Name:	axp_DelinquencyFees
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Details of Certain Statements of Income Lines Details.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_DetailsOfCertainStatementsOfIncomeLinesDetailsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Primary financial statement caption in which reported facts about foreign currency gain (loss) have been included.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_ForeignCurrencyGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Represents fees generated by the Loyalty Partner business.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_LoyaltyPartnerRelatedFees
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Represents revenues from miscellaneous items within other commissions and fees not previously classified.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_OtherCommissionsAndFees
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Fee for services rendered usually based on a percentage of an amount received or collected or agreed to be paid for professional services.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_ServiceFees
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Commissions and fees earned by charging clients transaction or management fees for selling and arranging travel and travel management services. Client transaction fee revenue is recognized at the time the client books the travel arrangements. Travel management services revenue is recognized over the contractual term of the agreement. The Company's travel suppliers (for example, airlines, hotels, car rental companies) pay commissions and fees on tickets issued, sales and other services based on contractual agreements. Commissions and fees from travel suppliers are generally recognized at the time a ticket is purchased or over the term of the contract. Commissions and fees that are based on actual usage that is unknown at time of purchase (for example, hotel and car rentals), are recognized when cash is received.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_TravelCommissionsAndFees
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Fee and commission revenue earned from sources not otherwise specified in the existing taxonomy.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882