Name:	axp_DeferredCardAndOtherFeesNet
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents amounts related to the estimated cost of points earned to date that are ultimately expected to be redeemed.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_MembershipRewardsLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents amounts related to rebate and reward accruals including payments to third-party card issuing partners and cash-back reward costs.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_RebateAndRewardAccruals
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

One-time transition tax on unrepatriated accumulated earnings and profits of certain foreign subsidiaries, as a result of tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act).

No definition available.

Name:	axp_USTaxActDeemedRepatriationTaxEstimate
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of unearned revenue or income, not otherwise specified in the taxonomy, which is expected to be taken into income in future periods and obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet (other liabilities).

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCreditsAndOtherLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences, after deferred tax asset, and other tax liabilities expected to be paid after one year or operating cycle, if longer.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxesAndOtherTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Total of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for obligations related to services received from employees, such as accrued salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes and fringe benefits. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of liabilities classified as other.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Name:	us-gaap_OtherLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.