XML 94 R76.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Reserves for Losses (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts Receivable Reserve Roll Forward [line Items] |  |  |
Balance, January 1 | $ 467 | $ 462 | $ 465
Provision For Doubtful Accounts | 795 | 696 | 737
Other | (5) | (17) | (27)
Balance, December 31 | 521 | 467 | 462
Principal Write-Offs [Member] |  |  |
Accounts Receivable Reserve Roll Forward [line Items] |  |  |
Card Member receivables net write-offs | $ (736) | $ (674) | $ (713)

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

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=84173941&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 of other addition (reduction) in allowance reserve for credit loss. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=d3e5212-111524 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdjustmentsNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount, after recoveries, of loans and leases that have been written-off. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteoffsNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of expense related to write-down of receivables to the amount expected to be collected. Includes, but is not limited to, accounts receivable and notes receivable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 606 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82913815&loc=SL49130534-203044 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 606 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82913847&loc=SL49130543-203045 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | axp_PrincipalinterestfeeswriteOffsAxis=axp_PrincipalwriteoffsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |