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2.2.0.25truefalse0521 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Tables)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 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$2true0axp_RetirementPlansTablesAbstractaxpfalsenadurationRetirement plans tables.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringRetirement plans tables.falsefalseRetirement Plans Tables Abstract3false0axp_NetPeriodicBenefitCostTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationRepresents table providing a summary of the total cost during the period related to defined benefit pension plans, defined...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="52%"> </td> <td width="3%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="3%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="3%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="12" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2008 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Defined benefit pension plan cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>40</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 21 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 13 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Defined contribution plan cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>217</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 118 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 211 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Other postretirement benefit plan cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>25</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 29 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 27 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net periodic benefit cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>282</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 168 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 251 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="13" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="13" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringRepresents table providing a summary of the total cost during the period related to defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans, and other postretirement benefit plans.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNet periodic benefit costs5false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/retirementplanstables1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other postretirement benefit plan cost [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Other_Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_Defined_Benefit_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther postretirement benefit plan cost [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseOther postretirement benefit plan cost [Member]7true0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli: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.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]8false0axp_ScheduleOfChangesInProjectedBenefitObligationsTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the change in the benefit obligation of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans from the beginning to...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="66%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>324</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 295 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Service cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>6</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 5 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Interest cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>17</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 18 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Benefits paid </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(20</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (16 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Actuarial (gain) loss </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(8</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 16 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Curtailment loss </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 6 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net change </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(5</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 29 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Projected benefit obligation, end of year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>319</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 324 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the change in the benefit obligation of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans from the beginning to the end of the period, showing separately, if applicable, the effects of the following: service cost, interest cost, contributions by plan participants, actuarial gains and losses, foreign currency exchange rate changes, benefits paid, plan amendments, business combinations, divestitures, curtailments, settlements, and special and contractual termination benefits.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseChange in the projected benefit obligation of pension and other employee benefit plans9false0axp_ScheduleOfNetPeriodicBenefitCostNotYetRecognizedTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the amounts related to pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in accumulated other comprehensive...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="66%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net actuarial loss </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>50</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 60 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Total, pretax effect </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>50</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 60 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Tax impact </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(19</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (24 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Total, net of taxes </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>31</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 36 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the amounts related to pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, such as the net gain or loss, net prior service cost or credit, and net transition asset or obligation.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNet Periodic Benefit Cost that are not recognized yet10false0axp_ScheduleOfAmountsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the net gain or loss and net prior service cost or credit recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="84%"> </td> <td width="3%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="4" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net actuarial loss: </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 15pt"> Reclassified to earnings from equity </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(2</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 15pt"> Gains in current year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(8</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 15pt"> Net actuarial loss, pretax </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(10</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="5" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="5" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the net gain or loss and net prior service cost or credit recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the period for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans, and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss) for the period, as those amounts, including amortization of the net transition asset or obligation, are recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseAmount recognized in other comprehensive loss11false0axp_ScheduleOfNetBenefitCostsTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the components of net benefit costs for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans including service...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="49%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="12" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2008 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Service cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>6</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 5 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 6 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Interest cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>17</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 18 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 19 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Amortization of prior service cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (2 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (2 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Recognized net actuarial loss </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>2</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 2 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 4 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Curtailment loss </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 6 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net periodic benefit cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>25</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 29 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 27 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="13" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="13" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the components of net benefit costs for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans including 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 recognized due to settlements or curtailments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSchedule of Net periodic pension benefit cost12false0axp_ScheduleOfAssumptionsUsedTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the assumptions used to determine for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans the benefit obligation...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="66%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>    </b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">      </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Discount rates </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>5.2</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 5.4 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Health care cost increase rate: </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 15pt"> Following year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>8.5</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 8.0 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 15pt"> Decreasing to the year 2018 </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>5.0</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 5.0 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the assumptions used to determine for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans the benefit obligation and net benefit cost, including assumed discount rates, rate increase in compensation increase, and expected long-term rates of return on plan assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseWeighted-average assumptions used to determine defined benefit pension obligation13false0axp_ScheduleOfExpectedBenefitPaymentsTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of benefits expected to be paid by pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in each of the next five...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="34%"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="8%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="8%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="8%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="8%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="8%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="8%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="24" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 2016<br /> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2011 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2012 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2013 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2014 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2015 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> — 2020 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Expected payments </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>23</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>24</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>24</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>25</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>25</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>128</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="25" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="25" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of benefits expected to be paid by pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in each of the next five fiscal years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseExpected payments14false0axp_ScheduleOfEffectOfOnePercentagePointChangeInAssumedHealthCareCostTrendRatesTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the effect of a one-percentage-point increase and the effect of a one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="36%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="10%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="10%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="10%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="10%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="16" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="6" nowrap="nowrap" align="center" valign="bottom"> One<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="6" nowrap="nowrap" align="center" valign="bottom"> One<br /> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="6" nowrap="nowrap" align="center" valign="bottom"> percentage-<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="6" nowrap="nowrap" align="center" valign="bottom"> percentage-<br /> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="6" nowrap="nowrap" align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> point increase </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="6" nowrap="nowrap" align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> point decrease </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="bottom"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Increase (decrease) on benefits earned and<br />   interest cost for <br />   U.S. plans </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>1</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 1 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(1</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (1 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="bottom"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Increase (decrease) on postretirement benefit <br />   obligation for U.S.<br />   plans </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>15</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 15 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(13</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (14 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="17" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="17" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the effect of a one-percentage-point increase and the effect of a one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement health care benefit costs and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for health care benefits.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseOne percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates15false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/retirementplanstables1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Defined benefit pension plan cost [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Pension_Plans_Defined_Benefit_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDefined benefit pension plan cost [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDefined benefit pension plan cost [Member]17true0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli: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.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]18false0axp_ScheduleOfNetFundedStatusTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of net funded status of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="66%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net funded status, beginning of year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(406</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (441 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Increase in fair value of plan assets </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>63</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 296 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Increase in projected benefit obligation </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(40</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (261 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net change </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>23</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 35 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net funded status, end of year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(383</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (406 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of net funded status of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNet funded status of pension and other employee benefit plans19false0axp_ScheduleOfChangesInFairValueOfPlanAssetsTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of the fair value of plan assets of pension plans and/or...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="66%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>1,989</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 1,693 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Actual return on plan assets </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>177</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 290 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Employer contributions </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>50</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 74 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Benefits paid </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(55</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (59 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Settlements </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(81</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (81 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Foreign currency exchange rate changes </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(28</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 72 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net change </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>63</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 296 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Fair value of plan assets, end of year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>2,052</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 1,989 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of the fair value of plan assets of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans showing separately, if applicable, the effects during the period attributable to each of the following: actual return on plan assets, foreign currency exchange rate changes, contributions by the employer, contributions by plan participants, benefits paid, business combinations, divestitures, and settlements.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDefined Benefit plan change in fair value of plan assets20false0axp_ScheduleOfChangesInProjectedBenefitObligationsTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the change in the benefit obligation of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans from the beginning to...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="66%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>2,395</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 2,134 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Service cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>19</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 14 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Interest cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>126</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 127 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Benefits paid </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(55</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (59 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Actuarial loss </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>66</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 189 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Settlements </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(81</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (81 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Curtailments </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (14 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Foreign currency exchange rate changes </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(35</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 85 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net change </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>40</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 261 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Projected benefit obligation, end of year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>2,435</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 2,395 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the change in the benefit obligation of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans from the beginning to the end of the period, showing separately, if applicable, the effects of the following: service cost, interest cost, contributions by plan participants, actuarial gains and losses, foreign currency exchange rate changes, benefits paid, plan amendments, business combinations, divestitures, curtailments, settlements, and special and contractual termination benefits.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseChange in the projected benefit obligation of pension and other employee benefit plans21false0axp_ScheduleOfNetPeriodicBenefitCostNotYetRecognizedTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the amounts related to pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in accumulated other comprehensive...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="66%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net actuarial loss </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>648</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 655 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net prior service cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(2</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (3 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Total, pretax effect </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>646</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 652 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Tax impact </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(213</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (219 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Total, net of taxes </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>433</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 433 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the amounts related to pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, such as the net gain or loss, net prior service cost or credit, and net transition asset or obligation.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNet Periodic Benefit Cost that are not recognized yet22false0axp_ScheduleOfAmountsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the net gain or loss and net prior service cost or credit recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="84%"> </td> <td width="3%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="4" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net actuarial loss: </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 15pt"> Reclassified to earnings from equity<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(a)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(41</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 15pt"> Losses in current year<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(b)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>34</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 15pt"> Net actuarial loss, pretax </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(7</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net prior service cost: </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 15pt"> Reclassified to earnings from equity </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>1</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Total, pretax </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(6</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="5" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="5" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> <div style="margin-top: 3pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left"> <tr> <td width="2%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="97%"></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(a) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">Amortization of actuarial losses and recognition of losses related to lump sum settlements. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(b) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">Deferral of actuarial losses. </font></td> </tr> </table> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the net gain or loss and net prior service cost or credit recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the period for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans, and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss) for the period, as those amounts, including amortization of the net transition asset or obligation, are recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseAmount recognized in other comprehensive loss23false0axp_ScheduleOfAccumulatedAndProjectedBenefitObligationsTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of benefit obligations including accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="66%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Accumulated benefit obligation </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>2,353</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 2,327 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Projected benefit obligation </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>2,435</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 2,395 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of benefit obligations including accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSchedule of Accumulated and Projected Benefit Obligations24false0axp_ScheduleOfAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationRepresents table detailing the accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="66%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Accumulated benefit obligation </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>1,407</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 1,369 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Fair value of plan assets </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>1,091</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 1,020 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringRepresents table detailing the accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligation that exceeds the fair value of plan assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSchedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in excess of fair value of plan assets25false0axp_ScheduleOfBenefitObligationsInExcessOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationRepresents table detailing the projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with projected...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="66%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Projected benefit obligation </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>2,435</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 2,395 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Fair value of plan assets </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>2,052</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 1,989 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringRepresents table detailing the projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with projected benefit obligation that exceeds the fair value of plan assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSchedule Of Benefit Obligations In Excess Of Fair Value Of Plan Assets Table Text Block26false0axp_ScheduleOfNetBenefitCostsTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the components of net benefit costs for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans including service...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="49%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="12" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2008 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Service cost<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(a)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>19</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 14 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 23 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Interest cost<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(b)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>126</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 127 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 136 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Expected return on plan assets<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(c)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(145</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (146 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (169 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Amortization of prior service cost<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(d)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(1</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Recognized net actuarial loss<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(e)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>23</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 10 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 17 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Settlements losses<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(f)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>18</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 19 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 5 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Curtailment (gains) losses<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(g)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (3 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 1 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Net periodic pension benefit cost </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>40</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 21 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 13 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="13" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="13" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> <div style="margin-top: 3pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left"> <tr> <td width="2%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="97%"></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(a) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">Current value of benefits earned by employees during the period. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(b) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">Estimated interest incurred on the outstanding projected benefit obligation during the period. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(c) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">Expected return on the market related value of plan assets. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(d) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">Costs that result from plan amendments, which are amortized over the expected future service period of the employees impacted. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(e) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">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. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(f) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">Recognition of the actuarial losses resulting from lump sum settlements of the benefit obligation. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(g) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">Gains resulting from a reduction in the benefit obligation due to a decrease in the expected years of future service of current plan participants. </font></td> </tr> </table> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the components of net benefit costs for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans including 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 recognized due to settlements or curtailments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSchedule of Net periodic pension benefit cost27false0axp_ScheduleOfAssumptionsUsedTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the assumptions used to determine for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans the benefit obligation...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 9pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="70%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="9%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="9%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Discount rates </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>5.3</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 5.3 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Rates of increase in compensation levels </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>4.0</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 3.6 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension benefit costs as of December 31 were as follows: </div> <div style="margin-top: 9pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="58%"> </td> <td width="3%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="9%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="3%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="9%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="3%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="9%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="12" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2008 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Discount rates </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>5.3</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 5.9 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 5.8 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Rates of increase in compensation levels </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>3.6</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 3.9 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 4.2 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Expected long-term rates of return on assets </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>6.9</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 6.9 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 7.6 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="13" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="13" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the assumptions used to determine for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans the benefit obligation and net benefit cost, including assumed discount rates, rate increase in compensation increase, and expected long-term rates of return on plan assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseWeighted-average assumptions used to determine defined benefit pension obligation28false0axp_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationPercentageOfAssetsTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationRepresents table summarizing the target allocation and categorization of all defined benefit pension plan assets measured at...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> <b>As of December 31, 2010:</b> </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="45%"> </td> <td width="2%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="6%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="2%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="2%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="8%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="2%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="2%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="20" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Quoted Prices in<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Active Markets<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Significant<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Significant<br /> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Target<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> for Identical<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Observable<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Unobservable<br /> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Allocation<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Assets<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Inputs<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Inputs<br /> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions, except percentages)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2011 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> Total </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> (Level 1) </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> (Level 2) </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> (Level 3) </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> U.S. equity securities </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>15</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>331</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>331</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> International equity securities<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(a)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>30</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>704</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>704</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> U.S. fixed income securities </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>30</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>522</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>522</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> International fixed income securities<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(a)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>15</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>318</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>318</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Balanced funds </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>5</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>65</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>65</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Cash </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>11</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>11</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Other<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(b)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>5</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>101</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>101</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Total </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>100</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>%</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>2,052</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>1,046</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>905</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>101</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="21" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="21" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> <div style="margin-top: 3pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left"> <tr> <td width="2%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="97%"></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(a) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">A significant portion of international investments are in U.K. companies and U.K. government and agency securities. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(b) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">Consists of investments in private equity and real estate funds measured at reported net asset value. </font></td> </tr> </table> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> As of December 31, 2009: </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="45%"> </td> <td width="2%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="6%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="2%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="2%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="8%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="2%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="2%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="20" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Quoted Prices in<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Active Markets<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Significant<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Significant<br /> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Target<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> for Identical<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Observable<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Unobservable<br /> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Allocation<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Assets<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Inputs<br /> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> Inputs<br /> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions, except percentages)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2010 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> Total </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> (Level 1) </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> (Level 2) </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> (Level 3) </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> U.S. equity securities </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 15 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 334 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 334 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> International equity securities<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(a)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 30 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 626 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 626 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> U.S. fixed income securities </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 30 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 553 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 553 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> International fixed income securities<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(a)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 15 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 301 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 301 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Balanced funds </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 5 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 62 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 62 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Cash </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 15 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 15 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Other<sup style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: top">(b)</sup> </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 5 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 98 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> — </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 98 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Total </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 100 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> % </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 1,989 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 975 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 916 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 98 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="21" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="21" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> <div style="margin-top: 3pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left"> <tr> <td width="2%"></td> <td width="1%"></td> <td width="97%"></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(a) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">A significant portion of international investments are in U.K. companies and U.K. government and agency securities. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">(b) </font></td> <td></td> <td valign="bottom"> <font style="font-size: 8pt">Consists of investments in private equity, real estate and hedge funds measured at reported net asset value. </font></td> </tr> </table> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringRepresents table summarizing the target allocation and categorization of all defined benefit pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis by GAAP's valuation hierarchy for the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseTarget allocation and categorization of all defined benefit pension plan assets measured at fair value on recurring basis29false0axp_ScheduleOfEffectOfSignificantUnobservableInputsChangesInPlanAssetsTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on changes in plan assets...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="66%"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="4%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="11%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="8" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <b>2010</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2009 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Beginning fair value, January 1 </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>98</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 187 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 15pt"> Actual net gains (losses) on plan assets: </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 30pt"> Held at the end of the year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>11</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (38 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 30pt"> Sold during the year </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>—</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (10 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 22pt"> Total net gains (losses) </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>11</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (48 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 22pt"> Net purchases (sales and settlements) </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>(8</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>)</b> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (41 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -8pt; margin-left: 30pt"> Net increase (decrease) </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>3</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> (89 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> ) </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Ending fair value, December 31 </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>101</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> $ </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 98 </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="9" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on changes in plan assets of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans for the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseEffect of significant unobservable inputs changes in plan assets30false0axp_ScheduleOfExpectedBenefitPaymentsTableTextBlockaxpfalsenadurationDisclosure of benefits expected to be paid by pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in each of the next five...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times"> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">  </div> <table border="0" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent; text-align: left">  <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom"> <td width="40%"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="1%" align="right"> </td> <td width="7%" align="right"> </td> <td width="1%" align="left"> </td> </tr>   <tr style="font-size: 1pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td colspan="24" align="right" valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> 2016<br /> </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="font-size: 7pt" valign="bottom" align="center"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> <i>(Millions)</i> </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2011 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2012 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2013 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2014 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> 2015 </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td colspan="2" nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"> — 2020 </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr style="line-height: 3pt; font-size: 1pt"> <td>  </td> </tr>  <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="top"> <div style="text-indent: -7pt; margin-left: 7pt"> Expected payments </div> </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>145</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>148</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>149</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>155</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>171</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> <td>   </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom"> <b>$</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="right" valign="bottom"> <b>890</b> </td> <td nowrap="nowrap" align="left" valign="bottom">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="25" valign="top">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt"> <td colspan="25" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">   </td> </tr> </table> <div align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; text-indent: 0%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; color: #000000; background: transparent"> </div> </div> falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDisclosure of benefits expected to be paid by pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in each of the next five fiscal years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseExpected payments126Retirement Plans (Tables)UnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue