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Reserves for Losses (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses
Balance, January 1	$ 465us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	$ 386us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
Card Member receivables - provisions	174us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	215us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
Card Member receivables - net write-offs	(199)axp_ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees	(170)axp_ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees
Card Member receivables - other	(11)axp_ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsOther	(17)axp_ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsOther
Balance, March 31	$ 429us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	$ 414us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable

X

- Details

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

X

- Definition

Represents adjustments to cardmember receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions and foreign currency translation adjustments for the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axp_ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsOther
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Represents net write-offs consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries, for the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axp_ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5074-111524



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of expense related to write-down of receivables to the amount expected to be collected. Includes, but is not limited to, accounts receivable and notes receivable.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (a)

-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 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.5)

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



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 5

-Article 5

+ Details

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