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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	$ 66,835us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard	$ 70,385us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard
Less: Reserve for losses	1,130us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance	1,201us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance	1,191us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance	1,261us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance
Card Member loans, net	65,705us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount	69,184us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
Other loans, net	951us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountOther	920us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountOther
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Other loans, net of reserves	13us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableOtherAllowance	12us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableOtherAllowance
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	27,600us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember	30,115us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
U S Card Services [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	59,929us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember	62,592us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember
U S Card Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Gross Card Member loans available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity	27,600axp_GrossLoansAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember	30,100axp_GrossLoansAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
International Card Services [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	6,848us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember	7,744us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	$ 58us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember	$ 49us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember

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Represents the amount of gross loans available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.

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Amount of allowance to cover probable credit losses on loans and leases. Includes carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for loan losses in connection with business combinations. Excludes allowance for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

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Amount before allowance of credit card loans issued to individuals. Includes deferred interest and fees, undisbursed portion of loan balance, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

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Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements and loans held for sale.

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Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of other loans and leases not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

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The allowance for other loan and lease losses represents the reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified other loans and leases, as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the other loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. For banks, include currently required allocated transfer risk reserves. Include carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for other loan losses in connection with business combinations determined to be appropriate.

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