Parent Company - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2025	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 10,833	$ 10,129	$ 8,374
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	18,428	14,050	18,559
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities	(22,891)	(24,402)	(24,433)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from long-term debt	24,377	12,602	15,674
Payments of long-term debt	(18,157)	(10,759)	(10,703)
Issuance of American Express common shares	57	100	28
Repurchase of American Express common shares and other	(5,814)	(6,020)	(3,650)
Dividends paid	(2,271)	(1,999)	(1,780)
Net cash provided by financing activities	11,210	4,436	18,379
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	7,152	(5,956)	12,682
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	40,640	46,596	33,914
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	47,792	40,640	46,596
Parent Company
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	10,833	10,129	8,374
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates	(11,411)	(10,483)	(8,577)
Dividends received from subsidiaries	7,793	8,027	5,326
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries and affiliates	1,104	14	360
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,319	7,687	5,483
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net increase in loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	(3,014)	(3,449)	(2,836)
Investments in subsidiaries, net of returned capital	12
Investments in subsidiaries, net of returned capital		(55)	0
Other investing activities	(1)	5	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,003)	(3,499)	(2,836)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from long-term debt	15,063	8,872	9,969
Payments of long-term debt	(8,000)	(7,500)	(5,750)
Issuance of American Express common shares	57	100	28
Repurchase of American Express common shares and other	(5,588)	(6,020)	(3,650)
Dividends paid	(2,271)	(1,999)	(1,780)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(739)	(6,547)	(1,183)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	4,577	(2,359)	1,464
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	7,293	9,652	8,188
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 11,870	$ 7,293	$ 9,652