Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract]
Delinquency fees	$ 238	$ 221	$ 712	$ 653
Foreign currency conversion fee revenue	233	219	691	630
Loyalty Partner-related fees	120	116	338	332
Travel commissions and fees	104	91	315	273
Other	103	108	309	324
Total Other fees and commissions	$ 798	$ 755	$ 2,365	$ 2,212

Commissions and fees earned by charging clients transaction or management fees for selling and arranging travel and travel management services. Client transaction fee revenue is recognized at the time the client books the travel arrangements. Travel management services revenue is recognized over the contractual term of the agreement. The Company's travel suppliers (for example, airlines, hotels, car rental companies) pay commissions and fees on tickets issued, sales and other services based on contractual agreements. Commissions and fees from travel suppliers are generally recognized at the time a ticket is purchased or over the term of the contract. Commissions and fees that are based on actual usage that is unknown at time of purchase (for example, hotel and car rentals), are recognized when cash is received.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_TravelCommissionsAndFees
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration