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Fair Values (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2014
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Dec. 31, 2013
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|---|---|---|
| Investment securities: | ||
| Equity securities | $ 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities | $ 124us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities |
| Debt securities and other | 4,430axp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesAndOther | 4,892axp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesAndOther |
| Derivative assets | 991axp_FairValueOfDerivativeAssets | 701axp_FairValueOfDerivativeAssets |
| Total assets | 5,422us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring | 5,717us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring |
| Level 1 [Member] | ||
| Investment securities: | ||
| Equity securities | 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
124us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
| Debt securities and other | 350axp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesAndOther / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
320axp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesAndOther / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
| Derivative assets | 0axp_FairValueOfDerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
0axp_FairValueOfDerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
| Total assets | 351us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
444us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |
| Level 2 [Member] | ||
| Investment securities: | ||
| Equity securities | 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
| Debt securities and other | 4,080axp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesAndOther / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
4,572axp_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesAndOther / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
| Derivative assets | 991axp_FairValueOfDerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
701axp_FairValueOfDerivativeAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
| Total assets | 5,071us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
5,273us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |
| Level 3 [Member] | ||
| Investment securities: | ||
| Total assets | $ 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
$ 0us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |
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- Definition
For an unclassified balance sheet, the total of debt and other securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. No definition available.
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- Definition
Fair value, before 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 elected not to be offset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement. No definition available.
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- Definition
This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. No definition available.
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- Definition
Amount of equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor as trading. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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