Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Non Interest Revenues [Line Items]
Foreign currency conversion fee revenue	$ 921	$ 851	$ 809
Delinquency fees	959	888	762
Loyalty Partner-related fees	461	452	409
Travel Commissions And Fees	395	364	332
Other	417	435	406
Other Fees and Commissions
Non Interest Revenues [Line Items]
Revenues and Fees	$ 3,153	$ 2,990	$ 2,718

Commissions and fees earned by charging clients transaction or management fees for selling and arranging travel and travel management services. Client transaction fee revenue is recognized at the time the client books the travel arrangements. Travel management services revenue is recognized over the contractual term of the agreement. The Company's travel suppliers (for example, airlines, hotels, car rental companies) pay commissions and fees on tickets issued, sales and other services based on contractual agreements. Commissions and fees from travel suppliers are generally recognized at the time a ticket is purchased or over the term of the contract. Commissions and fees that are based on actual usage that is unknown at time of purchase (for example, hotel and car rentals), are recognized when cash is received.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_Travelcommissionsandfees
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration