2.2.0.25truefalse0121 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0us-gaap_VariableInterestLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli: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.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_OtherAssetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1536800000015368000000[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1540000000015400000000falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of assets not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Also serves as the sum of assets not individually reported in the financial statements, or not separately disclosed in notes.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 17
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 10
-Article 7
falsefalse4false0us-gaap_LongTermDebtus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse6641600000066416000000[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse7730000000077300000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryIncluding current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
falsefalse5true0us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValueAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse6false0us-gaap_SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResellus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse372000000372000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse212000000212000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe carrying value of funds outstanding loaned in the form of security resale agreements if the agreement requires the purchaser to resell the identical security purchased or a security that meets the definition of "substantially the same" in the case of a dollar roll. Also includes purchases of participations in pools of securities that are subject to a resale agreement.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 41
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 140
-Paragraph 100
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Article 9
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph m
-Subparagraph 1(i)
-Article 4
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph m
-Subparagraph 2
-Article 4
falsefalse7true0us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse8false0axp_CardmemberReceivablesReservesaxpfalsecreditinstantReserves for losses relating to cardmember receivables represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse386000000386000000[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse546000000546000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReserves for losses relating to cardmember receivables represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the Company's outstanding portfolio of receivables.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse9false0axp_OtherReceivablesReservesaxpfalsecreditinstantReserves for losses relating to other receivables represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse175000000175000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse109000000109000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReserves for losses relating to other receivables represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the Company's outstanding portfolio of other receivables.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse10true0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse11false0axp_CardmemberLoansReservesaxpfalsecreditinstantReserves for losses relating to cardmember loans represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the Company's...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse36460000003646000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse57990000005799000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReserves for losses relating to cardmember loans represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the Company's outstanding portfolio of loans.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12false0axp_OtherLoansReservesaxpfalsedebitinstantReserves for losses relating to other loans represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the Company's...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse2400000024000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2700000027000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReserves for losses relating to other loans represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the Company's outstanding portfolio of other loans.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13false0us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipmentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse44830000004483000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse41300000004130000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph c
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 14
-Article 5
falsefalse14true0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse15false0us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShareus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse0.200.20falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse0.200.20falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalFace amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 4
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 30
-Article 5
falsetrue16false0us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorizedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse36000000003600000000[4]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse36000000003600000000[4]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 30
-Article 5
falsefalse17false0us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssuedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse11970000001197000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse11920000001192000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesTotal number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 30
-Article 5
falsefalse18false0us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstandingus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse11970000001197000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse11920000001192000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesTotal number of shares of common stock held by shareholders. May be all or portion of the number of common shares authorized. These shares represent the ownership interest of the common shareholders. Excludes common shares repurchased by the entity and held as Treasury shares. Shares outstanding equals shares issued minus shares held in treasury. Does not include common shares that have been repurchased.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 30
-Article 5
falsefalse19true0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse20false0axp_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTaxaxpfalsecreditinstantTax effect of the gross appreciation or the gross loss, net of reclassification adjustment, in the value of available for...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse-19000000-19000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-291000000-291000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effect of the gross appreciation or the gross loss, net of reclassification adjustment, in the value of available for sale securities.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse21false0axp_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTaxEffectaxpfalsecreditinstantTotal tax effect of the accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse40000004000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1500000015000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal tax effect of the accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse22false0axp_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTaxaxpfalsecreditinstantTax effect of the accumulated adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse405000000405000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3100000031000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effect of the accumulated adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse23false0axp_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPlansTaxaxpfalsecreditinstantTax effects of the accumulated comprehensive income (loss) related to benefit plans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse226000000226000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse244000000244000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effects of the accumulated comprehensive income (loss) related to benefit plans.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse24false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/balancesheetsparenthetical1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxis} : Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_Variable_Interest_Enterprise_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseus-gaap_VariableInterestEnterpriseMemberus-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_VariableInterestEnterpriseMemberus-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxis} : Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_Variable_Interest_Enterprise_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseus-gaap_VariableInterestEnterpriseMemberus-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_VariableInterestEnterpriseMemberus-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse25true0us-gaap_VariableInterestLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli: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.falsefalse26false0axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityaxpfalsecreditinstantRepresents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse81920000008192000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse83140000008314000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse27false0us-gaap_OtherAssetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse37590000003759000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse17990000001799000000[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of assets not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Also serves as the sum of assets not individually reported in the financial statements, or not separately disclosed in notes.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 17
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 10
-Article 7
falsefalse28false0us-gaap_LongTermDebtus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2334100000023341000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse49700000004970000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryIncluding current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
falsefalse34false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/balancesheetsparenthetical1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxis} : Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : U.S. Card Services [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_Variable_Interest_Enterprise_Member_U_S_Card_Services_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseus-gaap_VariableInterestEnterpriseMemberus-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_VariableInterestEnterpriseMemberus-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseaxp_USCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_USCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse35true0us-gaap_VariableInterestLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli: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.falsefalse36false0axp_GrossLoansAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityaxpfalsedebitinstantRepresents the amount of gross loans available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of gross loans available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse42false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/balancesheetsparenthetical1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : U.S. Card Services [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_U_S_Card_Services_Member_2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseaxp_USCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_USCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : U.S. Card Services [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_U_S_Card_Services_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseaxp_USCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_USCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse43true0us-gaap_VariableInterestLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli: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.falsefalse44false0axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityaxpfalsecreditinstantRepresents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse77000000007700000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse78000000007800000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse45false0axp_GrossLoansAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityaxpfalsedebitinstantRepresents the amount of gross loans available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse3472600000034726000000[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of gross loans available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse1The balances as of December 31, 2009 include an undivided, pro-rata interest in an unconsolidated variable interest entity (historically referred to as "seller's interest") totaling $8,752, of which $8,033 is included in cardmember loans and $719 is included in other assets. Refer to Note 7 for additional details.2The outstanding balances include (i) unamortized discounts (ii) the impact of movements in exchange rates on foreign currency denominated debt ($0.6 billion and $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively), and (iii) the impact of fair value hedge accounting on certain fixed rate notes that have been swapped to floating rate through the use of interest rate swaps. Under fair value hedge accounting, the outstanding balances on these fixed rate notes are adjusted to reflect the impact of changes in fair value due to changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the impact on long-term debt due to fair value hedge accounting was an increase of $0.8 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively. Refer to Note 12 for more details on the Company?s treatment of fair value hedges.3 Upon adoption of new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, the Lending Trust was consolidated. The December 31, 2009 non-consolidated outstanding balance was $25.0 billion and the year-end stated rate was 0.87 percent.4Of the common shares authorized but unissued as of December 31, 2010, approximately 104 million shares were reserved for issuance under employee stock and employee benefit plans. 234Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)NoRoundingNoRoundingNoRoundingUnKnownfalsetrue