|
Debt (Details 1) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
|
12 Months Ended |
|
|
Dec. 31, 2014
|
Dec. 31, 2013
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Long-term Debt |
$ 57,955us-gaap_LongTermDebt |
$ 55,330us-gaap_LongTermDebt |
| Unamortized Underwriting Fees |
(116)us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense |
(105)us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense |
| Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
2.34%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
2.56%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Parent Company [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Long-term Debt |
9,708us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
10,354us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
| Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2016-2042 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
7,535us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
8,784us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
4.20%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
4.60%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
| Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
5.15%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
5.43%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2015-2017 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
2,089us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember |
2,102us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
3.32%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember |
3.32%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember |
| Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
4.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
4.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2015-2019 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
16,260us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
14,875us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
1.22%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
2.03%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
| Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
2.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
3.13%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2017 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
999us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember |
999us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember |
| Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2015-2017 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
6,100us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
2,600us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
| Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
1.11%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
0.72%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2018 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
850us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
850us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
0.85%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
0.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2015-2018 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
675us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember |
675us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
0.68%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
0.67%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCenturionBankMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2015-2019 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
4,400us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
2,855us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
0.82%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
1.14%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2017 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
300us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember |
300us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
0.46%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
0.47%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressFederalSavingsBankMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2016-2018 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
3,700us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember |
4,200us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
0.41%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
0.49%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2015-2019 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
8,876us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
10,685us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
| Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
0.72%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
0.81%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSeniorNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2016-2018 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
87us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember |
87us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember |
| Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
0.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
0.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2015-2019 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
488us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
847us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
| Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
0.73%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
0.81%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
6.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember |
|
| Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | Parent Company [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2024-2036 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
1,350us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
749us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
4.42%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember |
| Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
5.39%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
6.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Borrowings under Bank Credit Facilities [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2016-2017 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
3,672us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
4,012us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember |
| Borrowings under Bank Credit Facilities [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
4.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
4.18%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressCreditCorporationMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2015-2017 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
300us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
300us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember |
| Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
1.08%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
1.08%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2016-2033 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
143us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember |
239us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember |
| Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
3.09%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
3.95%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
| Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Capitalized lease transactions |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Long-term Debt |
31us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxis
= axp_SaleLeaseBackTransactionNameMember |
109us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FixedRateInstrumentsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxis
= axp_SaleLeaseBackTransactionNameMember |
| Floating Rate Borrowings [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Maturity Dates |
2015-2019 |
|
| Long-term Debt |
$ 247us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember |
$ 276us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember |
| Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember |
0.00%axp_YearEndEffectiveInterestRateWithSwaps
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember |
| Floating Rate Borrowings [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] |
|
|
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
|
|
| Year-End Stated Rate on Debt |
0.59%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |
0.62%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= axp_FloatingRateBorrowingsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= axp_OtherSubsidiariesMember
/ axp_TypeOfDebtAxis
= us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember |