Deferred Sales Commissions, Net - Schedule of Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2017	$ 32,206
2018	21,092
2019	7,688
2020	2,864
2021	36
2022	4
Total	$ 63,890

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year five of the six succeeding fiscal years.

No definition available.

Name:	ablp_DeferredSalesCommissionFutureAmortizationExpenseYearFive
Namespace Prefix:	ablp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year four of the six succeeding fiscal years.

No definition available.

Name:	ablp_DeferredSalesCommissionFutureAmortizationExpenseYearFour
Namespace Prefix:	ablp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year one of the six succeeding fiscal years.

No definition available.

Name:	ablp_DeferredSalesCommissionFutureAmortizationExpenseYearOne
Namespace Prefix:	ablp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year six of the six succeeding fiscal years.

No definition available.

Name:	ablp_DeferredSalesCommissionFutureAmortizationExpenseYearSix
Namespace Prefix:	ablp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year three of the six succeeding fiscal years.

No definition available.

Name:	ablp_DeferredSalesCommissionFutureAmortizationExpenseYearThree
Namespace Prefix:	ablp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year two of the six succeeding fiscal years.

No definition available.

Name:	ablp_DeferredSalesCommissionFutureAmortizationExpenseYearTwo
Namespace Prefix:	ablp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The aggregate estimated amortization expense for succeeding fiscal years for deferred sales commissions subject to amortization.

No definition available.

Name:	ablp_DeferredSalesCommissionsFutureAmortizationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	ablp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCostsCapitalizedPrepaidAndOtherAssetsDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration