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Asset Securitizations (Details Textuals) $ in Billions | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
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American Express Charge Trust [Member] |
Securitized Trusts [Line Items] |
Direct and Indirect ownership of variable interests | $ 6.5
American Express Lending Trust [Member] |
Securitized Trusts [Line Items] |
Direct and Indirect ownership of variable interests | $ 10.7

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- Definition Direct and Indirect ownership of variable interests with the exception of the debt securities issued to third party investors. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_DirectAndIndirectOwnershipOfVariableInterests
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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

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- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |