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Common and Preferred Shares and Warrants (Details)
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12 Months Ended | ||
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Dec. 31, 2014
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Dec. 31, 2013
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Dec. 31, 2012
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| Authorized shares and a reconciliation of common shares issued and outstanding | |||
| Common shares, authorized | 3,600,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized | 3,600,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized | 3,600,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized |
| Shares issued and outstanding at beginning of year | 1,064,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued | 1,105,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued | 1,164,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued |
| Repurchases of common shares | (49,000,000)axp_IssuanceRepurchasesOfCommonShares | (55,000,000)axp_IssuanceRepurchasesOfCommonShares | (69,000,000)axp_IssuanceRepurchasesOfCommonShares |
| Other, primarily stock option exercises and RSAs granted | 8,000,000axp_CommonStockSharesOther | 14,000,000axp_CommonStockSharesOther | 10,000,000axp_CommonStockSharesOther |
| Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31 | 1,023,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued | 1,064,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued | 1,105,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued |
| Stockholders' Equity Note (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
| Shares reserved for issuance under employee stock and employee benefit plans | 56,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance | ||
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- Definition
Represents the issuance of common shares during the period due to stock option exercises and restricted stock awards granted. No definition available.
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- Definition
Represents the issuance or (repurchases) of common shares during the period. No definition available.
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- Details
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- Details
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- Definition
Aggregate number of common shares reserved for future issuance. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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