Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 5,408	$ 5,163	$ 5,885
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provisions for losses	2,026	1,988	2,044
Depreciation and amortization	1,095	1,043	1,012
Deferred taxes and other	(1,132)	507	(941)
Stock-based compensation	254	234	290
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Other receivables	(281)	(714)	(56)
Other assets	192	2,058	650
Accounts payable and other liabilities	1,072	699	2,594
Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products	(410)	(367)	(488)
Premium paid on debt exchange	0	0	0
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,224	10,611	10,990
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Sales of available-for-sale investment securities	88	12	242
Maturities and redemptions of available-for-sale investment securities	2,429	2,091	1,116
Sales of other investments	10	0	990
Purchase of investments	(2,162)	(1,713)	(886)
Net decrease (increase) in Card Member receivables and loans, including held for sale	3,220	(6,967)	(8,077)
Purchase of premises and equipment	(1,375)	(1,341)	(1,195)
Acquisitions/dispositions, net of cash acquired	(487)	(155)	(229)
Net decrease (increase) in restricted cash	145	(120)	72
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,868	(8,193)	(7,967)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net (decrease) increase in customer deposits	(1,935)	10,878	2,459
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings	888	1,395	(1,374)
Issuance of long-term debt	8,824	9,923	16,020
Principal payments on long term debt	(9,848)	(19,246)	(12,768)
Issuance of American Express preferred shares	0	841	742
Issuance of American Express common shares	177	193	362
Repurchase of American Express common shares	(4,431)	(4,480)	(4,389)
Dividends paid	(1,207)	(1,172)	(1,041)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(7,532)	(1,668)	11
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(114)	(276)	(232)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,446	474	2,802
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	22,762	22,288	19,486
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 25,208	$ 22,762	$ 22,288