2.2.0.25truefalse0608 - Disclosure - Other Assets (Details)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010
USD ($)
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USD ($)
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USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2008http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0axp_OtherAssetsDetailAbstractaxpfalsenadurationOther assets.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringOther assets.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse41720000004172000000[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse21920000002192000000[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli: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
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 42, 43
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 43
falsefalse6false0us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse18020000001802000000[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse21140000002114000000[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of expenditures made in advance of when the economic benefit of the cost will be realized, and which will be expensed in future periods with the passage of time or when a triggering event occurs.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 10
-Article 9
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-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FIN39-1
-Paragraph 10A, 10B
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 4, 17
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(1)
falsefalse9false0axp_SubordinatedAccruedInterestReceivableaxpfalsedebitinstantCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of interest earned but not received on the Company's securitization activity....falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse719000000719000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of interest earned but not received on the Company's securitization activity. Also called accrued interest or accrued interest receivable.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse10false0axp_RemainingOtherAssetsaxpfalsedebitinstantCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of other assets not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Also serves as the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse13150000001315000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse13640000001364000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of other assets not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Also serves as the remainder of assets not individually reported in the financial statements, or not separately disclosed in notes.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse11false0us-gaap_OtherAssetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse1536800000015368000000[4]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1540000000015400000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount as of the balance sheet date of assets not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Also serves as the sum of assets not individually reported in the financial statements, or not separately disclosed in notes.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 17
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 10
-Article 7
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
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12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 10
-Article 9
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12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 17
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 10
-Article 7
truefalse1Includes 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.2Refer to Notes 17 and 12 for a discussion of deferred tax assets, net, and derivative assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. Derivative assets reflect the effect of master netting agreements.3Includes prepaid miles and reward points acquired from airline and other partners of approximately $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.4The 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.316Other Assets (Details) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
