XML 55 R41.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.5.0.2

Loans and Accounts Receivable (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Jun. 30, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | $ 45,223 | $ 44,133 |  |
Less: Reserve for losses | 423 | 462 | $ 420 | $ 465
Card Member receivables, net | 44,800 | 43,671 |  |
Other receivables, net | 2,697 | 3,024 |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Other receivables, reserves | 50 | 43 |  |
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | 5,828 | 6,649 |  |
Non United States [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | 12,700 | 11,900 |  |
U S Consumer Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | 10,587 | 11,807 |  |
U S Consumer Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 5,800 | 6,600 |  |
International Consumer and Network Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | 5,582 | 5,599 |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables | $ 29,054 | $ 26,727 |  |

X
- Definition Accounts Receivable and Loans. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_AccountsReceivableAndLoansTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Accounts Receivable Segment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_AccountsReceivableSegmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Reserves for losses relating to other receivables represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the Company's outstanding portfolio of other receivables. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_OtherReceivablesReserves
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition For an unclassified balance sheet, the amount due from customers or clients for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to their estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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=49124121&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 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. Excludes amounts related to receivables held-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10(3)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Carrying amounts due as of the balance sheet date from parties or arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherReceivables
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=axp_NonUnitedStatesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=axp_USCardServicesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=axp_InternationalCardServicesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |