Other Liabilities (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Carrying amount of deferred charge card and other fees
Deferred card and other fees	$ 1,767	$ 1,652
Deferred direct acquisition costs	(204)	(173)
Reserves for membership cancellations	(152)	(136)
Total	$ 1,411	$ 1,343

Represents amounts related to deferred direct acquisition costs including deferred direct acquisition costs that are associated with acquiring new Card Members.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_DeferredDirectAcquisitionCosts
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant