Parent Company - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 10,129	$ 8,374	$ 7,514
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	14,050	18,559	21,079
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities	(24,402)	(24,433)	(33,689)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from long-term debt	12,602	15,674	23,230
Payments of long-term debt	(10,759)	(10,703)	(18,906)
Issuance of American Express common shares	100	28	56
Repurchase of American Express common shares and other	(6,020)	(3,650)	(3,502)
Dividends paid	(1,999)	(1,780)	(1,565)
Net cash provided by financing activities	4,436	18,379	24,509
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(5,956)	12,682	11,886
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	46,596	33,914	22,028
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	40,640	46,596	33,914
Parent Company
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	10,129	8,374	7,514
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates	(10,483)	(8,577)	(7,905)
Dividends received from subsidiaries and affiliates	8,027	5,326	5,549
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries and affiliates	14	360	160
Net cash provided by operating activities	7,687	5,483	5,318
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net increase in loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	(3,449)	(2,836)	(4,850)
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	(55)	0	(1)
Other investing activities	5	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,499)	(2,836)	(4,851)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net decrease in short-term debt from subsidiaries and affiliates	0	0	(136)
Proceeds from long-term debt	8,872	9,969	13,202
Payments of long-term debt	(7,500)	(5,750)	(5,675)
Issuance of American Express common shares	100	28	56
Repurchase of American Express common shares and other	(6,020)	(3,650)	(3,502)
Dividends paid	(1,999)	(1,780)	(1,565)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(6,547)	(1,183)	2,380
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(2,359)	1,464	2,847
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	9,652	8,188	5,341
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 7,293	$ 9,652	$ 8,188