$AXP
AMERICAN EXPRESS CO Stock $axp

$axp Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2020 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000000496221000013 Filed on February 12, 2021

Income Statement

Concept	2020 Q4	2019 Q4	2019 Q3
Revenue	$9.351B	$11.37B	$10.99B
YoY Change	-17.72%	8.51%	8.33%
Cost Of Revenue	$2.758B	$3.626B	$3.573B
YoY Change	-23.94%	7.02%	11.59%
Gross Profit	$6.748B	$8.092B	$7.817B
YoY Change	-16.61%	8.43%	7.35%
Gross Profit Margin	72.16%	71.2%	71.13%
Selling, General & Admin	$4.591B	$4.766B	$4.352B
YoY Change	-3.67%	10.2%	9.62%
% of Gross Profit	68.03%	58.9%	55.67%
Research & Development
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Depreciation & Amortization	$428.0M	$305.0M	$300.0M
YoY Change	40.33%	6.64%	-6.83%
% of Gross Profit	6.34%	3.77%	3.84%
Operating Expenses	$4.890B	$6.118B	$5.576B
YoY Change	-20.07%	7.98%	8.04%
Operating Profit	$1.858B	$1.974B	$2.241B
YoY Change	-5.88%	9.85%	5.66%
Interest Expense		$12.00M	$877.0M
YoY Change		-64.71%	12.87%
% of Operating Profit		0.61%	39.13%
Other Income/Expense, Net
YoY Change
Pretax Income	$1.858B	$1.986B	$2.266B
YoY Change	-6.45%	8.47%	6.99%
Income Tax	$420.0M	$293.0M	$511.0M
% Of Pretax Income	22.6%	14.75%	22.55%
Net Earnings	$1.438B	$1.693B	$1.755B
YoY Change	-15.06%	-15.77%	6.11%
Net Earnings / Revenue	15.38%	14.9%	15.97%
Basic Earnings Per Share	$1.76	$2.04	$2.09
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$1.76	$2.03	$2.08
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding	805.2M shares	818.3M shares	825.0M shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding			827.0M shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2020 Q4	2019 Q4	2019 Q3
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments	$32.20B	$23.79B	$24.25B
YoY Change	35.34%	-12.78%	-19.65%
Cash & Equivalents	$32.97B	$24.45B	$25.35B
Short-Term Investments
Other Short-Term Assets
YoY Change
Inventory
Prepaid Expenses
Receivables	$43.43B	$56.79B	$56.01B
Other Receivables	$0.00	$0.00	$2.846B
Total Short-Term Assets	$75.64B	$80.59B	$83.11B
YoY Change	-6.14%	-5.75%	-5.89%
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$5.015B	$4.834B	$4.715B
YoY Change	3.74%	9.47%	9.78%
Goodwill	$3.852B	$3.315B
YoY Change	16.2%	7.91%
Intangibles
YoY Change
Long-Term Investments	$21.79B	$8.544B	$8.461B
YoY Change	155.01%	77.52%	38.18%
Other Assets	$1.147B	$1.154B	$1.088B
YoY Change	-0.61%	10.64%	38.95%
Total Long-Term Assets	$115.4B	$117.4B	$110.9B
YoY Change	-1.74%	13.45%	10.14%
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets	$75.64B	$80.59B	$83.11B
Total Long-Term Assets	$115.4B	$117.4B	$110.9B
Total Assets	$191.0B	$198.0B	$194.0B
YoY Change	-3.54%	4.76%	2.65%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable	$9.444B	$12.74B	$12.87B
YoY Change	-25.86%	3.94%	-17.55%
Accrued Expenses
YoY Change
Deferred Revenue
YoY Change
Short-Term Debt	$1.878B	$6.442B	$2.818B
YoY Change	-70.85%	107.81%	22.95%
Long-Term Debt Due
YoY Change
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$98.20B	$92.47B	$88.98B
YoY Change	6.2%	8.38%	2.05%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$42.95B	$57.84B	$58.47B
YoY Change	-25.73%	-1.01%	5.74%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$27.23B	$24.95B	$23.70B
YoY Change	9.16%	10.52%	-5.69%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$70.19B	$82.78B	$82.18B
YoY Change	-15.22%	2.21%	2.17%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$98.20B	$92.47B	$88.98B
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$70.19B	$82.78B	$82.18B
Total Liabilities	$168.4B	$175.3B	$171.2B
YoY Change	-3.92%	5.37%	2.1%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings	$13.84B	$13.87B	$13.65B
YoY Change	-0.25%	10.98%	18.5%
Common Stock	$161.0M	$163.0M	$165.0M
YoY Change	-1.23%	-4.12%	-3.51%
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)
YoY Change
Treasury Stock Shares	2.500M shares	2.600M shares
Shareholders Equity	$22.98B	$23.07B	$23.03B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$191.4B	$198.3B	$194.2B
YoY Change	-3.51%	5.15%	2.69%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2020 Q4	2019 Q4	2019 Q3
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$1.438B	$1.693B	$1.755B
YoY Change	-15.06%	-15.77%	6.11%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization	$428.0M	$305.0M	$300.0M
YoY Change	40.33%	6.64%	-6.83%
Cash From Operating Activities	$3.500B	$3.196B	-$1.041B
YoY Change	9.51%	-355.27%	-120.47%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures	-$436.0M	-$431.0M	-$374.0M
YoY Change	1.16%	-1.82%	11.64%
Acquisitions
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	-$5.121B	-$5.024B	-$379.0M
YoY Change	1.93%	0.38%	-93.05%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$5.557B	-$5.455B	-$753.0M
YoY Change	1.87%	0.2%	-86.99%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net
YoY Change
Debt Paid & Issued, Net
YoY Change
Cash From Financing Activities	-686.0M	1.423B	-398.0M
YoY Change	-148.21%	-56.08%	-163.58%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	3.500B	3.196B	-1.041B
Cash From Investing Activities	-5.557B	-5.455B	-753.0M
Cash From Financing Activities	-686.0M	1.423B	-398.0M
Net Change In Cash	-2.743B	-836.0M	-2.192B
YoY Change	228.11%	-75.81%	2710.26%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	$3.500B	$3.196B	-$1.041B
Capital Expenditures	-$436.0M	-$431.0M	-$374.0M
Free Cash Flow	$3.936B	$3.627B	-$667.0M
YoY Change	8.52%	-546.13%	-112.3%

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
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CY2020	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-K
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CY2020	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2020-12-31
CY2020	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
CY2020	dei	Document Transition Report DocumentTransitionReport	false
CY2020	dei	Entity File Number EntityFileNumber	1-7657
CY2020	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	American Express Co
CY2020	dei	Entity Incorporation State Country Code EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode	NY
CY2020	dei	Entity Tax Identification Number EntityTaxIdentificationNumber	13-4922250
CY2020	dei	Entity Address Address Line1 EntityAddressAddressLine1	200 Vesey Street
CY2020	dei	Entity Address City Or Town EntityAddressCityOrTown	New York
CY2020	dei	Entity Address State Or Province EntityAddressStateOrProvince	NY
CY2020	dei	Entity Address Postal Zip Code EntityAddressPostalZipCode	10285
CY2020	dei	City Area Code CityAreaCode	212
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CY2020	dei	Security12b Title Security12bTitle	Common Shares (par value $0.20 per Share)
CY2020	dei	Trading Symbol TradingSymbol	AXP
CY2020	dei	Security Exchange Name SecurityExchangeName	NYSE
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CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Authorized PreferredStockSharesAuthorized	20000000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding PreferredStockSharesOutstanding	1600	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Issued PreferredStockSharesIssued	1600	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Issued PreferredStockSharesIssued	1600	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding PreferredStockSharesOutstanding	1600	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Value Outstanding PreferredStockValueOutstanding	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Value Outstanding PreferredStockValueOutstanding	0	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.20
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.20
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	3600000000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	3600000000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	805000000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	805000000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	810000000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	810000000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	161000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	163000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Additional Paid In Capital AdditionalPaidInCapital	11881000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Additional Paid In Capital AdditionalPaidInCapital	11774000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	13837000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	13871000000	USD
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CY2019Q4	axp	Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossavailableforsalesecuritiestax Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossavailableforsalesecuritiestax	11000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	65000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	33000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossforeigncurrencytranslationadjustmenttax Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossforeigncurrencytranslationadjustmenttax	-381000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossforeigncurrencytranslationadjustmenttax Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossforeigncurrencytranslationadjustmenttax	-319000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-2229000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-2189000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossdefinedbenefitplanstax Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossdefinedbenefitplanstax	236000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossdefinedbenefitplanstax Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossdefinedbenefitplanstax	208000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	731000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	581000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-2895000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-2737000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	22984000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	23071000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	191367000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	198321000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	3135000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	6759000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	6921000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Provision For Loan Losses Expensed ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed	4730000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Provision For Loan Losses Expensed ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed	3573000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Provision For Loan Losses Expensed ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed	3352000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Depreciation Amortization And Accretion Net DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet	1543000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Depreciation Amortization And Accretion Net DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet	1188000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Depreciation Amortization And Accretion Net DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet	1293000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	256000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-426000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Third Party Certificates Of Deposit ThirdPartyCertificatesOfDeposit	5561000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-455000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	249000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	283000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	283000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	1785000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	368000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	-991000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndOtherOperatingLiabilities	-4365000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	5591000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	8930000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Debt ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt	69000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Debt ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt	22000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Debt ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt	4000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	7159000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	3499000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	20562000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	11166000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	5434000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Loans And Leases PaymentsForProceedsFromLoansAndLeases	-26906000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Loans And Leases PaymentsForProceedsFromLoansAndLeases	11047000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Loans And Leases PaymentsForProceedsFromLoansAndLeases	15854000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	1000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	43000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	1000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	1478000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	1645000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	1310000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsForProceedsFromBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	597000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-16707000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsForProceedsFromBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	352000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsForProceedsFromBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	520000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-135000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-152000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	0	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-19615000000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Deposits IncreaseDecreaseInDeposits	3330000000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	12706000000	USD
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CY2020	axp	Payments For Repurchases Of Common Shares And Other PaymentsForRepurchasesOfCommonSharesAndOther	1029000000	USD
CY2019	axp	Payments For Repurchases Of Common Shares And Other PaymentsForRepurchasesOfCommonSharesAndOther	4685000000	USD
CY2018	axp	Payments For Repurchases Of Common Shares And Other PaymentsForRepurchasesOfCommonSharesAndOther	1685000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	1474000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	1422000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	1324000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-9068000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-519000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	5101000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	364000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	232000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	129000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	8519000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	-3362000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	-5455000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	24446000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	27808000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	33263000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	32965000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	24446000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	27808000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	32965000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	24446000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	27808000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents	606000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents	514000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents	363000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Federal Funds Sold CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold	32359000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Federal Funds Sold CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold	23932000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Federal Funds Sold CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold	27445000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	18261000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	6921000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-169000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	1570000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Other StockholdersEquityOther	-200000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	1.48
CY2018	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock DividendsCommonStock	1273000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	22290000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	6759000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-140000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	4585000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Other StockholdersEquityOther	-186000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	1.64
CY2019	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock DividendsCommonStock	1358000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	23071000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	3135000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-158000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	875000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Other StockholdersEquityOther	-164000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	1.72
CY2020	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock DividendsCommonStock	1392000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	22984000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Use Of Estimates UseOfEstimates	<div style="margin-top:10pt"><span style="color:#002663;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">AMOUNTS BASED ON ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS</span></div><div style="margin-top:10pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accounting estimates are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements. These estimates are based, in part, on management’s assumptions concerning future events. Among the more significant assumptions are those that relate to reserves for Card Member credit losses on loans and receivables, Membership Rewards liability, goodwill and income taxes. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ.</span></div>
CY2020	us-gaap	Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment Description PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustmentDescription	CLASSIFICATION OF VARIOUS ITEMSCertain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation, including reclassification of restricted cash from Other assets to Cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Recorded Investment90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment90DaysPastDueAndStillAccruing	226000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Nonperforming Nonaccrual Of Interest LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest	176000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Recorded Investment FinancingReceivableModificationsRecordedInvestment	762000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Recorded Investment FinancingReceivableModificationsRecordedInvestment	3086000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Modified As Troubled Debt Restructuring Out Of Program FinancingReceivablesModifiedAsTroubledDebtRestructuringOutOfProgram	430000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment	3918000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Related Allowance ImpairedFinancingReceivableRelatedAllowance	1346000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Recorded Investment90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment90DaysPastDueAndStillAccruing	428000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Nonperforming Nonaccrual Of Interest LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest	338000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Modified As Troubled Debt Restructuring Out Of Program FinancingReceivablesModifiedAsTroubledDebtRestructuringOutOfProgram	259000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment	1787000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Related Allowance ImpairedFinancingReceivableRelatedAllowance	168000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Recorded Investment90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment90DaysPastDueAndStillAccruing	387000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Nonperforming Nonaccrual Of Interest LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest	279000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Recorded Investment FinancingReceivableModificationsRecordedInvestment	462000000	USD
CY2018Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Modified As Troubled Debt Restructuring Out Of Program FinancingReceivablesModifiedAsTroubledDebtRestructuringOutOfProgram	198000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment	1326000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Related Allowance ImpairedFinancingReceivableRelatedAllowance	101000000	USD
CY2018Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Non Accrual Status FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountNonAccrualStatus	6000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Over Ninety Days Accrual Of Interest FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountOverNinetyDaysAccrualOfInterest	32000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Over Ninety Days Accrual Of Interest FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountOverNinetyDaysAccrualOfInterest	26000000	USD
CY2018Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Over Ninety Days Accrual Of Interest FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountOverNinetyDaysAccrualOfInterest	17000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Non Accrual Status FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountNonAccrualStatus	11000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Non Accrual Status FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountNonAccrualStatus	10000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount In Compliance FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountInCompliance	316000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount In Compliance FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountInCompliance	188000000	USD
CY2018Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount In Compliance FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountInCompliance	148000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Not In Compliance FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountNotInCompliance	114000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Not In Compliance FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountNotInCompliance	72000000	USD
CY2018Q4	axp	Financing Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Not In Compliance FinancingReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountNotInCompliance	50000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Number Of Contracts2 FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2	328000	account
CY2020	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Post Modification Recorded Investment2 FinancingReceivableModificationsPostModificationRecordedInvestment2	3894000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Number Of Contracts2 FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2	87000	account
CY2019	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Post Modification Recorded Investment2 FinancingReceivableModificationsPostModificationRecordedInvestment2	812000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Number Of Contracts2 FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2	57000	account
CY2018	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Post Modification Recorded Investment2 FinancingReceivableModificationsPostModificationRecordedInvestment2	487000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Subsequent Default Recorded Investment1 FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultRecordedInvestment1	57000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Subsequent Default Number Of Contracts1 FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultNumberOfContracts1	23000	account
CY2020	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Subsequent Default Recorded Investment1 FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultRecordedInvestment1	188000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Subsequent Default Number Of Contracts1 FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultNumberOfContracts1	16000	account
CY2019	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Subsequent Default Recorded Investment1 FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultRecordedInvestment1	106000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Subsequent Default Number Of Contracts1 FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultNumberOfContracts1	12000	account
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Accrued Interest After Allowance For Credit Loss DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss	26000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Accrued Interest After Allowance For Credit Loss DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss	20000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Equity Securities Fv Ni Cost EquitySecuritiesFvNiCost	56000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Equity Securities Fvni Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain EquitySecuritiesFVNIAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGain	27000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Equity Securities Fvni Accumulated Gross Unrealized Losses EquitySecuritiesFVNIAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLosses	2000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Equity Securities Fv Ni EquitySecuritiesFvNi	81000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Equity Securities Fv Ni Cost EquitySecuritiesFvNiCost	55000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Equity Securities Fvni Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain EquitySecuritiesFVNIAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGain	25000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Equity Securities Fvni Accumulated Gross Unrealized Losses EquitySecuritiesFVNIAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLosses	2000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Equity Securities Fv Ni EquitySecuritiesFvNi	78000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Debtand Equity Securities Availableforsale Amortized Cost DebtandEquitySecuritiesAvailableforsaleAmortizedCost	21521000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Debt And Equity Securities Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain DebtAndEquitySecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGain	112000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Debt And Equity Securities Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss DebtAndEquitySecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLoss	2000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Debtand Equity Securities Availableforsale DebtandEquitySecuritiesAvailableforsale	21631000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Debtand Equity Securities Availableforsale Amortized Cost DebtandEquitySecuritiesAvailableforsaleAmortizedCost	8339000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Debt And Equity Securities Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain DebtAndEquitySecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGain	71000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Debt And Equity Securities Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss DebtAndEquitySecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLoss	4000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Debtand Equity Securities Availableforsale DebtandEquitySecuritiesAvailableforsale	8406000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Unrealized Loss Position Number Of Positions DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionNumberOfPositions	0	security
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months	18000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Accumulated Loss DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss	1000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger	324000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Accumulated Loss DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss	1000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Unrealized Loss Position Number Of Positions DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionNumberOfPositions	0	security
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Number Of Positions DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions	2	security
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months	18000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Accumulated Loss DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss	1000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Number Of Positions DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerNumberOfPositions	3	security
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger	324000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Accumulated Loss DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss	1000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Unrealized Loss Position Number Of Positions DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionNumberOfPositions	5	security
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Unrealized Loss Position DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition	342000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Debt Securities Available For Sale Unrealized Loss Position Accumulated Loss DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss	2000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue	19703000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue	1654000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Five Through Ten Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsFairValue	62000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Ten Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsFairValue	131000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	21550000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearAmortizedCost	19685000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost	1598000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Five Through Ten Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsAmortizedCost	55000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Ten Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsAmortizedCost	127000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis	21465000000	USD
CY2020	axp	Weighted Average Debt Maturities Due Within One Year Rate WeightedAverageDebtMaturitiesDueWithinOneYearRate	0.0031
CY2020	axp	Weighted Average Debt Maturities Due After One Year But Within Five Years Rate WeightedAverageDebtMaturitiesDueAfterOneYearButWithinFiveYearsRate	0.0187
CY2020	axp	Weighted Average Debt Maturities Due After Five Years But Within Ten Years Rate WeightedAverageDebtMaturitiesDueAfterFiveYearsButWithinTenYearsRate	0.0553
CY2020	axp	Weighted Average Debt Maturities Due After Ten Years Rate WeightedAverageDebtMaturitiesDueAfterTenYearsRate	0.0406
CY2020	axp	Weighted Average Yields WeightedAverageYields	0.0046
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.21
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	3852000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	3315000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet	265000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet	267000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Remaining Other Assets RemainingOtherAssets	13562000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Remaining Other Assets RemainingOtherAssets	10635000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets OtherAssets	17679000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets OtherAssets	14217000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	3072000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Goodwill Acquired During Period GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod	255000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Goodwill Written Off Related To Sale Of Business Unit GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Goodwill Translation And Purchase Accounting Adjustments GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments	-12000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	3315000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Goodwill Acquired During Period GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod	494000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Goodwill Written Off Related To Sale Of Business Unit GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Goodwill Translation And Purchase Accounting Adjustments GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments	43000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	3852000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Impaired Accumulated Impairment Loss GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss	221000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Impaired Accumulated Impairment Loss GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss	221000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross	759000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross	704000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	494000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	437000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Amortization Of Intangible Assets AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	54000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Amortization Of Intangible Assets AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	49000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Amortization Of Intangible Assets AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	212000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Noncurrent OtherAssetsNoncurrent	1147000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Noncurrent OtherAssetsNoncurrent	1154000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Amortization Method Qualified Affordable Housing Project Investments AmortizationMethodQualifiedAffordableHousingProjectInvestments	1095000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Amortization Method Qualified Affordable Housing Project Investments AmortizationMethodQualifiedAffordableHousingProjectInvestments	1109000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	85583000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	72445000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	599000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	415000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	19000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	23000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	674000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	404000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Deposits	86875000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Deposits	73287000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Domestic Deposit Savings InterestBearingDomesticDepositSavings	63512000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Domestic Deposit Savings InterestBearingDomesticDepositSavings	46394000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Domestic Deposit Certificates Of Deposits InterestBearingDomesticDepositCertificatesOfDeposits	2440000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Domestic Deposit Certificates Of Deposits InterestBearingDomesticDepositCertificatesOfDeposits	1854000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Third Party Certificates Of Deposit ThirdPartyCertificatesOfDeposit	8076000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Third Party Sweep Accounts ThirdPartySweepAccounts	14070000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Third Party Sweep Accounts ThirdPartySweepAccounts	16121000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Noninterestbearing Domestic Deposit Other NoninterestbearingDomesticDepositOther	23000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Noninterestbearing Domestic Deposit Other NoninterestbearingDomesticDepositOther	26000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Foreign DepositsForeign	22000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Foreign DepositsForeign	26000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Deposits	86875000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Deposits	73287000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year One TimeDepositMaturitiesYearOne	3828000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Two TimeDepositMaturitiesYearTwo	3053000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Three TimeDepositMaturitiesYearThree	645000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Four TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFour	276000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Five TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFive	207000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities After Year Five TimeDepositMaturitiesAfterYearFive	0	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits TimeDeposits	8009000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits At Or Above Fdic Insurance Limit TimeDepositsAtOrAboveFDICInsuranceLimit	931000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits At Or Above Fdic Insurance Limit TimeDepositsAtOrAboveFDICInsuranceLimit	626000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Short Term Borrowings ShortTermBorrowings	1878000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Short Term Borrowings ShortTermBorrowings	6442000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Averagecommercialpaperoutstanding Averagecommercialpaperoutstanding	628000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Averagecommercialpaperoutstanding Averagecommercialpaperoutstanding	299000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Next Twelve Months LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths	11829000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Two LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo	14192000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Three LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree	7132000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Four LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour	5007000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Five LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive	750000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal After Year Five LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive	4132000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Carrying Amount DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount	43042000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense	64000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet	648000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Long Term Impact Debt Due To Fair Value Hedge Accounting LongTermImpactDebtDueToFairValueHedgeAccounting	622000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt LongTermDebt	42952000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity	3500000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity	3500000000	USD
CY2020	axp	Debt Instrument Restrictive Covenants Combined Earnings Certain Capital Contributions And Fixed Charges To Fixed Charges DebtInstrumentRestrictiveCovenantsCombinedEarningsCertainCapitalContributionsAndFixedChargesToFixedCharges	1.25
CY2020	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Commitment Fee Amount LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount	14200000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Commitment Fee Amount LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount	16500000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Interest Paid InterestPaid	2000000000.0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Interest Paid InterestPaid	3400000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Interest Paid InterestPaid	2700000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Membership Rewards Liabilities MembershipRewardsLiabilities	9750000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Membership Rewards Liabilities MembershipRewardsLiabilities	8892000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Employee Related Liabilities Current EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent	2336000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Employee Related Liabilities Current EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent	2429000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Rebate And Reward Accruals RebateAndRewardAccruals	1367000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Rebate And Reward Accruals RebateAndRewardAccruals	1790000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Income Taxes And Other Tax Liabilities Noncurrent DeferredIncomeTaxesAndOtherTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent	943000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Income Taxes And Other Tax Liabilities Noncurrent DeferredIncomeTaxesAndOtherTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent	1122000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities DeferredCreditsAndOtherLiabilities	12838000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities DeferredCreditsAndOtherLiabilities	10715000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities OtherLiabilities	27234000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities OtherLiabilities	24948000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Us Tax Act Deemed Repatriation Tax Estimate USTaxActDeemedRepatriationTaxEstimate	1012000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Us Tax Act Deemed Repatriation Tax Estimate USTaxActDeemedRepatriationTaxEstimate	1012000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Deferred Card And Other Fees DeferredCardAndOtherFees	2639000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Deferred Card And Other Fees DeferredCardAndOtherFees	2532000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Costs Credit Card Origination Costs Amount DeferredCostsCreditCardOriginationCostsAmount	166000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Costs Credit Card Origination Costs Amount DeferredCostsCreditCardOriginationCostsAmount	270000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Reserves For Membership Cancellations ReservesForMembershipCancellations	-191000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Reserves For Membership Cancellations ReservesForMembershipCancellations	-200000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Deferred Card And Other Fees Net DeferredCardAndOtherFeesNet	2282000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Deferred Card And Other Fees Net DeferredCardAndOtherFeesNet	2062000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	14000000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	67000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	69000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	9000000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	12000000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	247000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	280000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	288000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	59000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	4172000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	72.70
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Gross ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross	422000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	131.68
CY2020	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	822000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	53.50
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod	21000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	65.43
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expirations In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod	0	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Expirations In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	0
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	3751000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	83.59
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber	3751000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	83.59
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Exercisable Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableNumber	2706000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice	72.26
CY2020	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term2 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2	P5Y3M18D
CY2020	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1	P4Y2M12D
CY2020	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1	P5Y3M18D
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue	145000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Exercisable Intrinsic Value1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1	132000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Aggregate Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue	145000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Next Twelve Months LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths	141000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Lease Expense OperatingLeaseExpense	177000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Expense OperatingLeaseExpense	151000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Operating Lease Expense OperatingLeaseExpense	142000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term1 OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1	P19Y
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Discount Rate Percent OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent	0.03
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Two LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo	140000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Three LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree	133000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Four LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour	125000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive	107000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due After Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive	1024000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue	1670000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	343000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Fair Value Gross Liability DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability	90000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Undiscounted Excess Amount LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount	566000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability OperatingLeaseLiability	1104000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Contingent Obligations Co Brand Partners ContingentObligationsCoBrandPartners	4000000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	629000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	702000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	440000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Fair Value Gross Liability DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability	98000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liability Fair Value Gross Asset DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset	98000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liability Fair Value Gross Asset DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset	90000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Collateral Obligation To Return Cash Offset DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset	500000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Collateral Obligation To Return Cash Offset DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset	185000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liability Collateral Right To Reclaim Cash Offset DerivativeLiabilityCollateralRightToReclaimCashOffset	16000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liability Collateral Right To Reclaim Cash Offset DerivativeLiabilityCollateralRightToReclaimCashOffset	9000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	31000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	68000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liabilities DerivativeLiabilities	588000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liabilities DerivativeLiabilities	341000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Margin On Interest Rate Swap Not Netted MarginOnInterestRateSwapNotNetted	-34000000	USD
CY2019Q4	axp	Margin On Interest Rate Swap Not Netted MarginOnInterestRateSwapNotNetted	-47000000	USD
CY2020	axp	Net Increase Reduction To Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other Related To Net Settlements On Fair Value Hedges NetIncreaseReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges	-256000000	USD
CY2019	axp	Net Increase Reduction To Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other Related To Net Settlements On Fair Value Hedges NetIncreaseReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges	102000000	USD
CY2018	axp	Net Increase Reduction To Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other Related To Net Settlements On Fair Value Hedges NetIncreaseReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges	51000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	1000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	1000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Equity Securities Fv Ni EquitySecuritiesFvNi	81000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Equity Securities Fv Ni EquitySecuritiesFvNi	78000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	21550000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	8328000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	629000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	343000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Assets Fair Value Disclosure AssetsFairValueDisclosure	22260000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Assets Fair Value Disclosure AssetsFairValueDisclosure	8749000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	702000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	440000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	702000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	440000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	3600000000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Maximum Exposure GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure	1000000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Current Carrying Value GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue	24000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Maximum Exposure GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure	1000000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Current Carrying Value GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue	29000000	USD
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CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	3600000000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	3600000000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	150000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Capital Shares Reserved For Future Issuance CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance	23000000	shares
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CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	810000000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	847000000	shares
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	859000000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	7000000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	40000000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	15000000	shares
CY2020	axp	Common Stock Shares Other CommonStockSharesOther	2000000	shares
CY2019	axp	Common Stock Shares Other CommonStockSharesOther	3000000	shares
CY2018	axp	Common Stock Shares Other CommonStockSharesOther	3000000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	805000000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	810000000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	847000000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	7000000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	40000000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	15000000	shares
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CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Stock Repurchase Program Remaining Number Of Shares Authorized To Be Repurchased StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased	102000000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares TreasuryStockShares	2500000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares TreasuryStockShares	2600000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares TreasuryStockShares	2700000	shares
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CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Carrying Basis TreasuryStockCarryingBasis	292000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Carrying Basis TreasuryStockCarryingBasis	207000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Authorized PreferredStockSharesAuthorized	20000000	shares
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CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax	-81000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax	-45000000	USD
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CY2019	axp	Delinquency Fees DelinquencyFees	1028000000	USD
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CY2020	axp	Foreign Exchange Conversion Fees ForeignExchangeConversionFees	433000000	USD
CY2019	axp	Foreign Exchange Conversion Fees ForeignExchangeConversionFees	982000000	USD
CY2020	axp	Loyalty Partner LoyaltyPartner	435000000	USD
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CY2020	axp	Travelcommissionsandfees Travelcommissionsandfees	102000000	USD
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CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	197000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	639000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	437000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	681000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	2100000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1821000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	901000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-931000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-119000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	78000000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-62000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1161000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1670000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1201000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.21
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CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.21
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.210
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CY2019	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Foreign Currency Translation UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromForeignCurrencyTranslation	10000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	24000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	74000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	15000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Foreign Currency Translation UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromForeignCurrencyTranslation	1000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Foreign Currency Translation UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromForeignCurrencyTranslation	0	USD
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CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	790000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	726000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued	350000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued	70000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	701000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	800000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	700000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	700000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	580000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	623000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	599000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Amount Of Unrecorded Benefit SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleAmountOfUnrecordedBenefit	130000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Amount Of Unrecorded Benefit SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleAmountOfUnrecordedBenefit	130000000	USD
CY2020Q4	axp	Significantchangeinunrecognizedtaxbenefitspossibleimpact Significantchangeinunrecognizedtaxbenefitspossibleimpact	110000000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense	5000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense	-18000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Dividends Preferred Stock DividendsPreferredStock	79000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	3056000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	6678000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	6841000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	-20000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	-47000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	-54000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Diluted NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted	3036000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Diluted NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted	6631000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Diluted NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted	6787000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	805000000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	828000000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Call Options And Warrants IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToCallOptionsAndWarrants	1000000	shares
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CY2020	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	806000000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	830000000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	859000000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	3.77
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CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	7.99
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	7.91
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CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets	0.080
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CY2020	us-gaap	Concentration Risk Credit Risk Financial Instrument Maximum Exposure ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentMaximumExposure	177000000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Concentration Risk Credit Risk Financial Instrument Maximum Exposure ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentMaximumExposure	185000000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	21974000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Operating InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating	10083000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	2098000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	36087000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	3135000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	191000000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Noninterest Income NoninterestIncome	34936000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	28159000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Operating InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating	12084000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	3464000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	43556000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	6759000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	198000000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Noninterest Income NoninterestIncome	32675000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	26607000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Operating InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating	10606000000	USD
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	189000000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	36087000000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	8429000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	40338000000	USD
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CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	9351000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	8751000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7675000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	10310000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	11365000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	10989000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	10838000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Revenues Net Of Interest Expense RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	10364000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1858000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1364000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	622000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	452000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1986000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	2266000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	2219000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1958000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1438000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1073000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	257000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	367000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1693000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1755000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1761000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1550000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.76
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.31
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.29
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.41
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.04
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.09
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.07
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CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.03
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.08
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.07
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.80
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.43
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.43
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.43
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CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.39
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.43
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.43
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.43
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	-9000000	USD
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CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	-2000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	-12000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	-11000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	-13000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	-11000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Dividends Preferred Stock DividendsPreferredStock	14000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Dividends Preferred Stock DividendsPreferredStock	16000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Dividends Preferred Stock DividendsPreferredStock	17000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Dividends Preferred Stock DividendsPreferredStock	32000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Dividends Preferred Stock DividendsPreferredStock	20000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Dividends Preferred Stock DividendsPreferredStock	21000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Dividends Preferred Stock DividendsPreferredStock	19000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Dividends Preferred Stock DividendsPreferredStock	21000000	USD

Files In Submission

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$AXP
AMERICAN EXPRESS CO Stock $axp

2020 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000000496221000013 Filed on February 12, 2021

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$AXP AMERICAN EXPRESS CO Stock $axp

2020 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000000496221000013 Filed on February 12, 2021

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$AXP
AMERICAN EXPRESS CO Stock $axp