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Fair Values (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	$ 263axp_FairValueOfDerivativeLiability	$ 164axp_FairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Total liabilities	263us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring	164us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring
Level 1 [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	0axp_FairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member	0axp_FairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Total liabilities	0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member	0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 2 [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	263axp_FairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member	164axp_FairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Total liabilities	263us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member	164us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 3 [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	0axp_FairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member	0axp_FairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Total liabilities	$ 0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member	$ 0us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member

X

- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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X

- Definition

Aggregation of the liabilities reported on the balance sheet measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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