Represents write-offs of cardmember receivables during period, net of recoveries, as a result of a change in write-off methodology.

Name:	axp_CardmemberReceivablesNetWriteOffsDueToMethodologyChange
Namespace Prefix:	axp
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	axp_CreditQualityIndicatorForLoansAndReceivablesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	axp
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	axp_CreditQualityIndicatorForLoansAndReceivablesTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	axp
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the ratio of charge card write-offs consisting of principal (resulting from authorized and unauthorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries, on cardmember receivables expressed as a percentage of gross amounts billed to cardmembers.

+ Details

Name:	axp_NetLossRatioAsPercentageOfChargeVolume
Namespace Prefix:	axp
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount of cardmember loans or cardmember receivables written off consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions), less recoveries, as a percentage of the average loan balance or average receivables during the period.

+ Details

Name:	axp_NetWriteOffRatePrincipal
Namespace Prefix:	axp
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount of cardmember loans or cardmember receivables written off consisting of principal, interest, and fees (resulting from authorized transactions), less recoveries, as a percentage of the average loan balance or average receivables during the period.

+ Details

Name:	axp_NetWriteOffRatePrincipalInterestFees
Namespace Prefix:	axp
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents metric calculated as cardmember receivables that are 90 days past billing expressed as a percentage of total cardmember receivables.

+ Details

Name:	axp_NinetyDaysPastBillingAsPercentageOfReceivables
Namespace Prefix:	axp
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents metric calculated as accounts receivable or loans that are 30 days past due expressed as a percentage of total accounts receivables or loans.

+ Details

Name:	axp_ThirtyDaysPastDueAsPercentageOfTotal
Namespace Prefix:	axp
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified								6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011 U S Card Services [Member] Cardmember Loans [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 U S Card Services [Member] Cardmember Loans [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 U S Card Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 U S Card Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 International Card Services [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 International Card Services [Member] Cardmember Loans [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 International Card Services [Member] Cardmember Loans [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 International Card Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 International Card Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Global Commercial Services [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Global Commercial Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Global Commercial Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member]
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate Principal	3.40%	6.70%	1.60%	1.70%		3.10%	5.20%
Net Write Off Rate Principal Interest Fees	3.80%	7.40%	1.70%	1.90%		3.70%	6.20%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.50%	2.70%	1.70%	1.50%		2.10%	3.00%
Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume								0.15%	0.34%		0.06%	0.17%
90 days past billing as a percentage of receivables								1.00%	1.00%		0.70%	1.00%
Credit Quality Indicator For Loans And Receivables (Textuals) [Abstract]
Cardmember receivables net write offs due to methodology change					$ 60					$ 48