Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 05, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-6908
Entity Registrant Name	AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000004969
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	11-1988350
Entity Address, Address Line One	200 Vesey Street
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10285
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	640-2000
Title of 12(b) Security	0.625 percent Senior Notes, due November 22, 2021
Trading Symbol	AXP/21
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,504,938
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Shell Company	false