Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Mar. 31, 2017
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation The Company American Express Credit Corporation (Credco), together with its subsidiaries, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company (American Express). Credco is engaged in the business of financing non-interest-earning Card Member receivables arising from the use of American Express charge cards issued in the United States and in certain countries outside the United States. Credco also finances certain interest-earning revolving loans generated by Card Member spending on American Express credit cards issued in non-U.S. markets, although interest-earning revolving loans are primarily funded by subsidiaries of TRS other than Credco. Credco executes material transactions with its affiliates. The agreements between Credco and its affiliates provide that the parties intend that the transactions thereunder be conducted on an arm’s length basis; however, there can be no assurance that the terms of these arrangements are the same as would be negotiated between independent, unrelated parties. American Express provides Credco with financial support with respect to maintenance of its minimum overall 1.25 fixed charge coverage ratio, which is achieved by charging appropriate discount rates on the purchases of receivables Credco makes from, and the interest rates on the loans Credco provides to, TRS and other American Express subsidiaries. Each monthly period, the discount and interest rates are determined to generate income for Credco that is sufficient to maintain its minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The revenue earned by Credco from purchasing Card Member receivables and loans at a discount is reported as discount revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Credco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Form 10-K). If not materially different, certain footnote disclosures included therein have been omitted from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The interim consolidated financial information in this report has not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim period consolidated financial information, have been made. Results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The accounting standard establishes the principles to apply to determine the amount and timing of revenue recognition, specifying the accounting for certain costs related to revenue, and requiring additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and related cash flows. The guidance, as amended, supersedes most of the current revenue recognition requirements, and is effective January 1, 2018. Upon adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance, Credco anticipates using the full retrospective method, which applies the new standard to each prior reporting period presented. Credco has been working on the implementation of the standard since its issuance in 2014 and has made significant progress in evaluating the potential impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. Credco does not expect a significant impact to pretax income upon adoption. In January 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The guidance, which is effective January 1, 2018, makes targeted changes to current GAAP, specifically to the classification and measurement of equity securities, and to certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. Credco continues to evaluate the impact this guidance will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows, as well as the impact the standard may have on its accounting policies, business processes, systems and internal controls. In June 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for recognition of credit losses on financial instruments, which is effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. The guidance introduces a new credit reserving model known as the Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) model, which is based on expected losses, and differs significantly from the incurred loss approach used today. The CECL model requires measurement of expected credit losses not only based on historical experience and current conditions, but also by including reasonable and supportable forecasts incorporating forward-looking information and will likely result in earlier recognition of credit reserves. Credco does not intend to adopt the new standard early and is currently evaluating the impact the new guidance will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows; however, it is expected that the CECL model will alter the assumptions used in estimating credit losses on Card Member receivables and loans, among other financial instruments, and may result in material changes to Credco’s credit reserves. Other Information During the fourth quarter of 2015, American Express determined it would sell Card Member loans and receivables related to certain of its cobrand partnerships. As a result of the determination, Credco classified Card Member receivables related to the Costco portfolio purchased from American Express Receivables Financing Corporation VIII LLC (RFC VIII) in the form of participation interest as Card Member receivables held for sale (HFS) on its Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016. During the second quarter of 2016, American Express completed the sales of substantially all of its outstanding Card Member loans and receivables HFS, and consequently Credco also sold back all of its participation interests in Card Member receivables HFS to RFC VIII.