward accruals including payments to third-party card issuing partners and cash-back reward costs. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition Represents estimated fees refundable to Card Members if they cancel their card. + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | credit
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X
- Definition Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of payments made in excess of existing cash balances, which will be honored by the bank but reflected as a loan to the entity. Overdrafts generally have a very short time frame for correction or repayment and are therefore more similar to short-term bank financing than trade financing. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Current Liabilities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6509677 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 210.5-02.20) -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 470 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28361426&loc=d3e1243-112600 + Details
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- Definition Total of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for obligations related to services received from employees, such as accrued salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes and fringe benefits. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -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 210.5-02.20) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition The aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of liabilities not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 15 -Article 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
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