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Debt (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019
--- | --- | ---
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 42,952 | $ 57,835
Unamortized Underwriting Fees | (64) |
Long-term Debt [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 42,952 | $ 57,835
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 2.49% | 2.66%
Unamortized Underwriting Fees | $ (64) | $ (112)
Parent Company [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | 22,810 | 24,368
Fixed Rate Senior Notes [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | American Express Company [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 18,251 | $ 19,326
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 3.25% | 3.17%
Year-End Interest Rate with Swaps | 2.09% | 2.86%
Fixed Rate Senior Notes [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 6,746 | $ 11,839
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 2.38% | 2.40%
Year-End Interest Rate with Swaps | 1.67% | 2.53%
Fixed Rate Senior Notes [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | Lending Trust [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 8,325 | $ 15,074
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 2.74% | 2.42%
Year-End Interest Rate with Swaps | 2.55% | 2.43%
Floating Rate Senior Notes [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | American Express Company [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 4,000 | $ 4,500
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.84% | 2.49%
Year-End Interest Rate with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00%
Floating Rate Senior Notes [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 300 | $ 1,650
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.93% | 2.64%
Year-End Interest Rate with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00%
Floating Rate Senior Notes [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | Lending Trust [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 4,125 | $ 4,125
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.51% | 2.09%
Year-End Interest Rate with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00%
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | Lending Trust [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 79 | $ 79
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.73% | 2.31%
Year-End Interest Rate with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00%
Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | American Express Company [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 599 | $ 598
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 3.63% | 3.63%
Year-End Interest Rate with Swaps | 1.43% | 2.99%
Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | Lending Trust [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 246 | $ 420
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 2.80% | 2.53%
Year-End Interest Rate with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00%
Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Financed Leases [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 17 | $ 25
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 5.54% | 5.65%
Year-End Interest Rate with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00%
Floating Rate Borrowings [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Outstanding balance | $ 328 | $ 311
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.42% | 0.40%
Year-End Interest Rate with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00%

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