Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Non Interest Income [Line Items]
Delinquency fees	$ 251	$ 242
Foreign currency conversion fee revenue	230	225
Loyalty Partner-related fees	114	111
Travel commissions and fees	108	99
Service fees	100	104
Other Fees and Commissions
Non Interest Income [Line Items]
Revenues and Fees	$ 803	$ 781

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