2.2.0.25truefalse0618 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share (EPS) (Details)truefalseShare data in Millions, except Per Share datafalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse10/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
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USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$ThreeMonthsEnded_30Sep2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-07-01T00:00:002010-09-30T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse4/1/2010 - 6/30/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$ThreeMonthsEnded_30Jun2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-04-01T00:00:002010-06-30T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 3/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$ThreeMonthsEnded_31Mar2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-03-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$5falsefalseUSDfalsefalse10/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$ThreeMonthsEnded_31Dec2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-10-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDfalsefalse7/1/2009 - 9/30/2009
USD ($) / shares
USD ($)
$ThreeMonthsEnded_30Sep2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-07-01T00:00:002009-09-30T00:00:00USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$7falsefalseUSDfalsefalse4/1/2009 - 6/30/2009
USD ($) / shares
USD ($)
$ThreeMonthsEnded_30Jun2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-04-01T00:00:002009-06-30T00:00:00USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 3/31/2009
USD ($) / shares
USD ($)
$ThreeMonthsEnded_31Mar2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-03-31T00:00:00USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$Jan-01-2010_Dec-31-2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$10falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$11falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($) / shares
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$3true0us-gaap_ComponentOfOperatingOtherCostAndExpenseLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse4false0us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse7400000074000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate cash, stock, and paid-in-kind dividends declared for preferred shareholders during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 01-6
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph l
falsefalse5true0us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse6false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse10620000001062000000[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse10930000001093000000[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse10170000001017000000[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse885000000885000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse710000000710000000[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse642000000642000000[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7truefalsefalse342000000342000000[2],[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8truefalsefalse443000000443000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse40570000004057000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse21370000002137000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse28710000002871000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the reporting entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 28
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph b(1)
falsefalse7false0axp_PreferredSharesDividendsAccretionInRecognitionOfRemainingUnaccretedDividendsaxpfalsedebitdurationThe aggregate amount of preferred share dividends, related accretion and recognition of remaining unaccreted dividends on the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse00[4]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-306000000-306000000[4]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse00[4]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate amount of preferred share dividends, related accretion and recognition of remaining unaccreted dividends on the preferred shares discount.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse8false0axp_EarningsAllocatedToParticipatingShareAwardsAndOtherItemsaxpfalsecreditdurationEarnings allocated to participating share awards and other items, primarily in-substance dividends for non-controlling...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-51000000-51000000[5]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-22000000-22000000[5],[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-15000000-15000000[5]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryEarnings allocated to participating share awards and other items, primarily in-substance dividends for non-controlling interests in certain consolidated subsidiaries.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse9false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse00[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse60000006000000[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse-2000000-2000000[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7truefalsefalse-5000000-5000000[2],[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8truefalsefalse-6000000-6000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-7000000-7000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-172000000-172000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes before deduction or consideration of the amount which may be allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 13
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 15
-Article 5
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 43
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 47
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse10false0axp_NetIncomeAttributableToCommonShareholdersaxpfalsecreditdurationRepresents net income attributable to common shareholders subsequent to preferred shares dividends, accretion, and...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse40060000004006000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse18020000001802000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse26840000002684000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents net income attributable to common shareholders subsequent to preferred shares dividends, accretion, and recognition of remaining unaccreted dividends, earnings allocated to participating share awards and other items and loss from discontinued operations, net of tax.No authoritative reference available.truefalse11true0us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse12false0us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasicus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse11880000001188falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse11680000001168falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse11540000001154falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesNumber of [basic] shares, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares and other shares not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares have been outstanding to the total time in that period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 171
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 40
-Subparagraph a
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 8
falsefalse13false0us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToCallOptionsAndWarrantsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse70000007[7]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse30000003[7]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse20000002[7]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesContracts and securities that allow the holder to buy common stock from the entity. A call option that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase shares of common stock from the entity in accordance with an agreement upon payment of a specified amount. A warrant is a security that gives the holder the right to purchase common stock in accordance with the terms of the instrument, usually upon payment of a specified amount. The dilutive effect of which is reflected in diluted EPS by application of the treasury stock method unless another method is required to be applied.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 40
-Subparagraph a
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 17, 18, 19, 171
falsefalse14false0us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstandingus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse11950000001195falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse11710000001171falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse11560000001156falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe average number of shares issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS, determined based on the timing of issuance of shares in the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 40
-Subparagraph a
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 8
truefalse15true0us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse16false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShareus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse0.880.88[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse0.910.91[2]falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse0.840.84[2]falsetruefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse0.740.74falsetruefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse0.590.59[3]falsetruefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse0.540.54[2]falsetruefalsefalsefalse7truefalsefalse0.090.09[2],[3]falsetruefalsefalsefalse8truefalsefalse0.320.32falsetruefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse3.373.37[8]falsetruefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse1.551.55[8],[9]falsetruefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse2.472.47[8]falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe amount of income (loss) from continuing operations per each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 21
-Article 9
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 20
-Article 5
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 18
-Article 7
falsetrue17false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShareus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse0.000.00[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse00falsetruefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse00falsetruefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse0.010.01[3]falsetruefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse00[2]falsetruefalsefalsefalse7truefalsefalse00[2],[3]falsetruefalsefalsefalse8truefalsefalse-0.01-0.01falsetruefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse00falsetruefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-0.01-0.01falsetruefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-0.14-0.14falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe amount of income (loss) from disposition of discontinued operations, net of related tax effect, per each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 8, 9, 10, 36, 37, 38
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 20
-Article 5
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 18
-Article 7
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 21
-Article 9
falsetrue18false0us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse0.880.88[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse0.910.91[2]falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse0.840.84[2]falsetruefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse0.740.74falsetruefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse0.600.60[3]falsetruefalsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse0.540.54[2]falsetruefalsefalsefalse7truefalsefalse0.090.09[2],[3]falsetruefalsefalsefalse8truefalsefalse0.310.31falsetruefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse3.373.37[8]falsetruefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse1.541.54[8]falsetruefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse2.332.33[8]falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 21
-Article 9
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 20
-Article 5
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 18
-Article 7
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 21
-Article 9
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 11, 12, 36, 37, 38
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 40
-Subparagraph a
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 20
-Article 5
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 18
-Article 7
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section E
-Paragraph Question 3
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 11, 12, 36
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 20
-Article 5
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 18
-Article 7
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 21
-Article 9
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 20
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 18
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph a
falsefalse26false0axp_PreferredDividendsAndRelatedAccretionaxpfalsecreditdurationThe aggregate amount of preferred share dividends and related accretion on the preferred shares discount.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse2000000020000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate amount of preferred share dividends and related accretion on the preferred shares discount.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse27false0us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse750000000750000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse750000000750000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse750000000750000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse750000000750000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryIncluding the current and noncurrent portions, the carrying value of convertible subordinated debt, as of the balance sheet date, initially scheduled to be repaid after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle if longer. This form of debt can be exchanged for a specified amount of another security, typically the entity's common stock, at the option of the issuer or the holder, and places a lender in a lien position behind debt having a higher priority of repayment in liquidation of the entity's assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Article 5
-Subsection 20, 22
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1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
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1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 13, 14
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 171
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 40
-Subparagraph c
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1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 01-6
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph l
falsefalse1The results of operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 include restructuring charges in the amount of $98 million. Refer to Note 16 for further discussion of these items.2The results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 include (i) a $135 million benefit representing the correction of an error related to the accounting for cumulative translation adjustments associated with a net investment in foreign subsidiaries and (ii) a $45 million benefit resulting from the change in the fair value of certain forward exchange contracts. The results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 include a $59 million benefit related to the completion of certain account reconciliations. Refer to Note 19 for further discussion of these items.3The results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 include restructuring charges in the amount of $199 million. Refer to Note 16 for further discussion of these items.4Includes the accelerated preferred dividend accretion of $212 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, due to the repurchase of 3.39 billion of preferred shares on June 17, 2009 issued as part of the CPP. Also includes $74 million of preferred dividends paid and $20 million of preferred dividend accretion during 2009.5The Company's unvested restricted stock awards, which include the right to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents, are considered participating securities. Calculations of EPS under the two-class method (i) exclude any dividends paid or owed on participating securities and any undistributed earnings considered to be attributable to participating securities from the numerator and (ii) exclude the participating securities from the denominator.6Amounts were not available for disclosure.7For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008 the dilutive effect of unexercised stock options excluded 36 million, 71 million and 45 million options, respectively, from the computation of EPS because inclusion of the options would have been anti-dilutive.8Represents income from continuing operations or net income, as applicable, less (i) accelerated preferred dividend accretion of $212 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 due to the repurchase of $3.39 billion of preferred shares issued as part of the Capital Purchase Program (CPP), (ii) preferred share dividends and related accretion of $94 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, and (iii) earnings allocated to participating share awards and other items of $51 million, $22 million and $15 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. 9 Upon adoption of new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, the Lending Trust was consolidated. The December 31, 2009 non-consolidated outstanding balance was $25.0 billion and the year-end stated rate was 0.87 percent.1131Earnings Per Common Share (EPS) (Details) (USD $)NoRoundingMillionsNoRoundingUnKnownfalsetrue