XML 79 R8.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Increase decrease in debt exchange [Line Items]      
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction $ 630,000,000axp_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmountBeforeTax    
Sale of premises and equipment 3,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment 72,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment 3,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Non Cash [Member]      
Increase decrease in debt exchange [Line Items]      
Charge related to impacts of debt exchange on long-term debt 0axp_LongTermDebtImpactDueToDebtExchange
/ axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis
= axp_NonCashMember
0axp_LongTermDebtImpactDueToDebtExchange
/ axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis
= axp_NonCashMember
439,000,000axp_LongTermDebtImpactDueToDebtExchange
/ axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis
= axp_NonCashMember
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction $ 630,000,000axp_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmountBeforeTax
/ axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis
= axp_NonCashMember
$ 0axp_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmountBeforeTax
/ axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis
= axp_NonCashMember
$ 0axp_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmountBeforeTax
/ axp_IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchangeAxis
= axp_NonCashMember