Asset Securitizations (Details Textuals) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc [Member]
Securitized Trusts [Line Items]
Subordinated securities owned	$ 800,000,000
American Express Charge Trust [Member]
Securitized Trusts [Line Items]
Restricted cash	75,000,000	15,000,000
American Express Lending Trust [Member]
Securitized Trusts [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 1,100,000,000	$ 192,000,000

- Definition

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.

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