2.2.0.25truefalse06203 - Disclosure - Stock Plans (Details 3)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$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
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$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($) / 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$2true0axp_StockBasedCompensationExpenseAbstractaxpfalsenadurationStock based compensation expense.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringStock based compensation expense.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationCostus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse287000000287[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse230000000230[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse256000000256[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryShare-based compensation cost during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income (as well as the total recognized tax benefit) or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65
falsefalse4true0axp_StockPlansTextualsAbstractaxpfalsenadurationStock Plans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringStock Plans.falsefalse5false0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpenseus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse100000000100falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse8100000081falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse9000000090falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)
falsefalse6false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/stockplansdetails31falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Restricted_Stock_Awards_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseRestricted Stock Awards [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_RestrictedStockAwardsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Restricted_Stock_Awards_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseRestricted Stock Awards [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_RestrictedStockAwardsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Restricted_Stock_Awards_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseRestricted Stock Awards [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_RestrictedStockAwardsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7true0axp_StockBasedCompensationExpenseAbstractaxpfalsenadurationStock based compensation expense.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringStock based compensation expense.falsefalse8false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationCostus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse163000000163[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse135000000135[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse141000000141[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryShare-based compensation cost during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income (as well as the total recognized tax benefit) or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65
falsefalse9true0axp_StockPlansTextualsAbstractaxpfalsenadurationStock Plans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringStock Plans.falsefalse10false0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationUnrecognizedCompensationCostsOnNonvestedAwardsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse257000000257falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAs of the latest balance-sheet date presented, the total compensation cost related to outstanding, nonvested share-based compensation awards not yet recognized (will be charged against earnings as services are performed or other vesting criteria are met).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph h
falsefalse11false0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognitionus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse3.53.5falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for share-based compensation plans, using a decimal to express in 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 h
falsefalse12false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/stockplansdetails31falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock Option [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Stock_Option_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseStock Option [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_StockOptionMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock Option [Member]
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Stock_Option_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseStock Option [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_StockOptionMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock Option [Member]
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Stock_Option_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseStock Option [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_StockOptionMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13true0axp_StockBasedCompensationExpenseAbstractaxpfalsenadurationStock based compensation expense.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringStock based compensation expense.falsefalse14false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationCostus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse5800000058[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse5500000055[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse7300000073[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryShare-based compensation cost during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income (as well as the total recognized tax benefit) or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65
falsefalse15true0axp_StockPlansTextualsAbstractaxpfalsenadurationStock Plans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringStock Plans.falsefalse16false0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationUnrecognizedCompensationCostsOnNonvestedAwardsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse5900000059falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAs of the latest balance-sheet date presented, the total compensation cost related to outstanding, nonvested share-based compensation awards not yet recognized (will be charged against earnings as services are performed or other vesting criteria are met).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph h
falsefalse17false0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognitionus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse2.32.3falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for share-based compensation plans, using a decimal to express in 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 h
falsefalse18false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/stockplansdetails31falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Liability Based Awards [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Liability_Based_Awards_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseLiability Based Awards [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_LiabilityBasedAwardsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Liability Based Awards [Member]
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Liability_Based_Awards_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseLiability Based Awards [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_LiabilityBasedAwardsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Liability Based Awards [Member]
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Liability_Based_Awards_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseLiability Based Awards [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_LiabilityBasedAwardsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse19true0axp_StockBasedCompensationExpenseAbstractaxpfalsenadurationStock based compensation expense.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringStock based compensation expense.falsefalse20false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationCostus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse6400000064falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3800000038falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse4000000040falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryShare-based compensation cost during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income (as well as the total recognized tax benefit) or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65
falsefalse22false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/stockplansdetails31falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse13falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Performance And Market Based Stock Options [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Performance_And_Market_Based_Stock_Options_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePerformance And Market Based Stock Options [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_PerformanceAndMarketBasedStockOptionsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$14falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Performance And Market Based Stock Options [Member]
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Performance_And_Market_Based_Stock_Options_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePerformance And Market Based Stock Options [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_PerformanceAndMarketBasedStockOptionsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$15falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Performance And Market Based Stock Options [Member]
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Performance_And_Market_Based_Stock_Options_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePerformance And Market Based Stock Options [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_PerformanceAndMarketBasedStockOptionsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse23true0axp_StockBasedCompensationExpenseAbstractaxpfalsenadurationStock based compensation expense.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringStock based compensation expense.falsefalse24false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationCostus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse20000002falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20000002falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse20000002falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryShare-based compensation cost during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income (as well as the total recognized tax benefit) or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65
falsefalse1The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for stock-based compensation arrangements in December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $100 million, $81 million and $90 million, respectively.2As of December 31, 2010, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSAs and options was $257 million and $59 million, respectively. The unrecognized cost for RSAs and options will be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period. The weighted-average remaining vesting period for RSAs and options is 3.5 years and 2.3 years, respectively.322Stock Plans (Details 3) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue
