XML 97 R82.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9

Reportable Operating Segments and Geographic Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	$ 6,503us-gaap_NoninterestIncome	$ 6,836us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
Interest income	1,857us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating	1,776us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
Interest expense	410us-gaap_InterestExpense	439us-gaap_InterestExpense
Total revenues, net of interest expense	7,950axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	8,173axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
Net income	1,525us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	1,432us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
U S Card Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	3,148us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember	2,991us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember
Interest income	1,529us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember	1,423us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember
Interest expense	152us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember	150us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember
Total revenues, net of interest expense	4,525axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember	4,264axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember
Net income	934us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember	876us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_USCardServicesMember
International Card Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	1,061us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember	1,157us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember
Interest income	244us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember	277us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember
Interest expense	64us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember	82us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember
Total revenues, net of interest expense	1,241axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember	1,352axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember
Net income	134us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember	159us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_InternationalCardServicesMember
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	871us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember	1,249us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember
Interest income	4us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember	4us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember
Interest expense	48us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember	59us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember
Total revenues, net of interest expense	827axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember	1,194axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember
Net income	180us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember	184us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	1,270us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember	1,293us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember
Interest income	20us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember	10us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember
Interest expense	(54)us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember	(62)us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember
Total revenues, net of interest expense	1,344axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember	1,365axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember
Net income	444us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember	443us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	153us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember	146us-gaap_NoninterestIncome / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember
Interest income	60us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember	62us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember
Interest expense	200us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember	210us-gaap_InterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember
Total revenues, net of interest expense	13axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember	(2)axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember
Net income	$ (167)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember	$ (230)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember

X

- Definition

Revenues from discount revenue, net card fees, travel commissions and fees, other commissions and fees, securitization income, net, other related income, and net interest income during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Represents the total of interest and dividend income, including any amortization and accretion (as applicable) of discounts and premiums, earned from (1) loans and leases whether held-for-sale or held-in-portfolio; (2) investment securities; (3) federal funds sold; (4) securities purchased under agreements to resell; (5) investments in banker's acceptances, commercial paper, or certificates of deposit; (6) dividend income; or (7) other investments not otherwise specified herein.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.1-5)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 1, 2 , 3, 4, 5

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 9

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Net Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688



Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913



Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5



Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 20

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The total amount of noninterest income which may be derived from: (1) fees and commissions; (2) premiums earned; (3) insurance policy charges; (4) the sale or disposal of assets; and (5) other sources not otherwise specified.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 13

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=axp_InternationalCardServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=axp_USCardServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: