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Reserves for Losses (Details) (USD $)
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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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| Changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses | |||
| Balance, January 1 | $ 386,000,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable | $ 428,000,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable | $ 438,000,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable |
| Provisions | 792,000,000us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts | 648,000,000us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts | 601,000,000us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts |
| Net write-offs | (683,000,000)axp_ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees | (669,000,000)axp_ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees | (640,000,000)axp_ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees |
| Other | (30,000,000)axp_ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsOther | (21,000,000)axp_ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsOther | 29,000,000axp_ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsOther |
| Balance, December 31 | $ 465,000,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable | $ 386,000,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable | $ 428,000,000us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable |
| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Represents adjustments to Card Member receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions for the period. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Represents net write-offs consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries, for the period. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of expense related to write-down of receivables to the amount expected to be collected. Includes, but is not limited to, accounts receivable and notes receivable. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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