The cash outflow for premium paid on the long-term debt due to debt exchange.

No definition available.

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Represents the net change during the reporting period in the value of all unpaid loan amounts due from related parties.

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This item represents the difference between the gross realized gains and losses realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Additionally, this item would include any losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments in debt and equity securities.

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Amount of increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are the amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Includes effect from exchange rate changes.

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The sum of cash and cash equivalents plus Federal Funds Sold. Cash and cash equivalents consist of short term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and are so near their maturity that they present negligible risk of changes in value due to changes in interest rates -- usually with an original maturity less than 90 days.

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This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

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This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in other assets used in operating activities less other operating liabilities used in operating activities not separately disclosed in the statement of cash flows. May include changes in other current assets and liabilities, other noncurrent assets and liabilities, or a combination of other current and noncurrent assets and liabilities.

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Amount of cash inflow (outflow) of financing activities, excluding discontinued operations. Financing activity cash flows include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on, and a return of, their investment; borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed, or settling the obligation; and obtaining and paying for other resources obtained from creditors on long-term credit.

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Amount of cash inflow (outflow) of investing activities, excluding discontinued operations. Investing activity cash flows include making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property, plant, and equipment and other productive assets.

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Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from operating activities, excluding discontinued operations. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value not defined as investing or financing activities.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period.

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The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity.

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The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Parent Company (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Parent Company (Details 2) (USD $)	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
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 1,447,000,000us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,477,000,000us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,529,000,000us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,432,000,000us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,308,000,000us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,366,000,000us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,405,000,000us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,280,000,000us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 5,885,000,000us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 5,359,000,000us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 4,482,000,000us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on sale of securities									(100,000,000)	(136,000,000)	(126,000,000)
Premium paid on debt exchange									0axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchange	0axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchange	(541,000,000)axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchange
Net cash provided by operating activities									10,990,000,000	8,547,000,000	7,082,000,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchase of premises and equipment									1,195,000,000	1,006,000,000	1,053,000,000
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities									(7,967,000,000)	(7,269,000,000)	(6,545,000,000)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
(Principal payments on) / issuance of long term debt									(12,768,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	(14,763,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	(14,076,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Issuance of American Express preferred shares									742,000,000	0	0
Issuance of American Express common shares and other									362,000,000	721,000,000	443,000,000
Repurchase of American Express common shares									(4,389,000,000)	(3,943,000,000)	(3,952,000,000)
Dividends paid									(1,041,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends	(939,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends	(902,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									11,000,000	(3,891,000,000)	(3,268,000,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									2,802,000,000	(2,764,000,000)	(2,643,000,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				19,486,000,000				22,250,000,000	19,486,000,000	22,250,000,000	24,893,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	22,288,000,000				19,486,000,000				22,288,000,000	19,486,000,000	22,250,000,000
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income									5,885,000,000	5,359,000,000	4,482,000,000
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates									(6,301,000,000)	(5,838,000,000)	(4,966,000,000)
Dividends received from subsidiaries and affiliates									5,455,000,000	4,768,000,000	3,355,000,000
Gain on sale of securities									(99,000,000)	(135,000,000)	(121,000,000)
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries and affiliates									173,000,000	324,000,000	196,000,000
Premium paid on debt exchange									0	0	(541,000,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities									5,113,000,000	4,478,000,000	2,405,000,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Sales of available-for-sale investment securities									111,000,000	157,000,000	118,000,000
Purchase of premises and equipment									(39,000,000)	(39,000,000)	(38,000,000)
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates									(2,574,000,000)	1,498,000,000	(1,601,000,000)
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates									0	0	(11,000,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities									(2,502,000,000)	1,616,000,000	(1,532,000,000)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
(Principal payments on) / issuance of long term debt									(655,000,000)	843,000,000	0
Short-term debt of subsidiaries and affiliates									5,118,000,000	(1,497,000,000)	1,421,000,000
Issuance of American Express preferred shares									742,000,000	0	0
Issuance of American Express common shares and other									362,000,000	721,000,000	443,000,000
Repurchase of American Express common shares									(4,389,000,000)	(3,943,000,000)	(3,952,000,000)
Dividends paid									(1,041,000,000)	(939,000,000)	(902,000,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									137,000,000	(4,815,000,000)	(2,990,000,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									2,748,000,000	1,279,000,000	(2,117,000,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				6,076,000,000				4,797,000,000	6,076,000,000	4,797,000,000	6,914,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 8,824,000,000				$ 6,076,000,000				$ 8,824,000,000	$ 6,076,000,000	$ 4,797,000,000