v2.4.1.9
Reportable Operating Segments and Geographic Operations (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                          
Non-interest revenues                 $ 28,820us-gaap_NoninterestIncome $ 27,927us-gaap_NoninterestIncome $ 26,927us-gaap_NoninterestIncome    
Interest income                 7,179us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating 7,005us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating 6,854us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating    
Interest expense                 1,707us-gaap_InterestExpense 1,958us-gaap_InterestExpense 2,226us-gaap_InterestExpense    
Total revenues, net of interest expense 9,107axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense 8,329axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense 8,657axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense 8,199axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense 8,547axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense 8,301axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense 8,245axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense 7,881axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense 34,292axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense 32,974axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense 31,555axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense    
Total provision                 2,044us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses 1,832us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses 1,712us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses    
Pretax income 2,225us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 2,246us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 2,312us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 2,208us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 1,980us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 2,004us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 1,995us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 1,909us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 8,991us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 7,888us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 6,451us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments    
Income tax provision (benefit)                 3,106us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 2,529us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 1,969us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit    
Total shareholders' equity 20,673us-gaap_StockholdersEquity       19,496us-gaap_StockholdersEquity       20,673us-gaap_StockholdersEquity 19,496us-gaap_StockholdersEquity 18,886us-gaap_StockholdersEquity 18,794us-gaap_StockholdersEquity 18,794us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
U S Card Services [Member]                          
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                          
Non-interest revenues                 12,732us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 12,123us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 11,469us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		    
Interest income                 5,786us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 5,565us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 5,342us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		    
Interest expense                 604us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 693us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 765us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		    
Total revenues, net of interest expense                 17,914axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 16,995axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 16,046axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		    
Total provision                 1,396us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 1,250us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 1,253us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		    
Pretax income                 5,100us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 4,994us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 4,069us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		    
Income tax provision (benefit)                 1,900us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 1,801us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 1,477us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		    
Net Income from continuing operations                 3,200us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 3,193us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 2,592us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		    
Total shareholders' equity 10,400us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		       9,300us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		       10,400us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 9,300us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		 8,700us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_USCardServicesMember		    
International Card Services [Member]                          
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                          
Non-interest revenues                 4,737us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 4,644us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 4,561us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		    
Interest income                 1,085us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 1,118us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 1,147us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		    
Interest expense                 330us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 361us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 402us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		    
Total revenues, net of interest expense                 5,492axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 5,401axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 5,306axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		    
Total provision                 370us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 388us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 279us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		    
Pretax income                 449us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 643us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 659us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		    
Income tax provision (benefit)                 38us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 12us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 25us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		    
Net Income from continuing operations                 411us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 631us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 634us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		    
Total shareholders' equity 3,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		       3,100us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		       3,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 3,100us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		 2,900us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_InternationalCardServicesMember		    
Global Commercial Services [Member]                          
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                          
Non-interest revenues                 5,173us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 5,085us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 4,995us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		    
Interest income                 15us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 13us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 11us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		    
Interest expense                 240us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 245us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 257us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		    
Total revenues, net of interest expense                 4,948axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 4,853axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 4,749axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		    
Total provision                 180us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 129us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 106us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		    
Pretax income                 2,408us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 1,244us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 960us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		    
Income tax provision (benefit)                 865us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 384us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 316us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		    
Net Income from continuing operations                 1,543us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 860us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 644us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		    
Total shareholders' equity 3,800us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		       3,700us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		       3,800us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 3,700us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		 3,600us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalCommercialServicesMember		    
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member]                          
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                          
Non-interest revenues                 5,426us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 5,229us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 5,005us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		    
Interest income                 52us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 32us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 23us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		    
Interest expense                 (269)us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 (252)us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 (243)us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		    
Total revenues, net of interest expense                 5,747axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 5,513axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 5,271axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		    
Total provision                 93us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 67us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 73us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		    
Pretax income                 2,620us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 2,469us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 2,219us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		    
Income tax provision (benefit)                 960us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 894us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 776us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		    
Net Income from continuing operations                 1,660us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 1,575us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 1,443us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		    
Total shareholders' equity 2,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		       2,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		       2,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 2,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		 2,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= axp_GlobalNetworkAndMerchantServicesMember		    
Corporate and Other [Member]                          
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                          
Non-interest revenues                 752us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 846us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 897us-gaap_NoninterestIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		    
Interest income                 241us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 277us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 331us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		    
Interest expense                 802us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 911us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 1,045us-gaap_InterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		    
Total revenues, net of interest expense                 191axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 212axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 183axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		    
Total provision                 5us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 (2)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 1us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		    
Pretax income                 (1,586)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 (1,462)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 (1,456)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		    
Income tax provision (benefit)                 (657)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 (562)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 (625)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		    
Net Income from continuing operations                 (929)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 (900)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 (831)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		    
Total shareholders' equity $ 1,500us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		       $ 1,400us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		       $ 1,500us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 $ 1,400us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember		 $ 1,700us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember