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Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in Other Comprehensive income |  |
Balances as of start of period | $ (1,919)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |
Pension and other postretirement benefit gains | (23)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent | (27)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent
Balances as of end of period | (2,151)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] |  |
Changes in Other Comprehensive income |  |
Balances as of start of period | (1,919)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember | (1,426)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Net unrealized gains (losses) |  | 68 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetUnrealizedGainsLossesNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(Decrease) increase due to amounts reclassified into earnings | 0 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember | (28)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Net translation loss of investments in foreign operations | (450)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember | (18)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Net losses gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations | 195 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesRelatedToHedgesOfInvestmentInForeignOperationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember | (17)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesRelatedToHedgesOfInvestmentInForeignOperationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Pension and other postretirement benefit gains | 23 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember | 27 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (232)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember | 32 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Balances as of end of period | (2,151)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember | (1,394)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities [Member] |  |
Changes in Other Comprehensive income |  |
Balances as of start of period | 96 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | 63 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
Net unrealized gains (losses) |  | 68 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetUnrealizedGainsLossesNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
(Decrease) increase due to amounts reclassified into earnings | 0 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | (29)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 0 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | 39 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
Balances as of end of period | 96 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | 102 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] |  |
Changes in Other Comprehensive income |  |
Balances as of start of period | (1,499)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember | (1,090)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
(Decrease) increase due to amounts reclassified into earnings | 0 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember | 1 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationForRealizedGainsLossesIntoEarningsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Net translation loss of investments in foreign operations | (450)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember | (18)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Net losses gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations | 195 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesRelatedToHedgesOfInvestmentInForeignOperationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember | (17)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesRelatedToHedgesOfInvestmentInForeignOperationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (255)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember | (34)axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Balances as of end of period | (1,754)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember | (1,124)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Gains (Losses) [Member] |  |
Changes in Other Comprehensive income |  |
Balances as of start of period | (516)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember | (399)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
Pension and other postretirement benefit gains | 23 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember | 27 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 23 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember | 27 axp_OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetChangeNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
Balances as of end of period | $ (493)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember | $ (372)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember

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- Definition Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity, net of tax. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount represents the net change in other comprehensive income (loss) during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the gains and losses, net of tax, associated with the Company's hedges of investment in foreign operations that has been included in a separate component of shareholders' equity during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e681-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669686-108580 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 31 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 + Details
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