2.2.0.25falsefalse06201 - Disclosure - Stock Plans (Details 1)truefalseIn Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 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$3true0axp_WeightedAverageRemainingAndContractualLifeAndAggregateIntrinsicValueAbstractaxpfalsenadurationWeighted Average Remaining And Contractual Life And Aggregate Intrinsic Value.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringWeighted Average Remaining And Contractual Life And Aggregate Intrinsic Value.falsefalse4false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse4.64.6falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration for all awards outstanding under the plan, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph a
falsefalse5false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse390000000390falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices pertaining to options outstanding under the plan as of the balance-sheet date.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph d(1)
falsefalse6false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse3.73.7falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration for all vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable (or convertible) under the plan, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValueus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse251000000251falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the option plan as of the balance-sheet date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse8false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse4.64.6falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted-average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration date for fully vested and expected to vest options outstanding, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph d(1)
falsefalse9false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse386000000386falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAs of the balance sheet date, the total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of fully vested and expected to vest options outstanding.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph d(1)
falsefalse17Stock Plans (Details 1) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue
