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Other Assets (Details 2) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2014
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Dec. 31, 2013
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|---|---|---|
| Components of other intangible assets | ||
| Gross Carrying Amount | $ 1,710us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross | $ 1,566us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross |
| Accumulated Amortization | (856)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization | (749)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization |
| Net Carrying Amount | 854us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet | 817us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet |
| Other Contracts [Member] | ||
| Components of other intangible assets | ||
| Gross Carrying Amount | 255us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = axp_OtherContractsMember |
269us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = axp_OtherContractsMember |
| Accumulated Amortization | (102)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = axp_OtherContractsMember |
(89)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = axp_OtherContractsMember |
| Net Carrying Amount | 153us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = axp_OtherContractsMember |
180us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = axp_OtherContractsMember |
| Customer Relationships [Member] | ||
| Components of other intangible assets | ||
| Gross Carrying Amount | 1,455us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember |
1,297us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember |
| Accumulated Amortization | (754)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember |
(660)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember |
| Net Carrying Amount | $ 701us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember |
$ 637us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember |
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- Definition
Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Details
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