XML 13 R39.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.3.0.814

Basis of Presentation (Details Textuals) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014
Investments in Affordable Housing Projects [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Loss from Affordable Housing Projects, Equity Method Investments | $ 14 | $ 7 | $ 34 | $ 39 |
Affordable Housing Tax Credit And Other Tax Benefits, Amount | 15 | $ 12 | 39 | $ 30 |
Qualified Affordable Housing Project, Investments | 605 |  | 605 |  | $ 522
Qualified Affordable Housing Project Investments, Commitment | $ 134 |  | $ 134 |  |
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
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of investment income (loss) of qualified affordable housing project investments accounted for using the equity method. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_IncomeLossFromAffordableHousingProjectsEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_InvestmentsInAffordableHousingProjectsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of investment in qualified affordable housing projects + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_QualifiedAffordableHousingProjectInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant