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Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract]
Global Network Services partner revenues	$ 164axp_GlobalNetworkServicesPartnerRevenues	$ 158axp_GlobalNetworkServicesPartnerRevenues
Net realized gains on investment securities	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet	39us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
Other	304axp_OtherRevenues	304axp_OtherRevenues
Total other revenues	$ 468us-gaap_NoninterestIncomeOtherOperatingIncome	$ 501us-gaap_NoninterestIncomeOtherOperatingIncome

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- Definition

Represents revenues received from Global Network Service partners on use of the American Express brand name.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents revenues from miscellaneous items within other revenues not previously classified.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

This item represents the difference between the gross realized gains and losses realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Additionally, this item would include any losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments in debt and equity securities.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563

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- Definition

Represents other forms of revenue earned, excluding interest, which is not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 13

-Article 9



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.4)

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

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