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Reserves for Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses
Balance, January 1			$ 465	$ 386
Provisions	$ 165	$ 183	339	398
Cardmember receivables net write-offs			(370)	(359)
Card Member receivables reserves for losses - other			(14)	(12)
Balance, June 30	$ 420	$ 413	$ 420	$ 413

X

- Definition

Accounts Receivable Roll Forward.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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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. This represents a Debit to Provision instead of a Debit to P&L.

+ 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. This represents a Debit to Provision instead of a Debit to P&L.

+ 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 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 2: 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



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



-Publisher SEC



-Name Regulation S-X (SX)



-Number 210



-Section 02



-Paragraph 4



-Article 5

+ 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 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 2: 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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef



-Publisher SEC



-Name Regulation S-X (SX)



-Number 210



-Section 03



-Paragraph 5



-Article 5

+ Details

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