Reserves for Losses (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Changes in the cardmember receivable reserve for losses
Balance, January 1			$ 386	$ 546
Additions:
Cardmember receivables provisions			279	239
Cardmember receivables provisions - other			80	84
Total provision	161	96	359	323
Deductions:
Cardmember receivables net write-offs	(260)	(365)	(260)	(365)
Cardmember receivables - other	(70)	(64)	(70)	(64)
Balance, June 30	415	440	415	440
Valuation allowances and reserves, recoveries			$ 171	$ 189

AccountsReceivableRollForward.

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

- Definition

Charge card reserve deductions.

+ Details

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

- Definition

ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsAbstract.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents adjustments to cardmember receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions for the period.

+ Details

Name:	axp_ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsOther
Namespace Prefix:	axp
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents loss provisions for cardmember receivables consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee reserve components for the period.

+ Details

Name:	axp_ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardReservesAdditionsPrincipalAndFees
Namespace Prefix:	axp
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents adjustments to cardmember receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions and foreign currency translation adjustments for the period.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents net write-offs consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries, for the period.

+ Details

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

- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 4
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the current period expense charged against operations, the offset which is generally to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the purpose of reducing receivables, including notes receivable, to an amount that approximates their net realizable value (the amount expected to be collected).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 5
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total of recoveries of amounts due the Entity that had previously been written off as uncollectible using allowances (the valuation accounts that are netted against the cost of an asset to value it at its carrying value) and total of reestablishments of reserves (liabilities established to represent expected future costs) that had previously been utilized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 09
-Article 12

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration