2.2.0.25truefalse062101 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Details 1)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Defined benefit pension plan cost [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Pension_Plans_Defined_Benefit_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDefined benefit pension plan cost [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Defined benefit pension plan cost [Member]
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Pension_Plans_Defined_Benefit_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDefined benefit pension plan cost [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2true0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlanAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlanus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse-406000000-406falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-441000000-441falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation. Will normally be the same as the net Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet, Total.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse4false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse6300000063falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse296000000296falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of increase or decrease in the fair value of plan assets during the reporting period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationPeriodIncreaseDecreaseus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedtotal1truefalsefalse-40000000-40falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-261000000-261falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNet increase or decrease in the plan benefit obligation during the reporting period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph a
truefalse6false0axp_NetChangeNetFundedStatusaxpfalsenadurationRepresents the net change in the net funded status for the period.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse2300000023falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3500000035falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the net change in the net funded status for the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlanus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabel1truefalsefalse-383000000-383falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-406000000-406falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation. Will normally be the same as the net Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet, Total.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse26Retirement Plans (Details 1) (Defined benefit pension plan cost [Member], USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
