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Effective portion of cumulative gains and losses on foreign currency derivatives that are designated as, and are effective as, hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity commencing as of the designation date. Adjustment reported in equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income.

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Amount posted as initial margin for centrally cleared interest rate swaps which is not netted against the derivative balances.

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Represents the amount of a net reduction to interest expense on long-term debt and other, primarily related to the net settlements on the Company's fair value hedges.

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No definition available.

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Shares held in ICBC

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Shares held in an equity investment sold on July 18th, 2014

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Amount of equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor as trading.

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The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

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Amount of the hedged item as of the balance sheet date related to the derivative. For example, the hedged balance on a debt instrument.

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Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

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Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

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Fair value of collateral permitted, by contact or custom, to be sold or re-pledged.

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Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Net reduction in interest expense on long term debt and other	$ 283	$ 346	$ 491
Net pretax losses on derivatives reclassified from AOCI into earnings	0
Shares held in equity investment	0axp_SharesHeldInEquityInvestment	180,700,000axp_SharesHeldInEquityInvestment
Shares held in equity investment Sold	34,300,000axp_SharesHeldInEquityInvestmentSold
Margin on interest rate swap not netted	114axp_MarginOnInterestRateSwapNotNetted	26axp_MarginOnInterestRateSwapNotNetted
Derivative [Line Items]
Equity investment	1	124
Total derivatives assets, net	711us-gaap_DerivativeAssets	329us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Not Sold Or Repledged [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Securities received as collateral	91	0
Risk Exposure Low [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Total derivatives assets, net	620
Significant Counterparties [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Total derivatives assets, net	0	0
Total derivatives liabilities, net	0	0
Fair Value Hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of long-term debt	17,600	14,700
Fair Value Hedges [Member] \| ICBC [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Equity investment	0	122
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of long-term debt	0	0
Net Investment Hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective portion of gain (loss) on hedges	455	253	(288)
Credit Valuation Adjustment [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of long-term debt	$ 0	$ 0