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Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textuals) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]      
Total rental expense $ 237,000,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense $ 281,000,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense $ 305,000,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Commitments And Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract]      
Range of possible loss, minimum 0us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMinimum    
Range of possible loss, maximum 360,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum    
Contingent obligations with co-brand partners 1,000,000,000axp_ContingentObligationsCoBrandPartners    
Amount of rentals subject to subleasing arrangements 34,000,000axp_OffBalanceSheetRentExpenseSubleaseRentals    
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2015 4,000,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent    
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2016 4,000,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears    
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2017 4,000,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears    
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2018 4,000,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears    
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2019 4,000,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears    
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, thereafter $ 19,000,000us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter