Customer Deposits (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Time Deposits $250,000 Or More [Abstract]
U.S.	$ 106	$ 111
Non-U.S.	17	17
Total	$ 123	$ 128

Represent Domestic Certificates of Deposits in denominations of $250,000 or more

No definition available.

Name:	axp_TimeDeposits250000OrMoreDomestic
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant