Variable Interest Entity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 27,938	$ 33,285
Total liabilities	25,682	31,166
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | American Express Canada Credit Corporation Member [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	1,800	1,700
Total liabilities	1,700	1,700
Liabilities eliminated in consolidation	$ 1,300	$ 800