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Debt (Details Textuals) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Face amount of eligible notes from Charge Trust | $ 3,000.0 |  |
Debt (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Total bank lines of credit of the company | 3,500.0 | $ 3,000.0 |
Unutilized total credit lines | 3,500.0 | 3,000.0 |
Fees to maintain credit lines | $ 16.3 | 11.5 |
Ratio of combined earnings and fixed earnings to fixed charges required to maintain availability of credit line | 1.25 |  |
Total Interest Paid | $ 2,000.0 | 1,700.0 | $ 1,600.0
Average Commercial Paper Outstanding | 1,076.0 | $ 491.0 |
American Express Charge Trust II [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Face amount of eligible notes draw downs | $ 3,000.0 |  |
Specified date face amount of eligible notes issued | Jul. 15, 2020 |  |
American Express Lending Trust [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Specified date face amount of eligible notes issued | Sep. 15, 2020 |  |
Fixed Rate Subordinated Note [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 2.21% |  |

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- Definition Represents the amount of draw downs on the face amount of eligible notes, which are secured through a financing facility, and can be issued through a specified date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the face amount of eligible note that the Company has the right to sell up to at any time through July 15, 2016. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the specified date in which the face amount of eligible notes, which are secured through a financing facility, can be issued. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + 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 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Description of covenants that limit or prohibit certain actions or activities without the lender's prior consent within a specified period of time or until certain specified targets are achieved for example, reduction of the debt or an increase in net worth to a specified amount). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 470 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823 + Details
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- Definition Amount of cash paid for interest. Includes, but is not limited to, payment to settle zero-coupon bond attributable to accreted interest of debt discount and debt instrument with insignificant coupon interest rate in relation to effective interest rate of borrowing attributable to accreted interest of debt discount. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4297-108586 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3536-108585 + Details
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- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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