2.2.0.25truefalse06084 - Disclosure - Other Assets (Details Textuals)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$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($) / shares
USD ($)
$TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2008http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0axp_OtherAssetsLineItemsaxpfalsenadurationOther Assets [Line Items]falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringOther Assets [Line Items]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
falsefalse4false0us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse18020000001802000000[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse21140000002114000000[2]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
falsefalse5true0axp_OtherAssetsTextualsAbstractaxpfalsenadurationOther Assets Textuals.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringOther Assets Textuals.falsefalse6false0us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLossus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryLoss recognized during the period that results from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e(2)
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 43
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 47
-Subparagraph b
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 20
falsefalse7false0axp_GoodwillImpairmentAccumulatedLossaxpfalsedebitdurationAccumulated loss recognized resulting from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAccumulated loss recognized resulting from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse8false0us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLifeMinimumus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse11falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe minimum useful life of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse9false0us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLifeMaximumus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2222falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe maximum useful life of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse10false0us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse176000000176000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse140000000140000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse8300000083000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate amount of amortization expense recognized for intangible asset during the period. A recognized intangible asset shall be amortized over its estimated useful life to the reporting entity unless that life is determined to be indefinite. If an intangible asset has a finite useful life, but the precise length of that life is not known, that intangible asset shall be amortized over the best estimate of its useful life.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a(2)
falsefalse11false0us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetWeightedAverageUsefulLifeus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse88falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse55falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe calculated weighted-average amortization period of a major class of finite-lived intangible assets acquired during the current period either individually or as part of a group of assets (in either an asset acquisition or business combination). A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 44
-Subparagraph a(3)
falsefalse12false0axp_AffordableHousingPartnershipInterestsaxpfalsedebitinstantRepresents the amount of the Company's affordable housing partnership interests, included in other assets.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse197000000197000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse168000000168000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of the Company's affordable housing partnership interests, included in other assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13false0axp_AffordableHousingPartnershipInterestsPercentageaxpfalsenainstantRepresents the typical percentage amount the Company owns of its affordable housing partnership interests.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1falsefalsefalse00less than 50 percent interestfalsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringRepresents the typical percentage amount the Company owns of its affordable housing partnership interests.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse14false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/otherassetsdetailstextuals1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{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$5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : American Express Lending Trust [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_American_Express_Lending_Trust_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAmerican Express Lending Trust [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_AmericanExpressLendingTrustMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse15true0axp_OtherAssetsLineItemsaxpfalsenadurationOther Assets [Line Items]falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringOther Assets [Line Items]falsefalse16false0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse37000000003700000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse19000000001900000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli: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
falsefalse18false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/otherassetsdetailstextuals1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : American Express Charge Trust [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_American_Express_Charge_Trust_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAmerican Express Charge Trust [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : American Express Charge Trust [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_American_Express_Charge_Trust_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAmerican Express Charge Trust [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_AmericanExpressChargeTrustMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse19true0axp_OtherAssetsLineItemsaxpfalsenadurationOther Assets [Line Items]falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringOther Assets [Line Items]falsefalse20false0us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse90000009000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse18000000001800000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli: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.2Includes 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 2009.318Other Assets (Details Textuals) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue
