Name:	axp_CombinedEarningsAndFixedChargesToFixedChargesRatioRequired
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Represents the percentage of the principal amount the Company's Subordinated Debentures are redeemable for cash, plus any accrued but unpaid interest.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebenturesRedeemablePercentageOfPrincipal
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Date at which the Company's Subordinated Debentures will automatically extended to, except in the case of either (i) a prior redemption or (ii) a default.

No definition available.

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The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR, plus a stated interest rate.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRate
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Period Type:	duration

Name:	axp_DebtTextualsAbstract
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Represents the face amount of eligible note that the Company has the right to sell up to at any time through July 15, 2016.

No definition available.

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Period Type:	instant

Represents the amount of draw downs on the face amount of eligible notes, which are secured through a financing facility, and can be issued through a specified date.

No definition available.

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Period Type:	instant

Represents a specific performance measure the Company is required to meet related to its convertible subordinated debentures.

No definition available.

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Represents a specific performance measure the Company is required to meet related to its convertible subordinated debentures.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_PercentageOfDeclineInTangibleCommonEquity
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Represents the specified date in which the face amount of eligible notes, which are secured through a financing facility, can be issued.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_SpecifiedDateFaceAmountOfEligibleNotesIssued
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Including the current and noncurrent portions, the carrying value of convertible subordinated debt, as of the balance sheet date, initially scheduled to be repaid after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle if longer. This form of debt can be exchanged for a specified amount of another security, typically the entity's common stock, at the option of the issuer or the holder, and places a lender in a lien position behind debt having a higher priority of repayment in liquidation of the entity's assets.

Reference 1: 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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 3: 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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX210.5-02.22))

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

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Article 5

-Subsection 20, 22

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

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

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

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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The amount of cash paid for interest during the period.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4297-108586

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585

Name:	us-gaap_InterestPaid
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Amount of the fee for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

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

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

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Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

Name:	us-gaap_SeniorNotes
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

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