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-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
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-IssueDate 2006-05-01
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
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-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
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-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A3
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
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-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Paragraph 28
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 5
-Paragraph 168, 169, 170
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A3
-Appendix A
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30, 31
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USD ($)
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USD ($)
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-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
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-Paragraph 13
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-BRD
-Chapter 4
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 34
-Paragraph 21
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-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 5
-Paragraph 168, 169, 170
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 11
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-Publisher SEC
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 28
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A3
-Appendix A
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30, 31
-Article 5
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USD ($)
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1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
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-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
-Chapter V
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
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-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Corporate_And_Other_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate and Other [Member]us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_CorporateAndOtherMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse57true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse58false0us-gaap_NoninterestIncomeus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse436000000436[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse687000000687[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse577000000577[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total amount of noninterest income which may be derived from: (1) fees and commissions; (2) premiums earned; (3) insurance policy charges; (4) the sale or disposal of assets; and (5) other sources not otherwise specified.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
-Chapter V
-Section 563c.102
-Paragraph 13
-Subsection II
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 13
-Article 9
falsefalse59false0us-gaap_InterestAndDividendIncomeOperatingus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse498000000498[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse600000000600[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse10500000001050[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the total of interest and dividend income, including any amortization and accretion (as applicable) of discounts and premiums, earned from (1) loans and leases whether held-for-sale or held-in-portfolio; (2) investment securities; (3) federal funds sold; (4) securities purchased under agreements to resell; (5) investments in banker's acceptances, commercial paper, or certificates of deposit; (6) dividend income; or (7) other investments not otherwise specified herein.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-BRD
-Chapter 4
-Paragraph 9, 51, 54
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 1, 2 , 3, 4, 5
-Article 9
falsefalse60false0us-gaap_InterestExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse11560000001156[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse12090000001209[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse10010000001001[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 34
-Paragraph 21
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
-Chapter V
-Section 563c.102
-Paragraph 9
-Subsection II
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 9
-Article 9
falsefalse61false0axp_TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseaxpfalsecreditdurationRevenues from discount revenue, net card fees, travel commissions and fees, other commissions and fees, securitization...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00[2],[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-222000000-222[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse7800000078[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse626000000626[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRevenues from discount revenue, net card fees, travel commissions and fees, other commissions and fees, securitization income, net, other related income, and net interest income during the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse62false0us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse50000005[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse2100000021[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse2100000021[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of the periodic provision charged to earnings, based on an assessment of uncollectibility from the counterparty on account of loan, lease or other credit losses, to reduce these accounts to the amount that approximates their net realizable value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 5
-Paragraph 168, 169, 170
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 11
-Article 9
falsefalse63false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00[2],[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-621000000-621[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse2900000029[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-59000000-59[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income (loss) from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Subparagraph 1(i)
-Article 4
falsefalse64false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-329000000-329[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-78000000-78[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-127000000-127[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Article 4
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a, b
falsefalse65false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00[2],[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-292000000-292[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse107000000107[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse6800000068[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the reporting entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 28
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph b(1)
falsefalse66false0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10000000001000[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse10000000001000[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse10000000001000[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse10000000001000[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse600000000600[6]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal of all Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A3
-Appendix A
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30, 31
-Article 5
falsefalse67false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/reportableoperatingsegmentsandgeographicoperationsdetails11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse28falsefalseUSDtruefalse{axp_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsPeriodAndAmountAxis} : Previously Reported Balance [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_Previously_Reported_Balance_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsePreviously Reported Balance [Member]axp_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsPeriodAndAmountAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_PreviouslyReportedBalanceMemberaxp_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsPeriodAndAmountAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse68true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse69false0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse1440600000014406falsetruefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse1440600000014406falsetruefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal of all Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A3
-Appendix A
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30, 31
-Article 5
falsefalse1The results of operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 include restructuring charges in the amount of $98 million. Refer to Note 16 for further discussion of these items.2The results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 include (i) a $135 million benefit representing the correction of an error related to the accounting for cumulative translation adjustments associated with a net investment in foreign subsidiaries and (ii) a $45 million benefit resulting from the change in the fair value of certain forward exchange contracts. The results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 include a $59 million benefit related to the completion of certain account reconciliations. Refer to Note 19 for further discussion of these items.3The results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 include restructuring charges in the amount of $199 million. Refer to Note 16 for further discussion of these items.4 The data in the above table is, in part, based upon internal allocations, which necessarily involve management's judgment. Certain revisions and reclassifications have been made to 2009 and 2008 to conform to 2010 classifications and internal allocation methodology.5Excess spread, net was the net cash flow from interest and fee collections allocated to the investors' interests after deducting the interest paid on investor certificates, credit losses, contractual servicing fees, other expenses, and the changes in the fair value of the interest-only strip. This amount excludes issuer rate fees on the securitized accounts, which were recorded in discount revenue in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.6Corporate and Other includes adjustments and eliminations for intersegment activity. 1268Reportable Operating Segments and Geographic Operations (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
