v2.4.1.9
Retirement Plans (Details Textuals) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Defined contribution retirement plans [Member]      
Retirement Plans (Textuals) [Abstract]      
Total expense for all defined contribution retirement plans $ 272,000,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= axp_DefinedContributionPlanCostMember		 $ 281,000,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= axp_DefinedContributionPlanCostMember		 $ 254,000,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= axp_DefinedContributionPlanCostMember
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans [Member]      
Retirement Plans (Textuals) [Abstract]      
Net funded status related to the defined benefit pension plans 767,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlan
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 661,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlan
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		  
Total expense for all defined contribution retirement plans $ 24,000,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 $ 59,000,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 $ 93,000,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember