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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
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Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | $ 44,851 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross | $ 44,163 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross |  |
Less: Reserve for losses | 465 us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable | 386 us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable | 428 us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable | 438 us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
Card Member receivables, net | 44,386 us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet | 43,777 us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet |  |
Other receivables, net | 2,614 us-gaap_OtherReceivables | 3,408 us-gaap_OtherReceivables |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Other receivables, reserves | 61 axp_OtherReceivablesReserves | 71 axp_OtherReceivablesReserves |  |
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | 7,025 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 7,329 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember |  |
Card Member receivables, net | 7,000 us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 7,300 us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember |  |
U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | 22,468 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember | 21,842 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember |  |
U S Card Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 7,000 axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 7,300 axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember |  |
International Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | 7,653 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember | 7,771 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | 14,583 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 14,391 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 636 axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByIndustryOfCounterpartyTypeAxis = axp_AirlineMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 836 axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByIndustryOfCounterpartyTypeAxis = axp_AirlineMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member] | Delta [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 606 axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByIndustryOfCounterpartyTypeAxis = axp_AirlineMember / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis = axp_DeltaMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember | 628 axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByIndustryOfCounterpartyTypeAxis = axp_AirlineMember / us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis = axp_DeltaMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember |  |
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | 147 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember | 159 us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember |  |
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | Non United States [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | $ 13,300 axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = axp_NonUnitedStatesMember | $ 13,800 axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = axp_NonUnitedStatesMember |  |

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- Definition For an unclassified balance sheet, the amount due from customers or clients for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to their estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3 -Article 5 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 210.9-03.9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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- Definition For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 4 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5074-111524 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. Excludes amounts related to receivables held-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10(3)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph 3 -Article 9 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amounts due as of the balance sheet date from parties or arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 8 -Article 5 + Details
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