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Asset Securitizations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Securitized Trusts [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 384.0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents	$ 486.0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
American Express Charge Trust [Member]
Securitized Trusts [Line Items]
Restricted cash	2.0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember	2.0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
American Express Lending Trust [Member]
Securitized Trusts [Line Items]
Restricted cash	62.0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember	56.0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Restricted cash held by trusts [Member]
Securitized Trusts [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 64.0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_RestrictedCashHeldByTrustsMember	$ 58.0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_RestrictedCashHeldByTrustsMember

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Namespace Prefix:	axp_
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- Definition

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

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- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
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X

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=axp_RestrictedCashHeldByTrustsMember
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