2.2.0.25truefalse06092 - Disclosure - Customer Deposits (Details 2)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010
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$2true0us-gaap_TimeDepositsByMaturityAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearOneus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse60670000006067falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of twelve months or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse4false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearTwous-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse29010000002901falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than twelve months, but two years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse5false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearThreeus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse22930000002293falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than two years but three years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse6false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFourus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse10200000001020falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than three years but four years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse7false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFiveus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse121000000121falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than four years but five years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse8false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesAfterYearFiveus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse432000000432falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than five years.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse9false0us-gaap_TimeDepositsus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse1283400000012834falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate amount of time deposits, including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 12
-Article 9
truefalse10false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/disclosurecustomerdepositsdetails31falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis} : U.S. [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_Domestic_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. [Member]us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_DomesticMemberus-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse11true0us-gaap_TimeDepositsByMaturityAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse12false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearOneus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse56960000005696falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of twelve months or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse13false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearTwous-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse29010000002901falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than twelve months, but two years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse14false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearThreeus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse22930000002293falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than two years but three years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse15false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFourus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse10200000001020falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than three years but four years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse16false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFiveus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse121000000121falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than four years but five years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse17false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesAfterYearFiveus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse432000000432falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than five years.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse18false0us-gaap_TimeDepositsus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse1246300000012463falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate amount of time deposits, including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 12
-Article 9
truefalse19false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/disclosurecustomerdepositsdetails31falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis} : Non-U.S. [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_International_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNon-U.S. [Member]us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_InternationalMemberus-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse20true0us-gaap_TimeDepositsByMaturityAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse21false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearOneus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse371000000371falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of twelve months or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse22false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearTwous-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than twelve months, but two years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse23false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearThreeus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than two years but three years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse24false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFourus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than three years but four years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse25false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFiveus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than four years but five years or less.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse26false0us-gaap_TimeDepositMaturitiesAfterYearFiveus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of time deposits (including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts) held by the entity with a remaining term of greater than five years.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 13
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse27false0us-gaap_TimeDepositsus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse371000000371falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate amount of time deposits, including certificates of deposits, individual retirement accounts and open accounts.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 12
-Article 9
truefalse126Customer Deposits (Details 2) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue