Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 2,736	$ 5,408	$ 5,163
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provisions for losses	2,759	2,026	1,988
Depreciation and amortization	1,321	1,095	1,043
Deferred taxes and other	783	(1,132)	507
Stock-based compensation	282	254	234
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Other receivables	473	(281)	(714)
Other assets	(62)	192	2,058
Accounts payable and other liabilities	5,505	1,139	794
Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products	(257)	(410)	(367)
Net cash provided by operating activities	13,540	8,291	10,706
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Sales of available-for-sale investment securities	2	88	12
Maturities and redemptions of available-for-sale investment securities	2,494	2,429	2,091
Sales of other investments	0	10	0
Purchase of investments	(2,612)	(2,162)	(1,713)
Net increase in Card Member receivables and loans, including held for sale	(16,853)	3,220	(6,967)
Purchase of premises and equipment	(1,062)	(1,375)	(1,341)
Acquisitions/dispositions, net of cash acquired	(211)	(487)	(155)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	(31)	145	(120)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(18,273)	1,868	(8,193)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net increase (decrease) in customer deposits	11,385	(1,935)	10,878
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings	(2,300)	888	1,395
Issuance of long-term debt	32,764	8,824	9,923
Principal payments on long term debt	(24,082)	(9,848)	(19,246)
Issuance of American Express preferred shares	0	0	841
Issuance of American Express common shares	129	177	193
Repurchase of American Express common shares	(4,300)	(4,400)	(4,500)
Dividends paid	(1,251)	(1,207)	(1,172)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	12,245	(7,599)	(1,763)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	207	(114)	(276)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	7,719	2,446	474
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	25,208	22,762	22,288
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 32,927	$ 25,208	$ 22,762