2.2.0.25truefalse06045 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details Textuals)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse41720000004172000000[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse21920000002192000000[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-BRD
-Chapter 4
-Paragraph 80
-Subparagraph Exhibit 4-8, 3
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse4true0axp_AccountsReceivableAndLoansTextualsAbstractaxpfalsenadurationAccounts Receivable and Loans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringAccounts Receivable and Loans.falsefalse5false0us-gaap_LoansPledgedAsCollateralus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse4290000000042900000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of loans that have been pledged as collateral for borrowings. If the secured party has the right by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge the collateral, then the debtor shall reclassify that asset and report that asset in its statement of financial position separately from other assets not so encumbered.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 140
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph a
falsefalse6false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/accountsreceivableandloansdetailstextuals1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : U.S. Card Services [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_U_S_Card_Services_Member_2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Card Services [Member]us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_USCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : U.S. Card Services [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_U_S_Card_Services_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Card Services [Member]us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_USCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7true0us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli: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.falsefalse8false0axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityaxpfalsecreditinstantRepresents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse77000000007700000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse78000000007800000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse9false0axp_GrossLoansAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityaxpfalsedebitinstantRepresents the amount of gross loans available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse3472600000034726000000[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of gross loans available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse11false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/accountsreceivableandloansdetailstextuals1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : Global Commercial Services [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_Global_Commercial_Services_Member_2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseGlobal Commercial Services [Member]us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_GlobalCommercialServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : Global Commercial Services [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_Global_Commercial_Services_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseGlobal Commercial Services [Member]us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_GlobalCommercialServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12true0us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli: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.falsefalse13false0axp_GrossReceivablesAvailableToSettleObligationsOfConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityaxpfalsecreditinstantRepresents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse500000000500000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse500000000500000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse15false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/accountsreceivableandloansdetailstextuals1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : American Express Lending Trust [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_American_Express_Lending_Trust_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAmerican Express Lending Trust [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : American Express Lending Trust [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_American_Express_Lending_Trust_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAmerican Express Lending Trust [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse16true0us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli: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.falsefalse17false0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse37000000003700000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse19000000001900000000falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-BRD
-Chapter 4
-Paragraph 80
-Subparagraph Exhibit 4-8, 3
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse1Includes restricted cash of $3.7 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, which is primarily held for certain asset-backed securitization maturities.2The balances as of December 31, 2009 include an undivided, pro-rata interest in an unconsolidated variable interest entity (historically referred to as "seller's interest") totaling $8,752, of which $8,033 is included in cardmember loans and $719 is included in other assets. Refer to Note 7 for additional details.214Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details Textuals) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
