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truefalse21false0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-8084000000-8084000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-4647000000-4647000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-10440000000-10440000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net cash inflow (outflow) from financing activity for the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 26
truefalse22false0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse110000000110000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-5055000000-5055000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse49140000004914000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net change between the beginning and ending balance of cash and cash equivalents.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 26
falsefalse23false0us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSoldus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse1659900000016599000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8truefalsefalse2165400000021654000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse1659900000016599000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse2165400000021654000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse1674000000016740000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of cash and cash equivalents plus Federal Funds Sold. Cash and cash equivalents consist of short term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and are so near their maturity that they present negligible risk of changes in value due to changes in interest rates -- usually with an original maturity less than 90 days.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 8, 9, 10
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
-Chapter V
-Section 563c.102
-Subsection I
falsefalse24false0us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSoldus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabel1truefalsefalse1670900000016709000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse1659900000016599000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse1670900000016709000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse1659900000016599000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse2165400000021654000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of cash and cash equivalents plus Federal Funds Sold. Cash and cash equivalents consist of short term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and are so near their maturity that they present negligible risk of changes in value due to changes in interest rates -- usually with an original maturity less than 90 days.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 8, 9, 10
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
-Chapter V
-Section 563c.102
-Subsection I
falsefalse25false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/parentcompanydetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Parent Company [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
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1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009_Parent_Company_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseParent Company [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ParentCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$14falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Parent Company [Member]
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008_Parent_Company_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseParent Company [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ParentCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse26true0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringThe net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities include all transactions and events that are not defined as investing or financing activities. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Cash flows from operating activities are generally the cash effects of transactions and other events that enter into the determination of net income.falsefalse27false0us-gaap_NetIncomeLossus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00[1],[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00[2],[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00[2],[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse40570000004057000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse21300000002130000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse26990000002699000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 19
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph d
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A7
-Appendix A
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph a
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 20
-Article 9
Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 10, 15
Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 87-21
Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28, 29, 30
falsefalse28true0axp_EquityInNetIncomeLossOfSubsidiariesAndAffiliatesAbstractaxpfalsenadurationEquity in net income loss of subsidiaries and affiliates.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringEquity in net income loss of subsidiaries and affiliates.falsefalse29false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-4530000000-4530000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-2450000000-2450000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-3113000000-3113000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
falsefalse30false0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00[2],[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse70000007000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse172000000172000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes before deduction or consideration of the amount which may be allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 13
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 15
-Article 5
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 29
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 43
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 47
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse31false0us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse19990000001999000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse11030000001103000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse23400000002340000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.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 SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 13
-Article 5
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 18
-Paragraph 19
falsefalse32false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-211000000-211000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the difference between the gross realized gains and losses realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Additionally, this item would include any losses recognized for other than temporary impairments of the subject investments in debt and equity securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 16
falsefalse33false0us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingCapitalNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-39000000-39000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse246000000246000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse9300000093000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFor entities with classified balance sheets, the net change during the reporting period in the value of other assets or liabilities used in operating activities, that are not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. For entities with unclassified balance sheets, the net change during the reporting period in the value of all other assets or liabilities used in operating activities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
falsefalse34false0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse14870000001487000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse825000000825000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse21910000002191000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value that are not defined as investing or financing activities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 26
truefalse35true0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse36false0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse90000009000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse361000000361000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash inflow associated with the sale or maturity (principal being due) of securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities which are classified as available-for-sale securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph a
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 18
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 15
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph b
falsefalse37false0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipmentus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-32000000-32000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-20000000-20000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-14000000-14000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 15
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph c
falsefalse38false0axp_IncreaseDecreaseLoansToAffiliatesaxpfalsedebitdurationRepresents the net change during the reporting period in the value of all unpaid loan amounts due from related parties.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-1064000000-1064000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse26650000002665000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-2008000000-2008000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the net change during the reporting period in the value of all unpaid loan amounts due from related parties.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse39false0axp_IncreaseDecreaseLoansToAffiliatesInDiscontinuedOperationsaxpfalsecreditdurationRepresents the net change during the reporting period in the value of all unpaid loan amounts due from related parties in...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-238000000-238000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the net change during the reporting period in the value of all unpaid loan amounts due from related parties in discontinued operations.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse40false0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInvestmentsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-3000000-3000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow associated with the purchase of all investments (debt, security, other) during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 15, 17
falsefalse41false0axp_InvestmentsInSubsidiariesAndAffiliatesaxpfalsecreditdurationRepresents cash outflow of the Parent Company for the purchase of equity investments within subsidiaries and affiliates.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-58000000-58000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents cash outflow of the Parent Company for the purchase of equity investments within subsidiaries and affiliates.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse42false0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-1090000000-1090000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse30060000003006000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-2318000000-2318000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net cash inflow (outflow) from investing activity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 26
truefalse43true0us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse44false0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse30000000003000000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse30000000003000000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 18
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
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falsefalse49false0us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStockus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-3389000000-3389000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow to reacquire preferred stock during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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falsefalse51false0us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStockus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-590000000-590000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-218000000-218000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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falsefalse52false0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedtotal1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-867000000-867000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-924000000-924000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-836000000-836000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow from the entity's earnings to the shareholders.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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truefalse54false0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-412000000-412000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse56760000005676000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net change between the beginning and ending balance of cash and cash equivalents.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
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-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
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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 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.3The 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.1155Parent Company (Details 2) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
