Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract]
Marketing and promotion	$ 985	$ 786	$ 1,598	$ 1,407
Card Member rewards	1,773	1,601	3,355	3,121
Card Member services and other	192	193	414	382
Total marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other	$ 2,950	$ 2,580	$ 5,367	$ 4,910

Marketing and promotion expense includes advertising costs. Cardmember rewards expense includes the costs of rewards programs (including Membership Rewards). Cardmember services expense includes protection plans and complimentary services provided to cardmembers.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_MarketingPromotionRewardsAndCardmemberServices
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration