2.2.0.25truefalse062112 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Details 12)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other postretirement benefit plan cost [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_Other_Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_Defined_Benefit_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseOther postretirement benefit plan cost [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other postretirement benefit plan cost [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_Other_Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_Defined_Benefit_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseOther postretirement benefit plan cost [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2true0axp_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAfterTaxAbstractaxpfalsenadurationDefined benefit plan accumulated other comprehensive income after tax.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDefined benefit plan accumulated other comprehensive income after tax.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesBeforeTaxus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse5000000050falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse6000000060falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe pretax net amount of gains and losses that are not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost, and that are recognized as increases or decreases in other comprehensive income as they arise. Gains and losses are due to changes in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption, or the consequence of a decision to temporarily deviate from the substantive plan.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph i
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse4false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTaxus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse5000000050falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse6000000060falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe pretax total of net (gain) loss, prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph i
truefalse5false0axp_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTaxImpactaxpfalsecreditinstantThe total tax impact of net (gain) loss, prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse-19000000-19falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-24000000-24falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total tax impact of net (gain) loss, prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse6false0axp_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAfterTaxaxpfalsedebitinstantThe after-tax total of net (gain) loss, prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse3100000031falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3600000036falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe after-tax total of net (gain) loss, prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.No authoritative reference available.truefalse25Retirement Plans (Details 12) (Other postretirement benefit plan cost [Member], USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
