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Basis of Presentation (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments In Affordable Housing Projects [Abstract]
Loss from Affordable Housing Projects, Equity Method Investments	$ 9axp_Incomelossfromaffordablehousingprojectsequitymethodinvestments	$ 8axp_Incomelossfromaffordablehousingprojectsequitymethodinvestments
Affordable Housing Tax Credits and Other Tax Benefits, Amount	12axp_Affordablehousingtaxcreditsandothertaxbenefitsamount	9axp_Affordablehousingtaxcreditsandothertaxbenefitsamount
Qualified Affordable Housing Project, Investments	512axp_Qualifiedaffordablehousingprojectinvestments	522axp_Qualifiedaffordablehousingprojectinvestments
Qualified Affordable Housing Project Investments, Commitment	$ 130axp_QualifiedAffordableHousingProjectInvestmentsCommitment
Affordable Housing Tax Credits Commitment, Year to be Paid	between 2015 and 2023

X

- Definition

Amount of affordable housing tax credits and other tax benefits recognized.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axp_Affordablehousingtaxcreditsandothertaxbenefitsamount
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Year in which contingent commitments to qualified affordable housing project investments are expected to be paid, in CCYY format.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of investment income (loss) of qualified affordable housing project investments accounted for using the equity method.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axp_Incomelossfromaffordablehousingprojectsequitymethodinvestments
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of investment in qualified affordable housing projects.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axp_Qualifiedaffordablehousingprojectinvestments
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of commitment or contingent commitments to qualified affordable housing project investments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axp_QualifiedAffordableHousingProjectInvestmentsCommitment
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant