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Debt (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 57,955us-gaap_LongTermDebt	$ 55,330us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Unamortized Underwriting Fees	(116)us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense	(105)us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	2.34%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	2.56%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Parent Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	9,708us-gaap_LongTermDebt / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	10,354us-gaap_LongTermDebt / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2016-2042
Long-term Debt	7,535us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	8,784us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	4.20%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	4.60%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	5.15%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	5.43%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2015-2017
Long-term Debt	2,089us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember	2,102us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	3.32%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember	3.32%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	4.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	4.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2015-2019
Long-term Debt	16,260us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember	14,875us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	1.22%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember	2.03%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	2.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	3.13%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2017
Long-term Debt	999us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember	999us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2015-2017
Long-term Debt	6,100us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember	2,600us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	1.11%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	0.72%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2018
Long-term Debt	850us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	850us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.85%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	0.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2015-2018
Long-term Debt	675us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember	675us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.68%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	0.67%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2015-2019
Long-term Debt	4,400us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember	2,855us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.82%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	1.14%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2017
Long-term Debt	300us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember	300us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.46%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	0.47%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2016-2018
Long-term Debt	3,700us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember	4,200us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.41%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	0.49%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2015-2019
Long-term Debt	8,876us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember	10,685us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.72%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	0.81%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2016-2018
Long-term Debt	87us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember	87us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	0.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2015-2019
Long-term Debt	488us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember	847us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.73%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	0.81%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	6.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2024-2036
Long-term Debt	1,350us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	749us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	4.42%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	5.39%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	6.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Borrowings under Bank Credit Facilities [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2016-2017
Long-term Debt	3,672us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember	4,012us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
Borrowings under Bank Credit Facilities [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	4.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	4.18%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2015-2017
Long-term Debt	300us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember	300us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	1.08%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	1.08%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2016-2033
Long-term Debt	143us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember	239us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	3.09%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	3.95%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Capitalized lease transactions
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	31us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxis = axp_SaleLeaseBackTransactionNameMember	109us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxis = axp_SaleLeaseBackTransactionNameMember
Floating Rate Borrowings [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2015-2019
Long-term Debt	$ 247us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember	$ 276us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember	0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
Floating Rate Borrowings [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.59%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember	0.62%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember / axp_TypeOfDebtAxis = us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember

X

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axp_LongTermDebtMaturityDates
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Reflects as of the balance-sheet date the effective interest rates on debt outstanding presented if swaps are in place to hedge the underlying debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-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 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7



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 210.5-02.22)

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



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The remaining balance of debt issuance expenses that were capitalized and are being amortized against income over the lives of the respective bond issues. This does not include the amounts capitalized as part of the cost of the utility plant or asset.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	axp_TypeOfDebtAxis=us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: