XML 58 R47.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.2

Reserves for Credit Losses (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions |  | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jan. 01, 2020 | Jun. 30, 2020 | Jun. 30, 2019 | Jun. 30, 2020 | Jun. 30, 2019
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Beginning balance | $ 619 |  |  | $ 619 |
Provisions |  | $ 355 | $ 224 | 952 | $ 477
Ending balance |  | 519 |  | 519 |
Decrease in Card Member receivable reserves | $ (619) | (519) |  | (619) |
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List] | us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Member |  |  |  |
Recoveries |  |  |  | 180 | 184
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - Reserve for Credit Losses |  |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Ending balance | $ (493) |  |  |  |
Decrease in Card Member receivable reserves | 493 |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - Reserve for Credit Losses, adjusted balance |  |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Beginning balance | 126 |  |  | 126 | 573
Provisions |  |  |  | 952 | 477
Net write-offs |  |  |  | (557) | (426)
Other |  |  |  | (2) | (8)
Ending balance |  | 519 | 616 | 519 | 616
Decrease in Card Member receivable reserves | $ (126) | $ (519) | $ (616) | (519) | (616)
Troubled Debt Restructuring [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Net write-offs |  |  |  | (16) | (6)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Other |  |  |  | $ (1) | $ 3

X
- Definition Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Adjustments + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_Allowancefordoubtfulaccountsreceivableadjustments
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Indicates amendment to accounting standards. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (f)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (g)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (f)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121322162&loc=SL121327923-165333 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121646688&loc=SL121648383-210437 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (f)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121322162&loc=SL121327923-165333 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (g)(2)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121322162&loc=SL121327923-165333 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121646688&loc=SL121648383-210437 Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121322162&loc=SL121327923-165333 Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (e)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121646688&loc=SL121648383-210437 Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121322162&loc=SL121327923-165333 Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 250 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22499-107794 Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 250 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22499-107794 Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 250 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22499-107794 Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (g)(2)(iv) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 20: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (g)(2)(iii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 21: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 22: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121322162&loc=SL121327923-165333 Reference 23: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121322162&loc=SL121327923-165333 Reference 24: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 250 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22499-107794 Reference 25: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (e)(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121646688&loc=SL121648383-210437 Reference 26: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121646688&loc=SL121648383-210437 Reference 27: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (g)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121322162&loc=SL121327923-165333 Reference 28: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (f)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 29: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121646688&loc=SL121648383-210437 Reference 30: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 65 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (g)(2)(ii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121370832&loc=SL117420844-207641 Reference 31: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (d)(2) Reference 32: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 65 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (d)(3) + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | srt-types:extensibleListItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of allowance for credit loss on accounts receivable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121599337&loc=SL82919249-210447 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121611835&loc=d3e5074-111524 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121599337&loc=SL82919249-210447 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121599878&loc=SL82895884-210446 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of increase in allowance for credit loss on accounts receivable, from recovery. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121599337&loc=SL82919249-210447 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableRecoveries
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableRollforward
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of direct write-downs of accounts receivable charged against the allowance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121599337&loc=SL82919249-210447 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableWriteOffs
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of expense (reversal of expense) for expected credit loss on accounts receivable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121599337&loc=SL82919249-210447 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(5)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395209&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis=srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis=srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustedBalanceMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis=axp_TroubleddebtrestructuringMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis=axp_ForeigncurrencytranslationadjustmentsmemberMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |