XML 37 R118.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in Other Comprehensive income      
Balances as of January 1 $ (1,426,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax    
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit (losses) gains, net of tax (117,000,000)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent 89,000,000us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent (7,000,000)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent
Balances as of December 31 (1,919,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax (1,426,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax  
Tax impact for the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income      
Investment securities 19,000,000us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax (142,000,000)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax 7,000,000us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax
Cash flow hedges 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax 1,000,000us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax
Foreign currency translation adjustments (64,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTaxEffect (49,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTaxEffect 24,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTaxEffect
Net investment hedges 273,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetInvestmentHedgesTaxEffect 135,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetInvestmentHedgesTaxEffect (176,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetInvestmentHedgesTaxEffect
Pension and other postretirement benefit losses (46,000,000)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax 56,000,000us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax
Total tax impact 182,000,000us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax (144,000,000)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]      
Changes in Other Comprehensive income      
Balances as of January 1 (1,426,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(927,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(876,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Net unrealized gains (losses) 104,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetUnrealizedGainsLossesNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(159,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetUnrealizedGainsLossesNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
106,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetUnrealizedGainsLossesNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings (66,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(93,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(77,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Net translation of investments in foreign operations (869,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(589,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
215,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Net gains (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations 455,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesRelatedToHedgesOfInvestmentInForeignOperationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
253,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesRelatedToHedgesOfInvestmentInForeignOperationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(288,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesRelatedToHedgesOfInvestmentInForeignOperationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit (losses) gains, net of tax (117,000,000)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
89,000,000us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(7,000,000)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (493,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(499,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(51,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Balances as of December 31 (1,919,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(1,426,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(927,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities [Member]      
Changes in Other Comprehensive income      
Balances as of January 1 63,000,000us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
315,000,000us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
288,000,000us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
Net unrealized gains (losses) 104,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetUnrealizedGainsLossesNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
(159,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetUnrealizedGainsLossesNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
106,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetUnrealizedGainsLossesNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings (71,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
(93,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
(79,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income 33,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
(252,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
27,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
Balances as of December 31 96,000,000us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
63,000,000us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
315,000,000us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]      
Changes in Other Comprehensive income      
Balances as of January 1 0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
(1,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
Net unrealized gains (losses)     0axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetUnrealizedGainsLossesNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings     1,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income 0axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
0axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
1,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
Balances as of December 31 0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]      
Changes in Other Comprehensive income      
Balances as of January 1 (1,090,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
(754,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
(682,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings 5axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
0axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
1axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Net translation of investments in foreign operations (869,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
(589,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
215,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Net gains (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations 455,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesRelatedToHedgesOfInvestmentInForeignOperationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
253,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesRelatedToHedgesOfInvestmentInForeignOperationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
(288,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesRelatedToHedgesOfInvestmentInForeignOperationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (409,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
(336,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
(72,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Balances as of December 31 (1,499,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
(1,090,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
(754,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Losses [Member]      
Changes in Other Comprehensive income      
Balances as of January 1 (399,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
(488,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
(481,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit (losses) gains, net of tax (117,000,000)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
89,000,000us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
(7,000,000)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (117,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
89,000,000axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
(7,000,000)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
Balances as of December 31 $ (516,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
$ (399,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
$ (488,000,000)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember