Name:	axp_DeferredCardAndOtherFeesNet
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Represents amounts related to the estimated cost of points earned to date that are ultimately expected to be redeemed.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_MembershipRewardsLiabilities
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents amounts related to rebate and reward accruals including payments to third-party card issuing partners and cash-back reward costs.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_RebateAccruals
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

One-time transition tax on unrepatriated accumulated earnings and profits of certain foreign subsidiaries, as a result of tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act).

No definition available.

Name:	axp_USTaxActDeemedRepatriationTaxEstimate
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of payments made in excess of existing cash balances, which will be honored by the bank but reflected as a loan to the entity. Overdrafts generally have a very short time frame for correction or repayment and are therefore more similar to short-term bank financing than trade financing.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99376301&loc=d3e1243-112600

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of unearned revenue or income, not otherwise specified in the taxonomy, which is expected to be taken into income in future periods and obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet (other liabilities).

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCreditsAndOtherLiabilities
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Total of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for obligations related to services received from employees, such as accrued salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes and fringe benefits. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Amount of liabilities classified as other.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Name:	us-gaap_OtherLiabilities
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- References

No definition available.