Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 1,237	$ 1,426
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provisions for losses	573	434
Depreciation and amortization	296	261
Deferred taxes and other	8	218
Stock-based compensation	89	70
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Other receivables	795	427
Other assets	349	232
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(2,069)	(296)
Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products	(118)	(243)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,160	2,529
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Sales of available-for-sale investment securities	0	45
Maturities and redemptions of available-for-sale investment securities	860	226
Sales of other investments	0	0
Purchase of investments	(1,294)	(345)
Net decrease in Card Member receivables and loans, including held for sale	1,450	4,039
Purchase of premises and equipment, net of sales	(277)	(302)
Acquisitions/Dispositions, net of cash acquired	(28)	(155)
Net (inrease) decrease in restricted cash	(11)	132
Net cash provided by investing activities	700	3,640
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net increase in customer deposits	735	773
Net decrease in short-term borrowings	(1,941)	(2,217)
Issuance of long-term debt	8,420	35
Principal payments on long-term debt	(3,801)	(1,036)
Issuance of American Express preferred shares	0	0
Issuance of American Express common shares	31	11
Repurchase of American Express common shares	(926)	(1,188)
Dividends paid	(313)	(302)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,205	(3,924)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	93	38
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	4,158	2,283
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	25,208	22,762
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 29,366	$ 25,045