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Parent Company (Details 2) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Sep. 30, 2015
Jun. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities                      
Net income $ 825 $ 1,142 $ 2,015 $ 1,426 $ 899 $ 1,266 $ 1,473 $ 1,525 $ 5,408 $ 5,163 $ 5,885
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:                      
Gain on sale of securities                 (9) (1) (100)
Premium paid on debt exchange                 0 0 0
Net cash provided by operating activities                 8,224 10,611 10,990
Cash Flows from Investing Activities                      
Purchase of investments                 (2,162) (1,713) (886)
Purchase of premises and equipment                 (1,375) (1,341) (1,195)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                 1,868 (8,193) (7,967)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities                      
Principal payments on long term debt                 (9,848) (19,246) (12,768)
Issuance of American Express preferred shares                 0 841 742
Issuance of American Express common shares and other                 177 193 362
Repurchase of American Express common shares                 (4,431) (4,480) (4,389)
Dividends paid                 (1,207) (1,172) (1,041)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities                 (7,532) (1,668) 11
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                 2,446 474 2,802
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year       22,762       22,288 22,762 22,288 19,486
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 25,208       22,762       25,208 22,762 22,288
Parent Company [Member]                      
Cash Flows from Operating Activities                      
Net income                 5,408 5,163 5,885
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:                      
Equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates                 (5,903) (5,633) (6,301)
Dividends received from subsidiaries and affiliates                 4,999 5,331 5,455
Gain on sale of securities                 0 0 (99)
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries and affiliates                 (102) 332 173
Premium paid on debt exchange                 0 0 0
Net cash provided by operating activities                 4,402 5,193 5,113
Cash Flows from Investing Activities                      
Sales of available-for-sale investment securities                 0 0 111
Purchase of investments                 0 (3) 0
Purchase of premises and equipment                 (1) (29) (39)
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates                 4,142 (3,952) (2,574)
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates                 (25) 0 0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                 4,116 (3,984) (2,502)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities                      
Principal payments on long term debt                 (1,350) 0 (655)
Short-term debt of subsidiaries and affiliates                 (2,879) 986 5,118
Issuance of American Express preferred shares                 0 841 742
Issuance of American Express common shares and other                 176 192 362
Repurchase of American Express common shares                 (4,430) (4,480) (4,389)
Dividends paid                 (1,206) (1,172) (1,041)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities                 (9,689) (3,633) 137
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                 (1,171) (2,424) 2,748
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year       $ 6,400       $ 8,824 6,400 8,824 6,076
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 5,229       $ 6,400       $ 5,229 $ 6,400 $ 8,824