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Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Net reduction in interest expense on long term debt and other	$ 283axp_NetReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges	$ 346axp_NetReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges	$ 491axp_NetReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges
Net pretax losses on derivatives reclassified from AOCI into earnings	0us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths
Shares held in equity investment	0axp_SharesHeldInEquityInvestment	180,700,000axp_SharesHeldInEquityInvestment
Shares held in equity investment Sold	34,300,000axp_SharesHeldInEquityInvestmentSold
Margin on interest rate swap not netted	114axp_MarginOnInterestRateSwapNotNetted	26axp_MarginOnInterestRateSwapNotNetted
Derivative [Line Items]
Equity investment	1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities	124us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities
Total derivatives assets, net	711us-gaap_DerivativeAssets	329us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Not Sold Or Repledged [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Securities received as collateral	91us-gaap_FairValueOfSecuritiesReceivedAsCollateralThatCanBeResoldOrRepledged / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = axp_NotSoldOrRepledgedMember	0us-gaap_FairValueOfSecuritiesReceivedAsCollateralThatCanBeResoldOrRepledged / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = axp_NotSoldOrRepledgedMember
Risk Exposure Low [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Total derivatives assets, net	620us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = axp_RiskExposureLowMember
Significant Counterparties [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Total derivatives assets, net	0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = axp_SignificantCounterpartiesMember	0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = axp_SignificantCounterpartiesMember
Total derivatives liabilities, net	0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = axp_SignificantCounterpartiesMember	0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis = axp_SignificantCounterpartiesMember
Fair Value Hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of long-term debt	17,600us-gaap_DerivativeAmountOfHedgedItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember	14,700us-gaap_DerivativeAmountOfHedgedItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember
Fair Value Hedges [Member] | ICBC [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Equity investment	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = axp_IcbcMember	122us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = axp_IcbcMember
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of long-term debt	0us-gaap_DerivativeAmountOfHedgedItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember	0us-gaap_DerivativeAmountOfHedgedItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
Net Investment Hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective portion of gain (loss) on hedges	455axp_EffectiveTranslationAdjustmentForHedgeIncreasedDecreasedNetOfTax / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember	253axp_EffectiveTranslationAdjustmentForHedgeIncreasedDecreasedNetOfTax / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember	(288)axp_EffectiveTranslationAdjustmentForHedgeIncreasedDecreasedNetOfTax / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember
Credit Valuation Adjustment [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of long-term debt	$ 0us-gaap_DerivativeAmountOfHedgedItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = axp_CreditValuationAdjustmentMember	$ 0us-gaap_DerivativeAmountOfHedgedItem / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = axp_CreditValuationAdjustmentMember

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Effective portion of cumulative gains and losses on foreign currency derivatives that are designated as, and are effective as, hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity commencing as of the designation date. Adjustment reported in equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income.

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Amount posted as initial margin for centrally cleared interest rate swaps which is not netted against the derivative balances.

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Represents the amount of a net reduction to interest expense on long-term debt and other, primarily related to the net settlements on the Company's fair value hedges.

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Shares held in ICBC

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Shares held in an equity investment sold on July 18th, 2014

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Amount of equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor as trading.

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The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

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Amount of the hedged item as of the balance sheet date related to the derivative. For example, the hedged balance on a debt instrument.

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Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

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Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

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Fair value of collateral permitted, by contact or custom, to be sold or re-pledged.

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