Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 1,426	$ 1,525
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provisions for losses	434	420
Depreciation and amortization	261	251
Deferred taxes and other	218	219
Stock-based compensation	70	71
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Other receivables	427	175
Other assets	232	957
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(356)	(1,230)
Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products	(243)	(262)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,469	2,126
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Sales of available-for-sale investment securities	45	0
Maturities and redemptions of available-for-sale investment securities	226	439
Purchase of investments	(345)	(447)
Net decrease in Card Member receivables and loans, including held for sale	4,039	3,129
Purchase of premises and equipment, net of sales	(302)	(256)
Acquisitions/Dispositions, net of cash acquired	(155)	(59)
Net decrease in restricted cash	132	15
Net cash provided by investing activities	3,640	2,821
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net increase in customer deposits	773	784
Net decrease in short-term borrowings	(2,217)	(1,062)
Issuance of long-term debt	35	0
Principal payments on long-term debt	(1,036)	(3,100)
Issuance of American Express preferred shares	0	841
Issuance of American Express common shares	11	54
Repurchase of American Express common shares	(1,128)	(791)
Dividends paid	(302)	(268)
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,864)	(3,542)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	38	(121)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,283	1,284
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	22,762	22,288
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 25,045	$ 23,572