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Basis of Presentation (Details Textuals) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014
Investments in Affordable Housing Projects [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Loss from Affordable Housing Projects, Equity Method Investments | $ 11 | $ 24 | $ 20 | $ 32 |
Affordable Housing Tax Credit And Other Tax Benefits, Amount | 12 | $ 9 | 24 | $ 18 |
Qualified Affordable Housing Project, Investments | 502 |  | 502 |  | $ 522
Qualified Affordable Housing Project Investments, Commitment | $ 106 |  | $ 106 |  |
Affordable Housing Tax Credits Commitment, Year to be Paid | between 2015 and 2023 |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Amount of affordable housing tax credits and other tax benefits recognized. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_AffordableHousingTaxCreditAndOtherTaxBenefitsAmount
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Year in which contingent commitments to qualified affordable housing project investments are expected to be paid, in CCYY format + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_AffordableHousingTaxCreditsCommitmentYearToBePaid
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
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X
- Definition Amount of investment income (loss) of qualified affordable housing project investments accounted for using the equity method. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- References No definition available. + Details
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X
- Definition Amount of investment in qualified affordable housing projects + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | debit
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X
- Definition Amount of commitment or contingent commitments to qualified affordable housing project investments. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_QualifiedAffordableHousingProjectInvestmentsCommitment
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
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