$AXP
AMERICAN EXPRESS CO Stock $axp

$axp Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2011 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312512077400 Filed on February 24, 2012

Income Statement

Concept	2011	2010 Q4	2010 Q3
Revenue	$6.696B	$7.849B	$1.794B
YoY Change	-75.93%	11.32%	-72.65%
Cost Of Revenue	$9.254B	$1.501B	$1.404B
YoY Change	15.47%	13.54%	25.69%
Gross Profit	$23.03B	$6.348B	$6.179B
YoY Change	4.72%	10.8%	13.54%
Gross Profit Margin	343.91%	80.88%	344.43%
Selling, General & Admin	$14.26B	$3.838B	$3.389B
YoY Change	5.93%	19.27%	20.22%
% of Gross Profit	61.93%	60.46%	54.85%
Research & Development
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Depreciation & Amortization	$918.0M	$228.0M	$248.0M
YoY Change	0.11%	-22.18%	18.66%
% of Gross Profit	3.99%	3.59%	4.01%
Operating Expenses	$16.63B	$4.267B	$3.929B
YoY Change	-1.45%	1.43%	-5.17%
Operating Profit	$6.394B	$2.081B	$2.250B
YoY Change	25.08%	36.73%	73.21%
Interest Expense	$2.320B	-$604.0M	$610.0M
YoY Change	-4.25%	7.66%	-260.1%
% of Operating Profit	36.28%	-29.02%	27.11%
Other Income/Expense, Net
YoY Change
Pretax Income	$6.956B	$1.477B	$1.640B
YoY Change	16.63%	53.69%	78.65%
Income Tax	$2.057B	$415.0M	$547.0M
% Of Pretax Income	29.57%	28.1%	33.35%
Net Earnings	$4.935B	$1.062B	$1.093B
YoY Change	21.64%	48.32%	70.78%
Net Earnings / Revenue	73.7%	13.53%	60.93%
Basic Earnings Per Share	$4.14	$0.88	$0.91
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$4.12	$0.88	$0.90
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding	1.178B shares		1.193B shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding	1.184B shares		1.199B shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2011	2010 Q4	2010 Q3
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments	$3.514B	$2.145B	$2.159B
YoY Change	63.82%	40.66%	26.7%
Cash & Equivalents		$654.0M
Short-Term Investments
Other Short-Term Assets	$2.378B
YoY Change	31.96%
Inventory
Prepaid Expenses
Receivables	$40.45B	$36.88B	$34.75B
Other Receivables	$3.657B	$3.554B	$3.281B
Total Short-Term Assets	$50.00B	$42.58B	$40.19B
YoY Change	12.66%	7.17%	10.12%
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$3.367B	$2.905B	$2.799B
YoY Change	15.9%	4.42%	1.45%
Goodwill		$2.639B
YoY Change		13.36%
Intangibles
YoY Change
Long-Term Investments	$28.53B	$28.22B	$36.35B
YoY Change	1.08%	-28.39%	-10.78%
Other Assets	$3.459B	$3.759B	$1.374B
YoY Change	-54.3%	71.49%
Total Long-Term Assets	$103.3B	$104.1B	$105.9B
YoY Change	1.0%	21.89%	26.11%
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets	$50.00B	$42.58B	$40.19B
Total Long-Term Assets	$103.3B	$104.1B	$105.9B
Total Assets	$153.3B	$146.7B	$146.1B
YoY Change	4.53%	17.22%	21.26%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable	$10.46B	$9.691B	$10.51B
YoY Change	7.91%	6.93%	19.7%
Accrued Expenses
YoY Change
Deferred Revenue
YoY Change
Short-Term Debt	$44.41B	$3.414B	$30.28B
YoY Change	29.39%	45.65%	16.19%
Long-Term Debt Due
YoY Change
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$54.87B	$42.83B	$40.79B
YoY Change	24.66%	13.62%	17.07%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$59.57B	$66.42B	$68.83B
YoY Change	-10.31%	26.9%	30.23%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$20.10B	$21.21B	$20.51B
YoY Change	0.38%	2.44%	9.08%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$79.67B	$87.63B	$89.34B
YoY Change	-7.83%	19.97%	24.68%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$54.87B	$42.83B	$40.79B
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$79.67B	$87.63B	$89.34B
Total Liabilities	$134.5B	$130.5B	$130.1B
YoY Change	3.13%	17.81%	22.19%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings		$4.972B
YoY Change
Common Stock		$238.0M
YoY Change
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)
YoY Change
Treasury Stock Shares
Shareholders Equity	$18.79B	$18.79B	$15.92B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$153.3B	$146.7B	$146.1B
YoY Change	4.53%	17.22%	21.26%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2011	2010 Q4	2010 Q3
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$4.935B	$1.062B	$1.093B
YoY Change	21.64%	48.32%	70.78%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization	$918.0M	$228.0M	$248.0M
YoY Change	0.11%	-22.18%	18.66%
Cash From Operating Activities	$10.48B	$1.502B	$2.777B
YoY Change	17.24%	5.4%	20.16%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures	$1.189B	-$286.0M	-$263.0M
YoY Change	35.42%	1.78%	67.52%
Acquisitions
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	$698.0M	-$6.241B	$76.00M
YoY Change	-298.86%	0.87%	-108.11%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$491.0M	-$6.527B	-$187.0M
YoY Change	-60.05%	0.91%	-82.91%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid	$861.0M
YoY Change	-0.69%
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net	$1.706B
YoY Change	-2436.99%
Debt Paid & Issued, Net	$21.03B
YoY Change	19.01%
Cash From Financing Activities	-$1.384B	7.000M	-2.048B
YoY Change	-82.88%	-99.64%	-200.34%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	$10.48B	1.502B	2.777B
Cash From Investing Activities	-$491.0M	-6.527B	-187.0M
Cash From Financing Activities	-$1.384B	7.000M	-2.048B
Net Change In Cash	$8.600B	-5.018B	542.0M
YoY Change	-2375.13%	62.18%	-83.36%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	$10.48B	$1.502B	$2.777B
Capital Expenditures	$1.189B	-$286.0M	-$263.0M
Free Cash Flow	$9.286B	$1.788B	$3.040B
YoY Change	15.25%	4.81%	23.18%

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
CY2011	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	AMERICAN EXPRESS CO
CY2011	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0000004962
CY2011	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-K
CY2011	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2011-12-31
CY2011	dei	Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag	false
CY2011	dei	Document Fiscal Year Focus DocumentFiscalYearFocus	2011
CY2011	dei	Document Fiscal Period Focus DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus	FY
CY2011	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
CY2011	dei	Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer	Yes
CY2011	dei	Entity Voluntary Filers EntityVoluntaryFilers	No
CY2011	dei	Entity Current Reporting Status EntityCurrentReportingStatus	Yes
CY2011	dei	Entity Filer Category EntityFilerCategory	Large Accelerated Filer
CY2011Q2	dei	Entity Public Float EntityPublicFloat	61700000	USD
CY2012Q1	dei	Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding	1201902244	shares
CY2009	axp	Preferred Share Dividends And Related Accretion PreferredShareDividendsAndRelatedAccretion	94000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Earnings Allocated To Participating Share Awards And Other Items EarningsAllocatedToParticipatingShareAwardsAndOtherItems	22000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Earnings Allocated To Participating Share Awards And Other Items EarningsAllocatedToParticipatingShareAwardsAndOtherItems	58000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Earnings Allocated To Participating Share Awards And Other Items EarningsAllocatedToParticipatingShareAwardsAndOtherItems	51000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Discount Revenue DiscountRevenue	16734000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Discount Revenue DiscountRevenue	14880000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Discount Revenue DiscountRevenue	13202000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Net Card Fees NetCardFees	2151000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Net Card Fees NetCardFees	2102000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Net Card Fees NetCardFees	2183000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Travel Commissions And Fees TravelCommissionsAndFees	1971000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Travel Commissions And Fees TravelCommissionsAndFees	1773000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Travel Commissions And Fees TravelCommissionsAndFees	1591000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Fees And Commissions Other FeesAndCommissionsOther	1778000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Fees And Commissions Other FeesAndCommissionsOther	2031000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Fees And Commissions Other FeesAndCommissionsOther	2269000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Securitization Income Net SecuritizationIncomeNet	0	USD
CY2010	axp	Securitization Income Net SecuritizationIncomeNet	0	USD
CY2009	axp	Securitization Income Net SecuritizationIncomeNet	400000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Noninterest Income Other Operating Income NoninterestIncomeOtherOperatingIncome	2090000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Noninterest Income Other Operating Income NoninterestIncomeOtherOperatingIncome	1927000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Noninterest Income Other Operating Income NoninterestIncomeOtherOperatingIncome	2164000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Noninterest Income NoninterestIncome	25321000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Noninterest Income NoninterestIncome	22713000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Noninterest Income NoninterestIncome	21212000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Interest And Fee Income Loans And Leases InterestAndFeeIncomeLoansAndLeases	4468000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest And Fee Income Loans And Leases InterestAndFeeIncomeLoansAndLeases	6783000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest And Fee Income Loans And Leases InterestAndFeeIncomeLoansAndLeases	6537000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Securities InterestAndDividendIncomeSecurities	327000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Securities InterestAndDividendIncomeSecurities	443000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Securities InterestAndDividendIncomeSecurities	804000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Interest Income Deposits With Financial Institutions InterestIncomeDepositsWithFinancialInstitutions	59000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Income Deposits With Financial Institutions InterestIncomeDepositsWithFinancialInstitutions	66000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Income Deposits With Financial Institutions InterestIncomeDepositsWithFinancialInstitutions	97000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Operating InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating	6961000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Operating InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating	7292000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Operating InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating	5331000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Interest Expense Deposits InterestExpenseDeposits	425000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Expense Deposits InterestExpenseDeposits	546000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Expense Deposits InterestExpenseDeposits	528000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Expense Short Term Borrowings InterestExpenseShortTermBorrowings	11000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Expense Short Term Borrowings InterestExpenseShortTermBorrowings	3000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Interest Expense Short Term Borrowings InterestExpenseShortTermBorrowings	37000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other InterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOther	1745000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Provision For Loan Lease And Other Losses ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses	2207000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	3.37
CY2010	axp	Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other InterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOther	1874000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other InterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOther	1781000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	2320000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	2423000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	2207000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Interest Income Expense Net InterestIncomeExpenseNet	3124000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Income Expense Net InterestIncomeExpenseNet	4869000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Income Expense Net InterestIncomeExpenseNet	4641000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	29962000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	27582000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	24336000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	857000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	595000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	770000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Provision For Loan And Lease Losses ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	253000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Provision For Loan And Lease Losses ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	1527000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Provision For Loan And Lease Losses ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	4266000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Provision For Other Losses ProvisionForOtherLosses	190000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Provision For Other Losses ProvisionForOtherLosses	85000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Provision For Other Losses ProvisionForOtherLosses	89000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Provision For Loan Lease And Other Losses ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses	1112000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Provision For Loan Lease And Other Losses ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses	5313000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense After Provisions For Losses TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAfterProvisionsForLosses	19023000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense After Provisions For Losses TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAfterProvisionsForLosses	25375000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense After Provisions For Losses TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAfterProvisionsForLosses	28850000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Marketing Promotion Rewards And Cardmember Services MarketingPromotionRewardsAndCardmemberServices	9930000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Marketing Promotion Rewards And Cardmember Services MarketingPromotionRewardsAndCardmemberServices	8738000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Marketing Promotion Rewards And Cardmember Services MarketingPromotionRewardsAndCardmemberServices	6563000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Labor And Related Expense LaborAndRelatedExpense	5080000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Labor And Related Expense LaborAndRelatedExpense	5566000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Labor And Related Expense LaborAndRelatedExpense	6252000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Professional Fees ProfessionalFees	2951000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Professional Fees ProfessionalFees	2806000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Professional Fees ProfessionalFees	2408000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Noninterest Expense OtherNoninterestExpense	2131000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Noninterest Expense OtherNoninterestExpense	2301000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Noninterest Expense OtherNoninterestExpense	2761000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Noninterest Expense NoninterestExpense	21894000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Noninterest Expense NoninterestExpense	19411000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Noninterest Expense NoninterestExpense	16182000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	2841000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	5964000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	6956000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	2057000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.54
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1907000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	704000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	2137000000	USD
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CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	4899000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	36000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	-7000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2130000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	4057000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	4935000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	4.11
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	3.37
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.55
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	-0.01
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.03
CY2011	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	4.14
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.54
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	3.35
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	4.09
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.03
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2009	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.54
CY2010	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	3.35
CY2011	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	4.12
CY2011	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	1178000000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	1188000000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	1168000000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	1171000000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	1195000000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	1184000000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposits In Banks InterestBearingDepositsInBanks	13557000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposits In Banks InterestBearingDepositsInBanks	20572000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	807000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	654000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Federal Funds Sold CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold	16356000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Federal Funds Sold CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold	24893000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Net AccountsReceivableNet	40452000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Net AccountsReceivableNet	36880000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Receivables OtherReceivables	3554000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Receivables OtherReceivables	3657000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Net Reported Amount LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount	60747000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Net Reported Amount LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount	57204000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Net Reported Amount Other LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountOther	412000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Net Reported Amount Other LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountOther	419000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities AvailableForSaleSecurities	7147000000	USD
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CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities AvailableForSaleSecurities	14010000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	232000000	USD
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CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	2905000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	3367000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets OtherAssets	12655000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets OtherAssets	15368000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	146689000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	153337000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Deposits	37898000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Deposits	29727000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Travelers Cheques Outstanding TravelersChequesOutstanding	5618000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Travelers Cheques Outstanding TravelersChequesOutstanding	5123000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current And Noncurrent AccountsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent	10458000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current And Noncurrent AccountsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent	9691000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Short Term Borrowings ShortTermBorrowings	3414000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Short Term Borrowings ShortTermBorrowings	3424000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities OtherLiabilities	15593000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities OtherLiabilities	18070000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	134543000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	130459000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	238000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Additional Paid In Capital AdditionalPaidInCapital	11937000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	4972000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	7221000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	288000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	57000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax	-7000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax	-1000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-682000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-503000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	464000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	481000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-876000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-917000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	16230000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	18794000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	153337000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	146689000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Due From Banks CashAndDueFromBanks	3514000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Due From Banks CashAndDueFromBanks	2145000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResell	372000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	386000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Other Receivables Reserves OtherReceivablesReserves	175000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance	3646000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Other Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableOtherAllowance	24000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	301000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInOtherReceivables	-663000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	-526000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	635000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndOtherOperatingLiabilities	2893000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndOtherOperatingLiabilities	1737000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	0	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	3600000000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	1197000000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	1197000000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	3600000000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance	1874000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Other Receivables Reserves OtherReceivablesReserves	102000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	438000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	1164000000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.20
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	1164000000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	4747000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Other Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableOtherAllowance	18000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResell	470000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax	-168000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax	459000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Plans Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPlansTax	233000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax	1000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax	-19000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax	4000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Plans Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPlansTax	226000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax	405000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt LongTermDebt	59570000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt LongTermDebt	66416000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Depreciation Amortization And Accretion Net DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet	1070000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Depreciation Amortization And Accretion Net DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet	917000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Depreciation Amortization And Accretion Net DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet	918000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Deferred Taxes And Other DeferredTaxesAndOther	818000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Deferred Taxes And Other DeferredTaxesAndOther	1135000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	230000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	287000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	0	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	6337000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	8935000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	10475000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	1176000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	2196000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	2930000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	2900000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-491000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Deposits IncreaseDecreaseInDeposits	11037000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Deposits IncreaseDecreaseInDeposits	3406000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Deposits IncreaseDecreaseInDeposits	8232000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	12066000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	6074000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	1158000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Loans And Leases PaymentsForProceedsFromLoansAndLeases	-6154000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Loans And Leases PaymentsForProceedsFromLoansAndLeases	8358000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Securitizations Of Credit Cards ProceedsFromSecuritizationsOfCreditCards	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Securitizations Of Credit Cards ProceedsFromSecuritizationsOfCreditCards	0	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Securitizations Of Credit Cards ProceedsFromSecuritizationsOfCreditCards	2244000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Payments For Maturities Of Cardmember Loan Securitizations PaymentsForMaturitiesOfCardmemberLoanSecuritizations	0	USD
CY2011	axp	Payments For Maturities Of Cardmember Loan Securitizations PaymentsForMaturitiesOfCardmemberLoanSecuritizations	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	1189000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsForProceedsFromBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsForProceedsFromBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	610000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash	-3574000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	196000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	-2000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	1056000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	6697000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	5918000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	13982000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	21029000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Preferred Stock And Preference Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Preferred Stock And Preference Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	594000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	663000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	614000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Preferred Stock And Preference Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Preferred Stock And Preference Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Warrants PaymentsForRepurchaseOfWarrants	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Warrants PaymentsForRepurchaseOfWarrants	0	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	2300000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	861000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	40000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-1384000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	7000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	135000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	-63000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	8537000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-243000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-5055000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Deferred Taxes And Other DeferredTaxesAndOther	-1429000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInOtherReceivables	498000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInOtherReceivables	730000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	590000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndOtherOperatingLiabilities	-98000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	-233000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	13719000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	7804000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Loans And Leases PaymentsForProceedsFromLoansAndLeases	6389000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Payments For Maturities Of Cardmember Loan Securitizations PaymentsForMaturitiesOfCardmemberLoanSecuritizations	-4800000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	722000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	878000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsForProceedsFromBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	400000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash	20000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash	1935000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-6752000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-1229000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	-6574000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	15197000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	17670000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Warrants PaymentsForRepurchaseOfWarrants	340000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	590000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	867000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	924000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-4647000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-8084000000	USD
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Federal Funds Sold CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold	21654000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	16000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	9000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	50000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Federal Funds Sold CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold	16599000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Preferred Stock And Preference Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	3389000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Preferred Stock And Preference Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	3389000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Increase Decrease In Travelers Cheques Outstanding IncreaseDecreaseInTravelersChequesOutstanding	-494000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Increase Decrease In Travelers Cheques Outstanding IncreaseDecreaseInTravelersChequesOutstanding	-317000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Increase Decrease In Travelers Cheques Outstanding IncreaseDecreaseInTravelersChequesOutstanding	-449000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.72
CY2010	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.72
CY2011	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.72
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	11841000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-354000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	3024000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Increase In Carrying Amount Of Redeemable Preferred Stock IncreaseInCarryingAmountOfRedeemablePreferredStock	0	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value New Issues StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues	531000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock DividendsCommonStock	855000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	219000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	4167000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	590000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock DividendsCommonStock	-867000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-179000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	4976000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	-2300000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock DividendsCommonStock	-856000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	12637000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Other Changes During Period Primarily Employee Plans And Other OtherChangesDuringPeriodPrimarilyEmployeePlansAndOther	279000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Other Changes During Period Primarily Employee Plans And Other OtherChangesDuringPeriodPrimarilyEmployeePlansAndOther	883000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Other Changes During Period Primarily Employee Plans And Other OtherChangesDuringPeriodPrimarilyEmployeePlansAndOther	744000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Preferred Stock And Preference Stock PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	74000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	1206000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-135000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	231000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	52000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	21000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	6000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-10000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	5000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-17000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	145000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	138000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	205000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Original Maturities Of Cash And Cash Equivalents OriginalMaturitiesOfCashAndCashEquivalents	90 days or less
CY2011	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life Average PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLifeAverage	5
CY2011	axp	Fair Value Level One To Level Two Transfers Amount FairValueLevelOneToLevelTwoTransfersAmount	0	USD
CY2011	axp	Fair Value Level Two To Level One Transfers Amount FairValueLevelTwoToLevelOneTransfersAmount	340000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Equity Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities	360000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities And Other AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesAndOther	6787000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Assets Fair Value Disclosure Recurring AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring	8663000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Equity Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities	475000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities And Other AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesAndOther	13535000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Assets Fair Value Disclosure Recurring AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring	15099000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Financial Instruments Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	108000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Financial Instruments Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	419000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasis	108000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasis	419000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Derivative Financial Instruments Asset FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAsset	1516000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Derivative Financial Instruments Asset FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAsset	1089000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unamortized Loan Commitment And Origination Fees And Unamortized Discounts Or Premiums UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums	134000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unamortized Loan Commitment And Origination Fees And Unamortized Discounts Or Premiums UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums	140000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Loans And Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Non Accrual Status LoansAndReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountNonAccrualStatus	410000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Loans And Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Non Accrual Status LoansAndReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountNonAccrualStatus	655000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Loans And Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Over Ninety Days Accrual Of Interest LoansAndReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountOverNinetyDaysAccrualOfInterest	7000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Loans And Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Over Ninety Days Accrual Of Interest LoansAndReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountOverNinetyDaysAccrualOfInterest	4000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Financingreceivable Modified Through Settlement Program Recorded Investment FinancingreceivableModifiedThroughSettlementProgramRecordedInvestment	5800000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Financing Receivable Modified Through Settlement Program Reserve FinancingReceivableModifiedThroughSettlementProgramReserve	3700000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans Pledged As Collateral LoansPledgedAsCollateral	41900000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Notes Receivable Gross NotesReceivableGross	40890000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Notes Receivable Gross NotesReceivableGross	37266000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Consumer Revolving Credit Card LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard	62621000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Consumer Revolving Credit Card LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard	60850000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Recorded Investment90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment90DaysPastDueAndStillAccruing	131000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Recorded Investment90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment90DaysPastDueAndStillAccruing	185000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Nonperforming Nonaccrual Of Interest LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest	636000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Nonperforming Nonaccrual Of Interest LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest	535000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Recorded Investment FinancingReceivableModificationsRecordedInvestment	918000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Recorded Investment FinancingReceivableModificationsRecordedInvestment	1201000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment	2022000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment	1584000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Unpaid Principal Balance LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedUnpaidPrincipalBalance	1513000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Unpaid Principal Balance LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedUnpaidPrincipalBalance	1925000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Related Allowance ImpairedFinancingReceivableRelatedAllowance	342000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Related Allowance ImpairedFinancingReceivableRelatedAllowance	294000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Accrual Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeAccrualMethod	93000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Average Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableAverageRecordedInvestment	1741000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Accrual Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeAccrualMethod	131000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Average Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableAverageRecordedInvestment	2508000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Financing Receivables Modifications Pre Modification Recorded Investment FinancingReceivablesModificationsPreModificationRecordedInvestment	1512000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Financing Receivables Modifications Post Modification Recorded Investment FinancingReceivablesModificationsPostModificationRecordedInvestment	1452000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Financing Receivables Modifications Number Of Accounts FinancingReceivablesModificationsNumberOfAccounts	197000	Accounts
CY2011	axp	Financing Receivables Modifications Number Of Accounts Defaulted In Tdr Programs FinancingReceivablesModificationsNumberOfAccountsDefaultedInTdrPrograms	52000	Accounts
CY2011	axp	Financing Receivables Defaulted In Tdr Programs Recorded Investment FinancingReceivablesDefaultedInTdrProgramsRecordedInvestment	388000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses Recoveries Of Bad Debts AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRecoveriesOfBadDebts	327000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses Recoveries Of Bad Debts AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRecoveriesOfBadDebts	578000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses Recoveries Of Bad Debts AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRecoveriesOfBadDebts	568000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Valuation Allowances And Reserves Recoveries ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries	357000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Valuation Allowances And Reserves Recoveries ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries	349000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Valuation Allowances And Reserves Recoveries ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries	349000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Reserve For Losses Securitized Loans ReserveForLossesSecuritizedLoans	2.531	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	546000000	USD
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	810000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	915000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Remaining Other Assets RemainingOtherAssets	1582000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Remaining Other Assets RemainingOtherAssets	1315000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	1071000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	2639000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Reserves Additions Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardReservesAdditionsPrincipalAndFees	773000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Reserves Additions Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardReservesAdditionsPrincipalAndFees	603000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Reserves Additions Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardReservesAdditionsPrincipalAndFees	439000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsOther	156000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsOther	167000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsOther	84000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees	-560000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees	-598000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees	-1131000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsOther	10000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsOther	-157000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsOther	-158000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	94000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	174000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	114000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	63000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	118000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	64000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	33649000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	40716000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	37152000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	323000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	320000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	482000000	USD
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance	2570000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Principal Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsPrincipalInterestAndFees	1445000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Principal Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsPrincipalInterestAndFees	4209000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Principal Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsPrincipalInterestAndFees	145000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsOther	108000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsOther	82000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsOther	57000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Principal ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsPrincipal	-2949000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Principal ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsPrincipal	-1720000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Principal ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsPrincipal	-3260000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsInterestAndFees	-359000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsInterestAndFees	-201000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsInterestAndFees	-448000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsOther	-171000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsOther	-104000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsOther	-61000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance	5799000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	721000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	187000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	32051000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	3081000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	1698000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	176000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	744000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	61877000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	279000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	59763000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	3367000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	1087000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities Corporate Debt Obligations Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCorporateDebtObligationsTemporaryLiquidityGuaranteeProgram	600000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities Corporate Debt Obligations Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCorporateDebtObligationsTemporaryLiquidityGuaranteeProgram	1300000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Realized Gain Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Realized Gain Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount	0	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost	6806000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost	13937000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain	416000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain	444000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses1 AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLosses1	75000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses1 AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLosses1	371000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositions	137	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses1 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses1	-371000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue	15000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue	1096000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue	2905000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue	1079000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions Less Than Twelve Months AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsLessThanTwelveMonths	1	shares
CY2010Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions Less Than Twelve Months AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsLessThanTwelveMonths	505	shares
CY2010Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions Twelve Months Or Longer AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsTwelveMonthsOrLonger	146	shares
CY2011Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions Twelve Months Or Longer AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsTwelveMonthsOrLonger	136	shares
CY2010Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositions	651	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue	1111000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue	3984000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Aggregate Losses1 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses1	-2000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Aggregate Losses1 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses1	-159000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses1 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses1	-73000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses1 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses1	-212000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses1 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses1	-75000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	16000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	1000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	226000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	1000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	6000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Net AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet	16000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Net AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet	-5000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Net AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet	225000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearAmortizedCost	973000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost	421000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Five Through Ten Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsAmortizedCost	217000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Ten Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsAmortizedCost	5046000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCost	6657000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue	983000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue	429000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Five Through Ten Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsFairValue	227000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Ten Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsFairValue	5094000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	6733000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life Minimum FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLifeMinimum	1
CY2011	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life Maximum FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLifeMaximum	22
CY2011	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpense	189000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpense	176000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpense	140000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Asset Weighted Average Useful Life AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetWeightedAverageUsefulLife	13
CY2010	us-gaap	Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Asset Weighted Average Useful Life AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetWeightedAverageUsefulLife	8
CY2011Q4	axp	Affordable Housing Partnership Interests AffordableHousingPartnershipInterests	332000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Affordable Housing Partnership Interests AffordableHousingPartnershipInterests	197000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Affordable Housing Partnership Interests Percentage AffordableHousingPartnershipInterestsPercentage	50 percent
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents	584000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	3172000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Five FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFive	120000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents	4172000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Prepaid Expense Current And Noncurrent PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent	2378000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Prepaid Expense Current And Noncurrent PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent	1802000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	2328000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Goodwill Acquired During Period GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod	315000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Goodwill Written Off Related To Sale Of Business Unit GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit	-2000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Goodwill Translation And Purchase Accounting Adjustments GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments	-2000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Goodwill Acquired During Period GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod	559000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Goodwill Written Off Related To Sale Of Business Unit GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit	-1000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Goodwill Translation And Purchase Accounting Adjustments GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments	-25000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross	1668000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	519000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross	1387000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	415000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet	972000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet	1149000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year One FutureAmortizationExpenseYearOne	200000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Two FutureAmortizationExpenseYearTwo	190000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Three FutureAmortizationExpenseYearThree	165000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Four FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFour	146000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Capital Shares Reserved For Future Issuance CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance	90000000	shares
CY2011Q4	axp	Common Shares Remaining Under Share Repurchase Authorizations CommonSharesRemainingUnderShareRepurchaseAuthorizations	38000000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	37271000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	4000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	29053000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	17000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	612000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	11000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	640000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	17000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Deposits Other DepositsOther	627000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Deposits Other DepositsOther	674000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year One TimeDepositMaturitiesYearOne	3703000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Two TimeDepositMaturitiesYearTwo	4821000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Three TimeDepositMaturitiesYearThree	2441000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Four TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFour	267000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Five TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFive	607000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities After Year Five TimeDepositMaturitiesAfterYearFive	222000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits TimeDeposits	12061000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More Domestic TimeDeposits100000OrMoreDomestic	580000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More Foreign TimeDeposits100000OrMoreForeign	304000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More TimeDeposits100000OrMore	884000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More Domestic TimeDeposits100000OrMoreDomestic	689000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More Foreign TimeDeposits100000OrMoreForeign	291000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More TimeDeposits100000OrMore	980000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Paid InterestPaid	2400000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Paid InterestPaid	2400000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Interest Paid InterestPaid	2300000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Subordinated Borrowing Interest Rate SubordinatedBorrowingInterestRate	0.0223	pure
CY2011	axp	Number Of Months Prior To Trigger Determination Date Decline In Tangible Common Equity NumberOfMonthsPriorToTriggerDeterminationDateDeclineInTangibleCommonEquity	18
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity	10600000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity	2900000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity	6500000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Commitment Fee Amount LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount	22200000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Commitment Fee Amount LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount	7700000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity Supporting Commercial Paper Borrowings LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacitySupportingCommercialPaperBorrowings	2900000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity Supporting Commercial Paper Borrowings LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacitySupportingCommercialPaperBorrowings	5700000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Combined Earnings And Fixed Charges To Fixed Charges Ratio Required CombinedEarningsAndFixedChargesToFixedChargesRatioRequired	0.0125	pure
CY2011Q4	axp	Face Amount Of Eligible Notes Draw Downs FaceAmountOfEligibleNotesDrawDowns	3000000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Expiring Amount LineOfCreditFacilityExpiringAmount	2900000000	USD
CY2016Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Expiring Amount LineOfCreditFacilityExpiringAmount	2600000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Financial Convenants Consolidated Tangible Net Worth Required LineOfCreditFacilityFinancialConvenantsConsolidatedTangibleNetWorthRequired	4100000000	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Face Amount Of Eligible Notes Issued FaceAmountOfEligibleNotesIssued	3000000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Convertible Subordinated Debentures Redeemable Percentage Of Principal ConvertibleSubordinatedDebenturesRedeemablePercentageOfPrincipal	1.00	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity	7500000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Percentage Decline In Tangible Common Equity PercentageDeclineInTangibleCommonEquity	less than 4 percent
CY2011Q4	axp	Percentage Of Decline In Tangible Common Equity PercentageOfDeclineInTangibleCommonEquity	0.10	pure
CY2011	axp	Debt Instrument Description Of Variable Rate DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRate	LIBOR + 2.23%
CY2014Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Expiring Amount LineOfCreditFacilityExpiringAmount	2000000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense	-106000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense	-113000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Long Term Debt Gross LongTermDebtGross	58802000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet	-36000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Long Term Impact Debt Due To Fair Value Hedge Accounting LongTermImpactDebtDueToFairValueHedgeAccounting	910000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Membership Rewards Liabilities MembershipRewardsLiabilities	5066000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Employees Related Liabilities EmployeesRelatedLiabilities	2192000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Book Overdraft Balances BookOverdraftBalances	3091000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Rebate Accruals RebateAccruals	1866000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Deferred Charge Card Fees Net DeferredChargeCardFeesNet	1063000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Liabilities Other LiabilitiesOther	4792000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Membership Rewards Liabilities MembershipRewardsLiabilities	4500000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Employees Related Liabilities EmployeesRelatedLiabilities	2026000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Book Overdraft Balances BookOverdraftBalances	1185000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Rebate Accruals RebateAccruals	1555000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Deferred Charge Card Fees Net DeferredChargeCardFeesNet	1036000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Liabilities Other LiabilitiesOther	5291000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Deferred Charge Card And Other Fees DeferredChargeCardAndOtherFees	1228000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Deferred Direct Acquisition Costs DeferredDirectAcquisitionCosts	-75000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Reserves For Membership Cancellations ReservesForMembershipCancellations	-90000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Deferred Charge Card And Other Fees DeferredChargeCardAndOtherFees	1194000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Deferred Direct Acquisition Costs DeferredDirectAcquisitionCosts	-67000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Reserves For Membership Cancellations ReservesForMembershipCancellations	-91000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Net Reduction To Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other Related To Net Settlements On Fair Value Hedges NetReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges	503000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Net Reduction To Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other Related To Net Settlements On Fair Value Hedges NetReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges	522000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Net Reduction To Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other Related To Net Settlements On Fair Value Hedges NetReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges	464000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Authorized PreferredStockSharesAuthorized	20000000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss To Be Reclassified Within Twelve Months CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths	1000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Shares Held In Equity Investment SharesHeldInEquityInvestment	605400000	shares
CY2010Q4	axp	Shares Held In Equity Investment SharesHeldInEquityInvestment	638100000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	53000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	87000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	196000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Maximum Exposure GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure	52000000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Maximum Exposure GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure	68000000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Current Carrying Value GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue	194000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Current Carrying Value GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue	213000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Preferred Stoc Kpar Or Stated Value Per Share Authorized PreferredStocKparOrStatedValuePerShareAuthorized	1.66
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Issued PreferredStockSharesIssued	3390000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Dividend Rate Percentage PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage	0.05	pure
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Class Of Warrant Or Right Number Of Securities Called By Warrants Or Rights ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights	24000000	shares
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Class Of Warrant Or Right Exercise Price Of Warrants Or Rights ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights	20.95
CY2009	axp	Reduction To Earnings Per Share Due To Accelerated Preferred Dividend Accretion ReductionToEarningsPerShareDueToAcceleratedPreferredDividendAccretion	0.18
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Number Of Shares Held TreasuryStockNumberOfSharesHeld	4200000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Number Of Shares Held TreasuryStockNumberOfSharesHeld	4700000	shares
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Number Of Shares Held TreasuryStockNumberOfSharesHeld	5000000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	48000000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	14000000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Carrying Basis TreasuryStockCarryingBasis	217000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Carrying Basis TreasuryStockCarryingBasis	219000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Carrying Basis TreasuryStockCarryingBasis	235000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	3600000000	shares
CY2010Q4	axp	Common Stock Shares Issued And Outstanding CommonStockSharesIssuedAndOutstanding	1197000000	shares
CY2009Q4	axp	Common Stock Shares Issued And Outstanding CommonStockSharesIssuedAndOutstanding	1192000000	shares
CY2008Q4	axp	Common Stock Shares Issued And Outstanding CommonStockSharesIssuedAndOutstanding	1160000000	shares
CY2011	axp	Issuance Repurchases Of Common Shares IssuanceRepurchasesOfCommonShares	-48000000	shares
CY2010	axp	Issuance Repurchases Of Common Shares IssuanceRepurchasesOfCommonShares	-14000000	shares
CY2009	axp	Issuance Repurchases Of Common Shares IssuanceRepurchasesOfCommonShares	22000000	shares
CY2011	axp	Common Stock Shares Other CommonStockSharesOther	15000000	shares
CY2010	axp	Common Stock Shares Other CommonStockSharesOther	19000000	shares
CY2009	axp	Common Stock Shares Other CommonStockSharesOther	10000000	shares
CY2011Q4	axp	Common Stock Shares Issued And Outstanding CommonStockSharesIssuedAndOutstanding	1164000000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Tax Effect Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTaxEffectPeriodIncreaseDecrease	3000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax	-40000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Other Comprehensive Income Net Investment Hedges Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetInvestmentHedgesTaxEffect	-14000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Available For Sale Securities Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax	149000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax	91000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Available For Sale Securities Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax	-272000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Tax Effect Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTaxEffectPeriodIncreaseDecrease	11000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax	22000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Other Comprehensive Income Net Investment Hedges Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetInvestmentHedgesTaxEffect	-396000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax	-617000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Available For Sale Securities Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax	749000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Tax Effect Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTaxEffectPeriodIncreaseDecrease	29000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax	33000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Other Comprehensive Income Net Investment Hedges Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetInvestmentHedgesTaxEffect	0	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax	783000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansTax	-7000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansTax	-28000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansTax	18000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Restructuring And Related Cost Incurred Cost RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost	119000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Restructuring And Related Cost Incurred Cost RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost	96000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment	-27000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Restructuring And Related Cost Incurred Cost RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost	185000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Restructuring And Related Cost Number Of Positions Eliminated RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminated	4000	shares
CY2009	axp	Restructuring And Related Cost Percentage Of Positions Eliminated RestructuringAndRelatedCostPercentageOfPositionsEliminated	0.06	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment	-52000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Restructuring And Related Cost Expected Cost Lower Range RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostLowerRange	5000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Restructuring And Related Cost Expected Cost Upper Range RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostUpperRange	15000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Restructuring And Related Cost Number Of Positions To Be Eliminated RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsToBeEliminated	3200	Positions
CY2010	axp	Net Restructuring And Related Cost Number Of Positions To Be Eliminated NetRestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsToBeEliminated	400	Positions
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	427000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash RestructuringReserveSettledWithCash	-332000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Translation Adjustment RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment	5000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	285000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash RestructuringReserveSettledWithCash	-155000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Translation Adjustment RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment	-11000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	215000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash RestructuringReserveSettledWithCash	-129000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Translation Adjustment RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment	-5000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	200000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment	27000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Restructuring And Related Cost Cost Incurred To Date RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate	558000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Accumulated Earnings To Be Permanently Reinvested Outside United States AccumulatedEarningsToBePermanentlyReinvestedOutsideUnitedStates	7700000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	700000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	800000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	400000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	2300000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued	163000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued	226000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense	-63000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense	31000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense	1000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Quantify Impact Not Possible SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleQuantifyImpactNotPossible	227000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Temporary Differences SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleTemporaryDifferences	867000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Amount Of Unrecorded Benefit SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleAmountOfUnrecordedBenefit	867000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Equity SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleEquity	640000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Tax Adjustments Settlements And Unusual Provisions From Discontinued Operations TaxAdjustmentsSettlementsAndUnusualProvisionsFromDiscontinuedOperations	36000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Open Tax Years By Major Tax Jurisdiction OpenTaxYearsByMajorTaxJurisdiction	2005 through 2007
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	440000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	476000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	480000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	958000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	156000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	434000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1548000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	532000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	110000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	508000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1150000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	661000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	40000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	295000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	996000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	464000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	68000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-23000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	509000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	782000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	78000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-103000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	757000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Settlements EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxSettlements	-0.014	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-231000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	24000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-85000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-292000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	2057000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Income Tax Expense Benefit Discontinued Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDiscontinuedOperations	-36000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	1907000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Income Tax Expense Benefit Discontinued Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDiscontinuedOperations	0	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	704000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Income Tax Expense Benefit Discontinued Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDiscontinuedOperations	4000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.350	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.350	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-0.015	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.026	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Repatriation Of Foreign Earnings EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings	-0.044	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Settlements EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxSettlements	-0.019	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-0.002	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.296	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-0.019	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.027	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Repatriation Of Foreign Earnings EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings	-0.031	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Settlements EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxSettlements	-0.013	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	0.006	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.320	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-0.046	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.027	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Repatriation Of Foreign Earnings EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings	-0.068	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-0.001	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.248	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.350	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals	3435000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefits	760000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	626000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	4821000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	112000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	4709000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Tax Deferred Income DeferredTaxLiabilitiesTaxDeferredIncome	382000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Interests In Financial Assets Continued To Be Held DeferredTaxLiabilitiesInterestsInFinancialAssetsContinuedToBeHeld	39000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other Comprehensive Income DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOtherComprehensiveIncome	25000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	1834000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals	3789000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefits	741000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	290000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	4820000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	104000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	4716000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Tax Deferred Income DeferredTaxLiabilitiesTaxDeferredIncome	36000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Interests In Financial Assets Continued To Be Held DeferredTaxLiabilitiesInterestsInFinancialAssetsContinuedToBeHeld	43000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other Comprehensive Income DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOtherComprehensiveIncome	19000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	1319000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	387000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	375000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	2875000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	3397000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	1013000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	834000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	38000000	shares
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	1176000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	1081000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	1377000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	39000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	182000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	77000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	247000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	403000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	161000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increase Foreign Currency Translations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreaseForeignCurrencyTranslations	1000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increase Foreign Currency Translations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreaseForeignCurrencyTranslations	0	USD
CY2011	axp	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increase Foreign Currency Translations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreaseForeignCurrencyTranslations	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	-457000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	-145000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	-197000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	-97000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	-138000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	-2000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	-19000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	-6000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	-2000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	1223000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Convertible Subordinated Debt ConvertibleSubordinatedDebt	750000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	71000000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	36000000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	19000000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Dividends Preferred Stock DividendsPreferredStock	20000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Call Options And Warrants IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToCallOptionsAndWarrants	6000000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Call Options And Warrants IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToCallOptionsAndWarrants	7000000	shares
CY2009	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Call Options And Warrants IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToCallOptionsAndWarrants	3000000	shares
CY2011Q4	axp	Preferred Shares Dividends Accretion In Recognition Of Remaining Unaccreted Dividends PreferredSharesDividendsAccretionInRecognitionOfRemainingUnaccretedDividends	0	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Preferred Shares Dividends Accretion In Recognition Of Remaining Unaccreted Dividends PreferredSharesDividendsAccretionInRecognitionOfRemainingUnaccretedDividends	0	USD
CY2009Q4	axp	Preferred Shares Dividends Accretion In Recognition Of Remaining Unaccreted Dividends PreferredSharesDividendsAccretionInRecognitionOfRemainingUnaccretedDividends	-306000000	USD
CY2009	axp	Net Income Attributable To Common Shareholders NetIncomeAttributableToCommonShareholders	1802000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Net Income Attributable To Common Shareholders NetIncomeAttributableToCommonShareholders	4006000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Net Income Attributable To Common Shareholders NetIncomeAttributableToCommonShareholders	4877000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	37000000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	40000000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Forfeited In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod	-851000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber	13996000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	28.97
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	45.11
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	30.74
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Forfeited In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	31.44
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	33.69
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	206000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	130000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	11000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Cash Received From Exercise Of Stock Options EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions	503000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Cash Received From Exercise Of Stock Options EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions	619000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Cash Received From Exercise Of Stock Options EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions	83000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit Realized From Exercise Of Stock Options EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions	60000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit Realized From Exercise Of Stock Options EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions	35000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit Realized From Exercise Of Stock Options EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions	2000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	105000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	100000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	81000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	56963000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod	1197000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	-14813000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod	-349000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expirations In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod	-541000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	42457000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	39.54
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	44.78
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	33.97
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	29.24
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expirations In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	44.90
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	41.63
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber	42359000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Exercisable Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableNumber	35275000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	41.64
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice	43.10
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber	15074000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod	4759000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod	-4986000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1	4.7
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue	338000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm	4.2
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Exercisable Intrinsic Value1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1	239	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm	4.7
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Aggregate Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue	337	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Compensation Cost ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationCost	301000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Compensation Cost ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationCost	287000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Compensation Cost ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationCost	230000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Concentration Risk Credit Risk Financial Instrument Maximum Exposure ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentMaximumExposure	142000000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Concentration Risk Credit Risk Financial Instrument Maximum Exposure ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentMaximumExposure	138000000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Unused Lines Of Credit UnusedLinesOfCredit	226000000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost	282000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost	168000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost	326000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Co Brand Portfolio Account Percentage Of Worldwide Billed Business CoBrandPortfolioAccountPercentageOfWorldwideBilledBusiness	0.05	pure
CY2011	axp	Co Brand Portfolio Account Percentage Of Worldwide Cardmember Lending Receivables CoBrandPortfolioAccountPercentageOfWorldwideCardmemberLendingReceivables	0.15	pure
CY2011Q4	axp	Unused Lines Of Credit UnusedLinesOfCredit	238000000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Concentration Risk Credit Risk Financial Instrument Cardmember Receivables And Loans Exposure ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentCardmemberReceivablesAndLoansExposure	98000000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Concentration Risk Credit Risk Financial Instrument Cardmember Receivables And Loans Exposure ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentCardmemberReceivablesAndLoansExposure	104000000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Risk Weighted Assets CapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets	0.100	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Risk Weighted Assets CapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets	0.100	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets	0.080	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears	119000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter	1048000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue	2004000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets	0.080	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Leverage Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Average Assets TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToAverageAssets	0.040	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Leverage Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Average Assets TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToAverageAssets	0.040	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Leverage Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Average Assets TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToAverageAssets	0.050	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Leverage Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Average Assets TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToAverageAssets	0.050	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Risk Based Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Risk Weighted Assets TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets	0.060	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Risk Based Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Risk Weighted Assets TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets	0.060	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Risk Based Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets	0.040	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Risk Based Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets	0.040	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Amount Of Restricted Net Assets For Consolidated And Unconsolidated Subsidiaries AmountOfRestrictedNetAssetsForConsolidatedAndUnconsolidatedSubsidiaries	9400000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Description Of Other Regulatory Limitations DescriptionOfOtherRegulatoryLimitations	RESTRICTED NET ASSETS OF SUBSIDIARIES Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on the transfer of net assets under debt agreements and regulatory requirements. These restrictions have not had any effect on the Company’s shareholder dividend policy and management does not anticipate any impact in the future. Procedures exist to transfer net assets between the Company and its subsidiaries, while ensuring compliance with the various contractual and regulatory constraints. As of December 31, 2011, the aggregate amount of net assets of subsidiaries that are restricted to be transferred to American Express’ Parent Company (Parent Company) was approximately $9.4 billion. BANK HOLDING COMPANY DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS The Company is limited in its ability to pay dividends by the Federal Reserve which could prohibit a dividend that would be considered an unsafe or unsound banking practice. It is the policy of the Federal Reserve that bank holding companies generally should pay dividends on common stock only out of net income available to common shareholders generated over the past year, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s current and expected future capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. Moreover, bank holding companies are required by statue to be a source of strength to their insured depository institution subsidiaries and should not maintain dividend levels that undermine their ability to do so. On an annual basis, the Company is required to develop and maintain a capital plan, which includes planned dividends over a two-year horizon, and to submit the capital plan to the Federal Reserve for approval. BANKS’ DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS In the year ended December 31, 2011, Centurion Bank and FSB paid dividends from retained earnings to its parent of $1.5 billion and $550 million, respectively. No dividends were paid in 2010 and 2009. The Banks are subject to statutory and regulatory limitations on their ability to pay dividends. The total amount of dividends which may be paid at any date, subject to supervisory considerations of the Banks’ regulators, is generally limited to the retained earnings of the respective bank. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Banks’ retained earnings, in the aggregate, available for the payment of dividends were $4.6 billion and $3.6 billion, respectively. In determining the dividends to pay its parent, the Banks must also consider the effects on applicable risk-based capital and leverage ratio requirements, as well as policy statements of the federal regulatory agencies. In addition, the Banks’ banking regulators have authority to limit or prohibit the payment of a dividend by the Banks under a number of circumstances, including, if, in the banking regulator’s opinion, payment of a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice in light of the financial condition of the banking organization.
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Range Of Possible Loss Minimum LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMinimum	0	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Range Of Possible Loss Maximum LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum	510000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Contingent Obligations Co Brand Partners ContingentObligationsCoBrandPartners	5300000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	280000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	250000000	USD
CY2009	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	362000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent	11000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears	11000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears	12000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears	5000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears	5000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter	29000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Operating Leases Rent Expense Sublease OperatingLeasesRentExpenseSublease	27000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Litigation Settlement Gross LitigationSettlementGross	4050000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent	255000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears	221000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears	201000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears	160000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.01
CY2011Q4	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7742000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1748000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1192000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1192000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1235000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1235000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1711000000	USD
CY2011Q3	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7571000000	USD
CY2011Q2	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7618000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1765000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1295000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	36000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1331000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1177000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1177000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1732000000	USD
CY2011Q1	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7031000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7244000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1477000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1062000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1062000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1093000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1093000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1640000000	USD
CY2010Q3	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	6973000000	USD
CY2010Q2	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	6805000000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1595000000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1017000000	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1017000000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	885000000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	885000000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1252000000	USD
CY2010Q1	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	6560000000	USD
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.74
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.74
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.73
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.73
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.84
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.84
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.84
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.84
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.91
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.91
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.90
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.90
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.88
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.88
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.88
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.88
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.98
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.98
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.97
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.97
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.10
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.03
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.07
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.11
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.03
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.08
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.04
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.04
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.03
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.03
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.01
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.02
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.02
CY2011Q4	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	52.35	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	41.30	USD
CY2011Q3	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	42.03	USD
CY2011Q3	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	53.80	USD
CY2011Q2	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	51.97	USD
CY2011Q2	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	45.10	USD
CY2011Q1	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	42.19	USD
CY2011Q1	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	46.93	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	46.78	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	37.33	USD
CY2010Q3	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	38.42	USD
CY2010Q3	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	45.68	USD
CY2010Q2	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	49.19	USD
CY2010Q2	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	37.13	USD
CY2010Q1	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	36.60	USD
CY2010Q1	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	43.25	USD

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$AXP
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2011 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312512077400 Filed on February 24, 2012

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$AXP AMERICAN EXPRESS CO Stock $axp

2011 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312512077400 Filed on February 24, 2012

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$AXP
AMERICAN EXPRESS CO Stock $axp