2.2.0.25truefalse062119 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Details Textuals)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$2true0axp_RetirementPlansTextualsAbstractaxpfalsenadurationRetirement Plans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringRetirement Plans.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse282000000282falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse168000000168falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse251000000251falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain or loss, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain or loss due to settlements or curtailments).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
falsefalse4false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/retirementplansdetailstextuals1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Defined benefit pension plan cost [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$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$5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Defined benefit pension plan cost [Member]
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$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$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Defined benefit pension plan cost [Member]
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Pension_Plans_Defined_Benefit_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDefined benefit pension plan cost [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5true0axp_RetirementPlansTextualsAbstractaxpfalsenadurationRetirement Plans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringRetirement Plans.falsefalse6false0axp_DefinedBenefitPensionPlansInterestRateCreditMinimumaxpfalsenadurationRepresents the minimum fixed-rate interest rate employees' balances are credited with daily. Interest rates are updated each...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse0.050.05falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureRepresents the minimum fixed-rate interest rate employees' balances are credited with daily. Interest rates are updated each January 1 and is based on the average of the daily five-year U.S. Treasury Note.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7false0axp_DefinedBenefitPensionPlansInterestRateCreditMaximumaxpfalsenadurationRepresents the maximum fixed-rate interest rate employees' balances are credited with daily. Interest rates are updated each...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse0.100.10falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureRepresents the maximum fixed-rate interest rate employees' balances are credited with daily. Interest rates are updated each January 1 and is based on the average of the daily five-year U.S. Treasury Note.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse8false0axp_FundedStatusOfPlanOnErisaBasisPercentageaxpfalsenadurationFunded Status Of Plan On Erisa Basis Percentagefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse0.950.95falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureFunded Status Of Plan On Erisa Basis PercentageNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse9false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlanus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse-383000000-383falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-406000000-406falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-441000000-441falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli: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
falsefalse10false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfNetGainsLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse2800000028falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income related to gains and losses that are not recognized immediately and are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position presented.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph s
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph d
falsefalse11false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfNetPriorServiceCostCreditus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income related to prior service cost or credit expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position presented.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph s
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph d
falsefalse12false0axp_PercentageAmortizationAccumulatedLossesaxpfalsenadurationRepresents the percentage of amortization of the accumulated losses which exceed 10 percent of the greater of the projected...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse0.100.10falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureRepresents the percentage of amortization of the accumulated losses which exceed 10 percent of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market related value of plan assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYearus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse4600000046falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph g
falsefalse14false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4000000040falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2100000021falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1300000013falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain or loss, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain or loss due to settlements or curtailments).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
falsefalse15false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRateus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.0530.053falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.0590.059falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0580.058falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph j
falsefalse16false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNarrativeDescriptionOfBasisUsedToDetermineOverallExpectedLongTermRateOfReturnOnAssetsAssumptionus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse005 to 15 yearsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringA narrative description of the basis used to determine the overall expected long-term rate-of-return on assets assumption, such as the general approach used, the extent to which the overall rate-of-return on assets assumption was based on historical returns, the extent to which adjustments were made to those historical returns to reflect expectations of future returns, and how those adjustments were determined. The description should consider the major categories of assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph d(iii)
falsefalse17false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/retirementplansdetailstextuals1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Defined contribution plan cost [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Defined_Contribution_Pension_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDefined contribution plan cost [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_DefinedContributionPensionMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberSharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Defined contribution plan cost [Member]
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Defined_Contribution_Pension_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDefined contribution plan cost [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_DefinedContributionPensionMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Defined contribution plan cost [Member]
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Defined_Contribution_Pension_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDefined contribution plan cost [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_DefinedContributionPensionMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse18true0axp_RetirementPlansTextualsAbstractaxpfalsenadurationRetirement Plans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringRetirement Plans.falsefalse19false0axp_RetirementSavingsPlanNumberOfSharesHeldOfCompanyStockForEmployeesaxpfalsenadurationRepresents the total number of shares the Retirement Savings Plan has in American Express' Common Stock for employees as of...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse1200000012falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1300000013falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerRepresents the total number of shares the Retirement Savings Plan has in American Express' Common Stock for employees as of the end of the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse20false0axp_MaximumPercentageOfTotalPayEmployeeContributionsMatchaxpfalsenadurationRepresents the maximum percentage of total pay the Company matches employee contributions to the plan of total pay for the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse0.050.05falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureRepresents the maximum percentage of total pay the Company matches employee contributions to the plan of total pay for the Company's Retirement Savings Plan, subject to the Internal Revenue Code.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse21false0axp_AdditionalAnnualConversionContributionsOfTotalPayaxpfalsenadurationRepresents the percentage of additional annual conversion contributions to total pay that are provided into the Company's...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse0.080.08falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureRepresents the percentage of additional annual conversion contributions to total pay that are provided into the Company's Retirement Savings Plan for eligible employees who were hired before April 1, 2007.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse22false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse217000000217falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse118000000118falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse211000000211falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain or loss, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain or loss due to settlements or curtailments).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
falsefalse23false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/retirementplansdetailstextuals1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other postretirement benefit plan cost [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Other_Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_Defined_Benefit_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther 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$11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other postretirement benefit plan cost [Member]
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Other_Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_Defined_Benefit_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther 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$12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other postretirement benefit plan cost [Member]
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Other_Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_Defined_Benefit_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther postretirement benefit plan cost [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse24true0axp_RetirementPlansTextualsAbstractaxpfalsenadurationRetirement Plans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringRetirement Plans.falsefalse25false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfNetPriorServiceCostCreditus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income related to prior service cost or credit expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position presented.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph s
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph d
falsefalse26false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYearus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse2300000023falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph g
falsefalse27false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2500000025falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2900000029falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2700000027falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain or loss, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain or loss due to settlements or curtailments).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
falsefalse28false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRateus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.0540.054falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.0600.060falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0610.061falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph j
falsefalse327Retirement Plans (Details Textuals) (USD $)MillionsMillionsUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue
