Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract]
Marketing and promotion	$ 3,320axp_MarketingAndPromotion	$ 3,043axp_MarketingAndPromotion	$ 2,890axp_MarketingAndPromotion
Card Member rewards	6,931axp_CardMemberRewards	6,457axp_CardMemberRewards	6,282axp_CardMemberRewards
Card Member services and other	822axp_CardMemberServices	767axp_CardMemberServices	772axp_CardMemberServices
Total Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other	$ 11,073	$ 10,267	$ 9,944

Marketing and promotion expense includes advertising costs. Card Member rewards expense includes the costs of rewards programs (including Membership Rewards). Card Member services expense includes protection plans and complimentary services provided to Card Members.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_MarketingPromotionRewardsAndCardMemberServices
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration