American Express (AXP) 10-Q 29 Apr 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 18, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000004962	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	1,058,605,218

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Non-interest revenues	'	'
Discount revenue	$4,646	$4,438
Net card fees	674	653
Travel commissions and fees	423	437
Other commissions and fees	618	573
Other	501	537
Total non-interest revenues	6,862	6,638
Interest income	'	'
Interest on loans	1,711	1,683
Interest and dividends on investment securities	46	53
Deposits with banks and other	19	26
Total interest income	1,776	1,762
Interest expense	'	'
Deposits	94	114
Long-term debt and other	345	405
Total interest expense	439	519
Net interest income	1,337	1,243
Total revenues net of interest expense	8,199	7,881
Provisions for losses	'	'
Charge card	215	154
Card Member loans	250	243
Other	20	19
Total provisions for losses	485	416
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses	7,714	7,465
Expenses	'	'
Marketing, promotion, rewards and Card Member services	2,417	2,330
Salaries and employee benefits	1,540	1,615
Other, net	1,549	1,611
Total expenses	5,506	5,556
Pretax income	2,208	1,909
Income tax provision	776	629
Net income	$1,432	$1,280
Earnings Per Common Share, Basic [Abstract]	'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$1.34	$1.15
Earnings Per Common Share, Diluted [Abstract]	'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$1.33	$1.15
Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share:	'	'
Basic	1,060	1,099
Diluted	1,067	1,106
Cash dividends declared per common share	$0.23	$0.20

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1

Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]	'	'
Earnings allocated to participating share awards	$12	$11

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$1,432	$1,280
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Net unrealized securities gains (losses), net of tax	39	-35
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-34	-45
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit gains, net of tax	27	27
Other comprehensive income (loss)	32	-53
Comprehensive income	$1,464	$1,227

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Textuals [Abstract]	'	'
Net unrealized securities gains (losses), tax	$23	($18)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	-23	-11
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit gains, tax	$15	$21

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Cash and cash due from banks	$2,493	$2,212
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks (including securities purchased under resale agreements)	17,909	16,776
Short-term investment securities	338	498
Total cash and cash equivalents	20,740	19,486
Accounts receivable	'	'
Card Member receivables (includes gross receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity), less reserves	44,240	43,777
Other receivables, less reserves	3,134	3,408
Loans	'	'
Card Member loans, (includes gross loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity), less reserves	62,825	65,977
Other loans, less reserves	651	608
Investment securities	4,761	5,016
Premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,893	3,875
Other assets (includes restricted cash of consolidated variable interest entities)	11,253	11,228
Total assets	151,497	153,375
Liabilities	'	'
Customer deposits	42,671	41,763
Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products	3,843	4,240
Accounts payable	11,844	10,615
Short-term borrowings	2,821	5,021
Long-term debt (includes debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities)	54,095	55,330
Other liabilities	16,246	16,910
Total liabilities	131,520	133,879
Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Common shares	212	213
Additional paid-in capital	12,337	12,202
Retained earnings	8,822	8,507
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'
Net unrealized securities gains, net of tax	102	63
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-1,124	-1,090
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit losses, net of tax	-372	-399
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,394	-1,426
Total shareholders' equity	19,977	19,496
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$151,497	$153,375

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Card Member receivables, gross	$44,654	$44,163
Card Member loans, gross	64,016	67,238
Other assets	11,253	11,228
Short-term borrowings	2,821	5,021
Long-term debt	54,095	55,330
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Securities purchased under resale agreements	241	143
Accounts receivable	'	'
Card Member receivables, reserves	414	386
Other receivables, reserves	66	71
Loans	'	'
Card Member loans, reserves	1,191	1,261
Other loans, reserves	9	13
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	6,090	5,978
Restricted cash	698	'
Common shares, par value	$0.20	$0.20
Common shares, authorized	3,600,000,000	3,600,000,000
Common shares, issued	1,059,000,000	1,064,000,000
Common shares, outstanding	1,059,000,000	1,064,000,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'
Net unrealized securities gains, tax	56	33
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	-549	-526
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit losses, tax	-162	-177
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]	'	'
Card Member receivables, gross	6,387	7,329
Card Member loans, gross	28,687	31,245
Short-term borrowings	0	2,000
Long-term debt	15,192	18,690
Loans	'	'
Restricted cash	$698	$58

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	'	'
Net income	$1,432	$1,280
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Provisions for losses	485	416
Depreciation and amortization	249	245
Deferred taxes and other	44	83
Stock-based compensation	88	96
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:	'	'
Other receivables	297	486
Other assets	478	330
Accounts payable and other liabilities	607	4,946
Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products	-395	-335
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,285	7,547
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	'	'
Sale of investments	44	80
Maturity and redemption of investments	354	187
Purchase of investments	-71	-472
Net decrease in Card Member loans/receivables	2,072	1,510
Purchase of premises and equipment, net of sales	-226	-204
Acquisitions/dispositions, net of cash acquired	-6	-11
Net increase in restricted cash	-610	-1,058
Net cash provided by investing activities	1,557	32
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	'	'
Net increase in customer deposits	918	1,141
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings	-2,245	166
Issuance of long-term debt	2,240	598
Principal payments on long-term debt	-3,500	-3,001
Issuance of American Express common shares	233	275
Repurchase of American Express common shares	-961	-787
Dividends paid	-246	-222
Net cash used in financing activities	-3,561	-1,830
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-27	-35
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,254	5,714
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,486	22,250
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$20,740	$27,964

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]	'	'
Sale of premises and equipment	$2	$4

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1. Basis of Presentation
	The Company
	American Express Company (the Company) is a global services company that provides customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. The Company's principal products and services are charge and credit payment card products and travel-related services offered to consumers and businesses around the world. The Company also focuses on generating alternative sources of revenue on a global basis in areas such as online and mobile payments and fee-based services. The Company's various products and services are sold globally to diverse customer groups, including consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies and large corporations. These products and services are sold through various channels, including direct mail, online applications, targeted direct and third-party sales forces and direct response advertising.
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the Annual Report).
	The interim consolidated financial information in this report has not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim period consolidated financial information, have been made. Results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expense, and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ.
	Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Divestitures

Divestitures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combination Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Divestitures	'
	2. Divestitures
	On March 17, 2014, the Company announced that it signed an agreement to create a joint venture for its Global Business Travel division (GBT). In the proposed transaction, the Company will separate its GBT operations into a dedicated holding structure, which will include certain assets and liabilities that currently comprise GBT, and will maintain an approximate 50 percent ownership stake in a non-consolidated joint venture following the closing. In exchange for an investment of $900 million in the joint venture, an investor group will hold the remaining interest. The closing of the joint venture transaction is subject to the receipt of requisite regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Assuming these conditions are met, the Company would plan to close the transaction in the second quarter of 2014. The carrying amount of GBT's assets and liabilities are not material to the Company's financial position.

Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans

Accounts Receivable and Loans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Loans Notes Trade And Other Receivables Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable and Loans	'
	3. Accounts Receivable and Loans
	The Company's charge and lending payment card products result in the generation of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans, respectively. For information on the Company's accounts receivable and loans and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages 72 – 76 of the Annual Report.
	Accounts receivable as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of:
	(Millions)	2014			2013
	U.S. Card Services(a)	$	20,726		$	21,842
	International Card Services		7,153			7,771
	Global Commercial Services(b)		16,638			14,391
	Global Network & Merchant Services(c)		137			159
	Card Member receivables(d)		44,654			44,163
	Less: Reserve for losses		414			386
	Card Member receivables, net		44,240			43,777
	Other receivables, net(e)	$	3,134		$	3,408
	Includes $6.4 billion and $7.3 billion of gross Card Member receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity (VIE) as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Includes $885 million and $836 million due from airlines, of which Delta Air Lines (Delta) comprises $653 million and $628 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Includes receivables primarily related to the Company's International Currency Card portfolios.
	Includes approximately $13.9 billion and $13.8 billion of Card Member receivables outside the U.S. as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Other receivables primarily represent amounts related to (i) purchased joint venture receivables, (ii) Global Network Services (GNS) partner banks for items such as royalty and franchise fees, and (iii) certain merchants for billed discount revenue. Other receivables are presented net of reserves for losses of $66 million and $71 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Loans as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of:
	(Millions)		2014			2013
	U.S. Card Services(a)	$	55,801		$	58,395
	International Card Services		8,154			8,790
	Global Commercial Services		61			53
	Card Member loans		64,016			67,238
	Less: Reserve for losses		1,191			1,261
	Card Member loans, net		62,825			65,977
	Other loans, net(b)	$	651		$	608
	Includes approximately $28.7 billion and $31.2 billion of gross Card Member loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated VIE as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Other loans primarily represent loans to merchants and a store card loan portfolio. Other loans are presented net of reserves for losses of $9 million and $13 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Card Member Loans and Card Member Receivables Aging
	Generally, a Card Member account is considered past due if payment is not received within 30 days after the billing statement date. The following table represents the aging of Card Member loans and receivables as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
						30-59			60-89			90+
						Days			Days			Days
						Past			Past			Past
	2014 (Millions)		Current			Due			Due			Due			Total
	Card Member Loans:
	U.S. Card Services	$	55,193		$	175		$	134		$	299		$	55,801
	International Card Services		8,013			48			30			63			8,154
	Card Member Receivables:
	U.S. Card Services	$	20,355		$	119		$	84		$	168		$	20,726
	International Card Services(a)		7,050			34			21			48			7,153
	Global Commercial Services		(b)			(b)			(b)			122			16,638
						30-59			60-89			90+
						Days			Days			Days
						Past			Past			Past
	2013 (Millions)		Current			Due			Due			Due			Total
	Card Member Loans:
	U.S. Card Services	$	57,772		$	183		$	134		$	306		$	58,395
	International Card Services		8,664			43			28			55			8,790
	Card Member Receivables:
	U.S. Card Services	$	21,488		$	125		$	69		$	160		$	21,842
	International Card Services		(b)			(b)			(b)			83			7,771
	Global Commercial Services		(b)			(b)			(b)			132			14,391
	Effective March 31, 2014, as a result of system enhancements, delinquency data is now available and presented on a prospective basis for the indicated aging categories. Comparable data for prior periods is not available. For risk management purposes, the Company has historically utilized 90 days past billing for the International Card Services (ICS) segment, as described below in (b).
	Data for periods prior to 90 days past billing are not available due to system constraints. Therefore, such data have not been utilized for risk management purposes. The balances that are current to 89 days past due can be derived as the difference between the Total and the 90+ Days Past Due balances. For Card Member receivables in Global Commercial Services (GCS) as of March 31, 2014 and ICS and GCS as of December 31, 2013, delinquency data is tracked based on days past billing status rather than days past due. A Card Member account is considered 90 days past billing if payment has not been received within 90 days of the Card Member's billing statement date. In addition, if the Company initiates collection procedures on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member receivable balance is considered as 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes.
	Credit Quality Indicators for Card Member Loans and Receivables
	The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the three months ended March 31:
		2014						2013
		Net Write-Off Rate						Net Write-Off Rate
						30 Days						30 Days
				Principal,		Past Due				Principal,		Past Due
		Principal		Interest, &		as a % of		Principal		Interest, &		as a % of
		Only	(a)	Fees	(a)	Total		Only	(a)	Fees	(a)	Total
	Card Member Loans:
U.S. Card Services	1.7	%	1.9	%	1.1	%	2	%	2.2	%	1.2	%
International Card Services(b)	2.2	%	2.7	%	1.7	%	1.8	%	2.3	%	1.7	%
Card Member Receivables:
U.S. Card Services	1.8	%	2	%	1.8	%	2	%	2.2	%	1.9	%
International Card Services(b)	1.9	%	2	%	1.4	%	(c)		(c)		(c)
					2014				2013
					Net Loss				Net Loss
					Ratio as		90 Days		Ratio as		90 Days
					a % of		Past Billing		a % of		Past Billing
					Charge		as a % of		Charge		as a % of
					Volume		Receivables		Volume		Receivables
Card Member Receivables:
International Card Services					(c)		(c)		0.18	%	1.1	%
Global Commercial Services					0.09	%	0.7	%	0.08	%	0.7	%
The Company presents a net write-off rate based on principal losses only (i.e., excluding interest and/or fees) to be consistent with industry convention. In addition, because the Company's practice is to include uncollectible interest and/or fees as part of its total provision for losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented.
For the period ending March 31, 2014, write-offs for certain installment loan products have been reclassified from Card Member receivables to Card Member loans.
Historically, net loss ratio as a % of charge volume and 90 days past billings as a % of receivables were presented. Effective March 31, 2014, as a result of system enhancements, 30 days past due as a % of total, Net write-off rate (principal only) and Net write-off rate (principal and fees) have been presented.
Refer to Note 5 on pages 77 – 78 of the Annual Report for additional indicators, including external environmental qualitative factors, management considers in its monthly evaluation process for reserves for losses.
Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables
Impaired loans and receivables are defined by GAAP as individual larger balance or homogeneous pools of smaller balance loans and receivables for which it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the Card Member agreement. For information on impaired Card Member loans and receivables and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report.
The following table provides additional information with respect to the Company's impaired Card Member loans, which are not significant for GCS, and Card Member receivables, which are not significant for ICS and GCS, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 or for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
	As of March 31, 2014																		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Loans over
		90 Days						Loans &			Total									Average
		Past Due			Non-			Receivables			Impaired			Unpaid					Balance of			Interest
	& Accruing				Accrual			Modified			Loans &		Principal				Allowance			Impaired		Income
2014 (Millions)		Interest	(a)		Loans	(b)		as a TDR	(c)		Receivables			Balance	(d)		for TDRs	(e)		Loans		Recognized
Card Member Loans:
U.S. Card Services	$	181		$	220		$	337		$	738		$	687		$	80		$	793	$	16
International Card Services		62			2			―			64			64			―			63		4
Card Member Receivables:
U.S. Card Services		―			―			49			49			48			36			50		―
Total	$	243		$	222		$	386		$	851		$	799		$	116		$	906	$	20
	As of December 31, 2013																		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Loans over
		90 Days						Loans &			Total									Average
		Past Due			Non-			Receivables			Impaired			Unpaid					Balance of			Interest
	& Accruing				Accrual			Modified			Loans &		Principal				Allowance			Impaired		Income
2013 (Millions)		Interest	(a)		Loans	(b)		as a TDR	(c)		Receivables			Balance	(d)	for TDRs		(e)		Loans		Recognized
Card Member Loans:
U.S. Card Services	$	170		$	244		$	373		$	787		$	731		$	84		$	1,105	$	12
International Card Services		54			4			5			63			62			―			70		4
Card Member Receivables:
U.S. Card Services		―			―			50			50			49			38			115		―
Total	$	224		$	248		$	428		$	900		$	842		$	122		$	1,290	$	16
The Company's policy is generally to accrue interest through the date of write-off (i.e., at 180 days past due). The Company establishes reserves for interest that the Company believes will not be collected. Amounts presented exclude loans modified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR).
Non-accrual loans not in modification programs include certain Card Member loans placed with outside collection agencies for which the Company has ceased accruing interest.
Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR includes $91 million and $92 million that are non-accrual and $27 million and $26 million that are past due 90 days and still accruing interest as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Unpaid principal balance consists of Card Member charges billed and excludes other amounts charged directly by the Company such as interest and fees.
Represents the reserve for losses for TDRs, which are evaluated individually for impairment. The Company records a reserve for losses for all impaired loans. Refer to Card Member Loans Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment in Note 4 for further information regarding the reserve for losses on loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest and non-accrual loans, which are evaluated collectively for impairment.
Card Member Loans and Receivables Modified as TDRs
The following table provides additional information with respect to the U.S. Card Services (USCS) Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs during the three months ended March 31. The ICS and GCS Card Member loans and receivables modifications were not significant. For information on TDRs and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report.
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-14
								Average
						Average		Payment
	Number of		Outstanding			Interest Rate		Term
	Accounts		Balances(a)(b)			Reduction		Extension
	(in thousands)			($ in millions)		(% Points)		(# of Months)
Troubled Debt Restructurings:
Card Member Loans	12		$	96		14		(c)
Card Member Receivables	4			47		(c)		12
Total	16		$	143
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-13
								Average
						Average		Payment
	Number of		Outstanding			Interest Rate		Term
	Accounts		Balances(a)(b)			Reduction		Extension
	(in thousands)			($ in millions)		(% Points)		(# of Months)
Troubled Debt Restructurings:
Card Member Loans	23		$	172		13		(c)
Card Member Receivables	8			104		(c)		12
Total	31		$	276
Represents the outstanding balance immediately prior to modification. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 modifications reduced the aggregate principal balance by nil and $4 million, respectively.
The outstanding balance includes principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables.
For Card Member loans, there have been no payment term extensions. The Company does not offer interest rate reduction programs for Card Member receivables as the receivables are non-interest-bearing.
The following table provides information for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, with respect to the USCS Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs that subsequently defaulted within 12 months of modification. A Card Member is considered to have been in default from a modification program after one and up to two consecutive missed payments, depending on the terms of the modification program. For all Card Members that defaulted from a modification program, the probability of default is factored into the reserves for Card Member loans and receivables. The defaulted ICS Card Member loan and receivable modifications were not significant.
	2014						2013
					Aggregated						Aggregated
				Outstanding						Outstanding
		Number of			Balances			Number of			Balances
(Accounts in thousands, Dollars in millions)		Accounts		Upon Default(a)				Accounts		Upon Default(a)
Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted:
Card Member Loans		2		$	20			5		$	48
Card Member Receivables		1			7			1			12
Total		3		$	27			6		$	60
The outstanding balance includes principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables.

Reserves_for_Losses

Reserves for Losses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Reserves For Losses Card Member Receivables And Loans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Reserve for Losses	'
	4. Reserves for Losses
	Reserves for losses relating to Card Member loans and receivables represent management's best estimate of the probable inherent losses in the Company's outstanding portfolio of loans and receivables, as of the balance sheet date. Management's evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments. For information on the Company's reserves for losses and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 5 on pages 77 – 78 of the Annual Report.
	Changes in Card Member Receivables Reserve for Losses
	The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)				2014			2013
	Balance, January 1				$	386		$	428
		Provisions(a)				215			154
		Net write-offs(b)				-170			-178
		Other(c)				-17			6
	Balance, March 31				$	414		$	410
	Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee reserve components.
	Consists of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries of $92 million and $99 million, including net write-offs from TDRs of $2 million and $14 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Effective March 31, 2014, amounts previously reserved for unauthorized transactions of $(7) million have been reclassified to other liabilities on a prospective basis. Also included are foreign currency translation adjustments of nil and $(2) million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively and other items of $(10) million and $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Card Member Receivables Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment
	The following table presents Card Member receivables evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	(Millions)		2014			2013
	Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment(a)		$	49		$	50
	Related reserves (a)		$	36		$	38
	Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment		$	44,605		$	44,113
	Related reserves (b)		$	378		$	348
	Represents receivables modified in a TDR and related reserves. Refer to the Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables discussion in Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report for further information.
	The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of receivables and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to receivables that are collectively evaluated for impairment and are not specific to any individual pool of receivables.
	Changes in Card Member Loans Reserve for Losses
	The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)				2014			2013
	Balance, January 1				$	1,261		$	1,471
		Provisions(a)				250			243
		Net write-offs
			Principal(b)			-280			-304
			Interest and fees(b)			-42			-38
		Other(c)				2			-5
	Balance, March 31				$	1,191		$	1,367
	Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions), interest and fee reserves components.
	Consists of principal write-offs (resulting from authorized transactions), less recoveries of $107 million and $114 million, including net write-offs from TDRs of $(2) million and $6 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Recoveries of interest and fees were de minimis.
	Effective March 31, 2014, reserves related to unauthorized transactions of $(6) million are reflected in other liabilities. All periods include foreign currency translation adjustments of $(1) million for both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, and other items of $9 million and $(4) million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Card Member Loans Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment
	The following table presents Card Member loans evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	(Millions)		2014			2013
	Card Member loans evaluated individually for impairment(a)		$	337		$	378
	Related reserves (a)		$	80		$	84
	Card Member loans evaluated collectively for impairment(b)		$	63,679		$	66,860
	Related reserves (b)		$	1,111		$	1,177
	Represents loans modified in a TDR and related reserves. Refer to the Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables discussion in Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report for further information.
	Represents current loans and loans less than 90 days past due, loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest, and non-accrual loans. The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of loans and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and are not specific to any individual pool of loans.

Investment_Securities

Investment Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investment Securities	'
	5. Investment Securities
	Investment securities include debt and equity securities classified as available for sale. The Company's investment securities, principally debt securities, are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with unrealized gains (losses) recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI), net of income taxes. Realized gains and losses are recognized in results of operations upon disposition of the securities using the specific identification method on a trade date basis. For information on the Company's methodology for determining the fair value of investment securities and related accounting policies, refer to Note 3 on pages 68 – 71 of the Annual Report.
	The following is a summary of investment securities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
			2014												2013
							Gross			Gross			Estimated						Gross		Gross		Estimated
							Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair						Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Description of Securities (Millions)			Cost			Gains			Losses			Value			Cost			Gains		Losses		Value
	State and municipal obligations		$	3,957		$	96		$	-20		$	4,033		$	4,060		$	54	$	-79	$	4,035
	U.S. Government agency
		obligations		3			―			―			3			3			―		―		3
	U.S. Government treasury
		obligations		268			4			-1			271			318			3		-1		320
	Corporate debt securities			43			3			―			46			43			3		―		46
	Mortgage-backed securities (a)			151			6			―			157			160			5		-1		164
	Equity securities (b)			17			51			―			68			29			95		―		124
	Foreign government bonds and
		obligations		129			6			―			135			272			5		-1		276
	Other (c)			50			―			-2			48			50			―		-2		48
	Total		$	4,618		$	166		$	-23		$	4,761		$	4,935		$	165	$	-84	$	5,016
	Represents mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae.
	Primarily represents the Company's investment in the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
	Other comprises investments in various mutual funds.
	The following table provides information about the Company's investment securities with gross unrealized losses and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
			2014												2013
			Less than 12 months						12 months or more						Less than 12 months					12 months or more
							Gross						Gross						Gross				Gross
				Estimated			Unrealized			Estimated			Unrealized			Estimated			Unrealized		Estimated		Unrealized
	Description of Securities (Millions)			Fair Value			Losses			Fair Value			Losses			Fair Value			Losses		Fair Value		Losses
	State and municipal obligations		$	351		$	-13		$	115		$	-7		$	1,320		$	-63	$	106	$	-16
	Foreign government bonds and
		obligations		―			―			―			―			208			-1		―		―
	U.S. Government treasury
		obligations		128			-1			―			―			166			-1		―		―
	Mortgage-backed securities			―			―			―			―			35			-1		―		―
	Other			30			-1			17			-1			30			-1		17		-1
	Total		$	509		$	-15		$	132		$	-8		$	1,759		$	-67	$	123	$	-17
	The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses due to temporary impairments by ratio of fair value to amortized cost as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
			Less than 12 months								12 months or more								Total
	Ratio of Fair Value to								Gross								Gross						Gross
	Amortized Cost		Number of			Estimated			Unrealized		Number of			Estimated			Unrealized		Number of		Estimated		Unrealized
	(Dollars in millions)		Securities			Fair Value			Losses		Securities			Fair Value			Losses		Securities		Fair Value		Losses
	2014:00:00
	90%–100%		58		$	509		$	-15		10		$	123		$	-7		68	$	632	$	-22
	Less than 90%		―			―			―		1			9			-1		1		9		-1
	Total as of March 31, 2014		58		$	509		$	-15		11		$	132		$	-8		69	$	641	$	-23
	2013:00:00
	90%–100%		228		$	1,665		$	-53		6		$	24		$	-2		234	$	1,689	$	-55
	Less than 90%		13			94			-14		5			99			-15		18		193		-29
	Total as of December 31, 2013		241		$	1,759		$	-67		11		$	123		$	-17		252	$	1,882	$	-84
	The gross unrealized losses are attributed to overall wider credit spreads for state and municipal securities, wider credit spreads for specific issuers, adverse changes in market benchmark interest rates, or a combination thereof, all as compared to those prevailing when the investment securities were acquired.
	Overall, for the investment securities in gross unrealized loss positions (i) the Company does not intend to sell the investment securities, (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the investment securities before recovery of the unrealized losses, and (iii) the Company expects that the contractual principal and interest will be received on the investment securities. As a result, the Company recognized no other-than-temporary impairment during the periods presented.
	Supplemental Information
	Gross realized gains on the sales of investment securities, included in other non-interest revenues, were $39 million and $36 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There were no gross realized losses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Contractual maturities of investment securities, excluding equity securities and other securities, as of March 31, 2014 were as follows:
							Estimated
	(Millions)			Cost			Fair Value
	Due within 1 year		$	333		$	333
	Due after 1 year but within 5 years			451			459
	Due after 5 years but within 10 years			208			220
	Due after 10 years			3,559			3,633
	Total		$	4,551		$	4,645
	The expected payments on state and municipal obligations and mortgage-backed securities may not coincide with their contractual maturities because the issuers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations.

Asset_Securitizations

Asset Securitizations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Asset Securitizations [Abstract]	'
Asset Securitizations	'
	6. Asset Securitizations
	The Company periodically securitizes Card Member receivables and loans arising from its card business through the transfer of those assets to securitization trusts. The trusts then issue securities to third-party investors, collateralized by the transferred assets. For information on the Company's asset securitizations and related accounting policies, refer to Note 7 on page 80 of the Annual Report.
	The following table provides information on the restricted cash held by the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust) and the American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust) as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, included in other assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	(Millions)	2014		2013
	Charge Trust	$	1	$	2
	Lending Trust		697		56
	Total	$	698	$	58
	These amounts relate to collections of Card Member receivables and loans to be used by the trusts to fund future expenses and obligations, including interest paid on investor certificates, credit losses and upcoming debt maturities.
	American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), which is a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, is the primary beneficiary of both the trusts. Excluding its consolidated subsidiaries, TRS owns approximately $0.8 billion of subordinated securities issued by the Lending Trust as of March 31, 2014.
	Under the respective terms of the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust agreements, the occurrence of certain triggering events associated with the performance of the assets of each trust could result in payment of trust expenses, establishment of reserve funds, or in a worst-case scenario, early amortization of investor securities. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, no such triggering events occurred.

Customer_Deposits

Customer Deposits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Deposit Liabilities Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Customer Deposits	'
	7. Customer Deposits
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, customer deposits were categorized as interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing, as follows:
	(Millions)				2014			2013
	U.S.:
		Interest-bearing			$	41,853		$	40,831
		Non-interest-bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of:
			2014, $298 million; 2013, $340 million)			317			360
	Non-U.S.:
		Interest-bearing				110			121
		Non-interest-bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of:
			2014, $373 million; 2013, $437 million)			391			451
	Total customer deposits				$	42,671		$	41,763
	Customer deposits by deposit type as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
	(Millions)				2014			2013
	U.S. retail deposits:
		Savings accounts – Direct			$	26,276		$	24,550
		Certificates of deposit:
			Direct			402			489
			Third-party			6,325			6,929
		Sweep accounts – Third-party				8,850			8,863
	Other retail deposits:
		Non-U.S. deposits and U.S. non-interest bearing deposits				147			155
	Card Member credit balances ― U.S. and non-U.S.					671			777
	Total customer deposits				$	42,671		$	41,763
	The scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit as of March 31, 2014 were as follows:
	(Millions)		U.S.			Non-U.S.			Total
	2014		$	2,000		$	3		$	2,003
	2015			1,247			1			1,248
	2016			1,673			―			1,673
	2017			572			―			572
	2018			1,042			―			1,042
	After 5 years			193			―			193
	Total		$	6,727		$	4		$	6,731
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more were as follows:
	(Millions)		2014			2013
	U.S.		$	269		$	324
	Non-U.S.			2			2
	Total		$	271		$	326

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'
	8. Derivatives and Hedging Activities
	The Company uses derivative financial instruments (derivatives) to manage exposures to various market risks. Derivatives derive their value from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including interest rate, foreign exchange, and equity index or price. These instruments enable end users to increase, reduce or alter exposure to various market risks and, for that reason, are an integral component of the Company's market risk management. The Company does not engage in derivatives for trading purposes. For information on the Company's derivative instruments and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 12 on pages 87 – 90 of the Annual Report.
	In relation to the Company's credit risk, under the terms of the derivative agreements it has with its various counterparties, the Company is not required to either immediately settle any outstanding liability balances or post collateral upon the occurrence of a specified credit risk-related event. Based on the assessment of credit risk of the Company's derivative counterparties as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company does not have derivative positions that warrant credit valuation adjustments.
	The Company's derivatives are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 3 on pages 68 – 71 of the Annual Report for a description of the Company's methodology for determining the fair value of derivatives.
	The following table summarizes the total fair value, excluding interest accruals, of derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
				Other Assets						Other Liabilities
				Fair Value						Fair Value
	(Millions)			2014			2013			2014		2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Interest rate contracts
		Fair value hedges		$	412		$	455		$	11	$	2
	Total return contract
		Fair value hedge			―			8			2		―
	Foreign exchange contracts
		Net investment hedges			62			174			180		116
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments				474			637			193		118
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
		Foreign exchange contracts, including certain embedded derivatives(a)			126			64			54		95
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments				126			64			54		95
	Total derivatives, gross				600			701			247		213
	Cash collateral netting(b)				-295			-336			-12		―
	Derivative asset and derivative liability netting(c)				-54			-36			-54		-36
	Total derivatives, net(d)			$	251		$	329		$	181	$	177
	Includes foreign currency derivatives embedded in certain operating agreements.
	Represents the offsetting of derivative instruments and the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising from derivative instrument(s) executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement. Additionally, the Company posted $50 million and $26 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are not netted against the derivative balances.
	Represents the amount of netting of derivative assets and derivative liabilities executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.
	The Company has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and derivative liabilities are presented within other assets and other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	A majority of the Company's derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are subject to master netting agreements with its derivative counterparties. In addition, the Company has no derivative amounts subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that are not offset on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Derivative Financial Instruments that Qualify for Hedge Accounting
	Refer to Note 12 on pages 89 – 90 of the Annual Report for information on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting.
	Fair Value Hedges
	Interest Rate Contracts
	The Company is exposed to interest rate risk associated with its fixed-rate long-term debt. The Company uses interest rate swaps to economically convert certain fixed-rate long-term debt obligations to floating-rate obligations at the time of issuance. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company hedged $15.9 billion and $14.7 billion, respectively, of its fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt using interest rate swaps.
	Total Return Contract
	The Company hedges its exposure to changes in the fair value of its equity investment in ICBC in local currency. The Company uses a total return contract (TRC) to transfer this exposure to its derivative counterparty. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of the equity investment in ICBC was $66 million (107.5 million shares) and $122 million (180.7 million shares), respectively. To the extent the hedge is effective, the gain or loss on the TRC offsets the loss or gain on the investment in ICBC. Any difference between the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item results in hedge ineffectiveness and is recognized in other expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	The following table summarizes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income associated with the Company's hedges of its fixed-rate long-term debt and its investment in ICBC for the three months ended March 31:
	For the Three Months Ended March 31: (Millions)
			Gains (losses) recognized in income
			Derivative contract								Hedged item					Net hedge
					Amount							Amount				ineffectiveness
	Derivative relationship		Income Statement Line Item		2014			2013			Income Statement Line Item	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Interest rate contracts		Other expenses		$	-51		$	-104		Other expenses	$	51	$	110	$	―	$	6
	Total return contract		Other non-interest revenues			13			4		Other non-interest revenues		-13		-4		―		―
	The Company also recognized a net reduction in interest expense on long-term debt of $69 million and $112 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily related to the net settlements (interest accruals) on the Company's interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges.
	Net Investment Hedges
	The effective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges, net of taxes, recorded in AOCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment was $(17) million and $(56) million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Any ineffective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges is recognized in other expenses during the period of change. No ineffectiveness associated with net investment hedges was reclassified from AOCI into income during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company reclassified $17 million and nil, respectively, from AOCI to earnings as a component of other expenses.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
	For information on derivatives not designated as hedges, refer to Note 12 on page 90 of the Annual Report.
	The following table summarizes the impact on pretax earnings of derivatives not designated as hedges, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31:
			Pretax gains
					Amount
	Description (Millions)		Income Statement Line Item		2014			2013
	Foreign exchange contracts (a)		Other non-interest revenues		$	―		$	1
			Other expenses			134			171
	Total				$	134		$	172
	Foreign exchange contracts include embedded foreign currency derivatives. Gains on these embedded derivatives are included in other expenses.

Fair_Values

Fair Values	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value (Disclosures) [Abstract]	'
Fair Values	'
	9. Fair Values
	Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value
	For information about the Company's valuation techniques for financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value and the fair value hierarchy, refer to Note 3 on pages 68 – 70 of the Annual Report. Refer to Note 12 on pages 87 – 90 of the Annual Report for additional information about the fair value of the Company's derivative financial instruments.
	The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP's valuation hierarchy, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
					2014												2013
	(Millions)				Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Investment securities:(a)
		Equity securities			$	68		$	68		$	―		$	―		$	124		$	124	$	―	$	―
		Debt securities and other				4,693			271			4,422			―			4,892			320		4,572		―
	Derivatives(a)					600			―			600			―			701			―		701		―
	Total assets					5,361			339			5,022			―			5,717			444		5,273		―
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives(a)					247			―			247			―			213			―		213		―
	Total liabilities				$	247		$	―		$	247		$	―		$	213		$	―	$	213	$	―
	Refer to Note 5 for the fair values of investment securities and to Note 8 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis.
	Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value
	For information about the valuation techniques used in the measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities carried at other than fair value, refer to Note 3 on pages 70 – 71 of the Annual Report.
	The following table discloses the estimated fair value for the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates based upon the market conditions and perceived risks as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and require management judgment. These figures may not be indicative of their future fair values. The fair value of the Company cannot be reliably estimated by aggregating the amounts presented.
							Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2014 (Billions)						Value			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value
				Cash and cash equivalents		$	21		$	21		$	20		$	1	(a)	$	―
				Other financial assets(b)		$	49		$	49		$	―		$	49		$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Loans, net		$	63		$	64	(c)	$	―		$	0		$	64
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value			$	60		$	60		$	―		$	60		$	―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than
			fair value
				Certificates of deposit(d)		$	7		$	7		$	―		$	7		$	―
				Long-term debt		$	54		$	56	(c)	$	―		$	56		$	―
							Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2013 (Billions)						Value			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value
				Cash and cash equivalents		$	19		$	19		$	17		$	2	(a)	$	―
				Other financial assets(b)		$	48		$	48		$	―		$	48		$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Loans, net		$	67		$	67	(c)	$	―		$	―		$	67
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value			$	60		$	60		$	―		$	60		$	―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than
			fair value
				Certificates of deposit(d)		$	7		$	8		$	―		$	8		$	―
				Long-term debt		$	55		$	58	(c)	$	―		$	58		$	―
	Reflects time deposits.
	Includes accounts receivable (including fair values of Card Member receivables of $6.4 billion and $7.3 billion held by consolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively), restricted cash and other miscellaneous assets.
	Includes fair values of loans of $28.5 billion and $31.0 billion, and long-term debt of $15.3 billion and $18.8 billion held by consolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Presented as a component of customer deposits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
	The Company has certain assets that are subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. For these assets, measurement at fair value in periods subsequent to their initial recognition is applicable if determined to be impaired. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and during the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any material assets that were measured at fair value due to impairment.

Guarantees

Guarantees	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Guarantees	'
	10. Guarantees
	The Company provides Card Member protection plans that cover losses associated with purchased products, as well as certain other guarantees in the ordinary course of business which are within the scope of GAAP governing the accounting for guarantees.
	In relation to its maximum potential undiscounted future payments as shown in the table that follows, to date the Company has not experienced any significant losses related to guarantees. The Company's initial recognition of guarantees is at fair value, which has been determined in accordance with GAAP governing fair value measurement. In addition, the Company establishes reserves when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
	The following table provides information related to such guarantees as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		Maximum potential
		undiscounted future
		payments(a)				Related liability(b)
		(Billions)				(Millions)
	Type of Guarantee	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Card and travel operations(c)	$	42	$	44	$	46	$	88
	Other(d)		1		1		74		73
	Total	$	43	$	45	$	120	$	161
	Represents the notional amounts that could be lost under the guarantees and indemnifications if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties.
	Included in other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Primarily includes Return Protection and Merchant Protection. The maximum potential undiscounted future payments for Merchant Protection are measured using management's best estimate of maximum exposure based on all eligible claims in relation to annual billed business volumes.
	Primarily includes guarantees related to the Company's business dispositions and real estate.

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	'
	11. Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
	AOCI is a balance sheet item in the Shareholders' Equity section of the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. It is comprised of items that have not been recognized in earnings but may be recognized in earnings in the future when certain events occur. Changes in each component of AOCI for the three months ended March 31 were as follows:
	2014 (Millions), net of tax		Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
	Balances as of December 31, 2013		$	63		$	-1,090		$	-399		$	-1,426
	Net unrealized gains			68									68
	Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings			-29			1						-28
	Net translation of investments in foreign operations						-18						-18
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations						-17						-17
	Pension and other postretirement benefit losses									27			27
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income			39			-34			27			32
	Balances as of March 31, 2014		$	102		$	-1,124		$	-372		$	-1,394
	2013 (Millions), net of tax		Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
	Balances as of December 31, 2012		$	315		$	-754		$	-488		$	-927
	Net unrealized (losses)			-12									-12
	Reclassification for realized (gains) into earnings			-23									-23
	Net translation of investments in foreign operations						11						11
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations						-56						-56
	Pension and other postretirement benefit losses									27			27
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income			-35			-45			27			-53
	Balances as of March 31, 2013		$	280		$	-799		$	-461		$	-980
	The following table presents the effects of reclassifications out of AOCI and into the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
					(Gains) losses recognized in income
								2014			2013
	Description (Millions)				Income Statement Line Item		Amount			Amount
	Available-for-sale securities
		Net gain in AOCI reclassifications for previously unrealized net gains on investment
			securities		Other non-interest revenues		$	-45		$	-36
		Related income tax expense			Income tax provision			16			13
		Reclassification to net income related to available-for-sale securities						-29			-23
	Foreign currency translation adjustments
		Reclassification of realized losses on translation adjustments and related
			hedges		Other expenses			2			―
		Related income tax expense			Income tax provision			-1			―
		Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustments						1			―
	Total						$	-28		$	-23

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	12. Income Taxes
	The Company is under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax authorities in other countries and states in which the Company has significant business operations. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction. The IRS has completed its field examination of the Company's federal tax returns for years through 2007; however, refund claims for certain years continue to be reviewed by the IRS. In addition, the Company is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2008 through 2011.
	The Company believes it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next 12 months by as much as $675 million principally as a result of potential resolutions of prior years' tax items with various taxing authorities. The prior years' tax items include unrecognized tax benefits relating to the deductibility of certain expenses or losses and the attribution of taxable income to a particular jurisdiction or jurisdictions. Of the $675 million of unrecognized tax benefits, approximately $515 million relates to amounts that if recognized would be recorded to shareholders' equity and would not impact the effective tax rate. With respect to the remaining $160 million, it is not possible to quantify the impact that the decrease could have on the effective tax rate and net income due to the inherent complexities and the number of tax years open for examination in multiple jurisdictions. Resolution of the prior years' items that comprise this remaining amount could have an impact on the effective tax rate and on net income, either favorably (principally as a result of settlements that are less than the liability for unrecognized tax benefits) or unfavorably (if such settlements exceed the liability for unrecognized tax benefits).
	The effective tax rate was 35.1 percent and 32.9 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The tax rates for both periods reflect the level of pretax income in relation to recurring permanent tax benefits and geographic mix of business.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_EPS

Earnings Per Common Share (EPS)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Common Share (EPS)	'
	13. Earnings Per Common Share (EPS)
	The computations of basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31 were as follows:
	(Millions, except per share amounts)			2014			2013
	Numerator:
		Basic and diluted:
			Net income	$	1,432	$	1,280
			Earnings allocated to participating share awards(a)		-12		-11
			Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	1,420	$	1,269
	Denominator:(a)
		Basic: Weighted-average common stock			1,060		1,099
		Add: Weighted-average stock options(b)			7		7
		Diluted			1,067		1,106
	Basic EPS			$	1.34	$	1.15
	Diluted EPS			$	1.33	$	1.15
	The Company's unvested restricted stock awards, which include the right to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents, are considered participating securities. Calculations of EPS under the two-class method exclude from the numerator any dividends paid or owed on participating securities and any undistributed earnings considered to be attributable to participating securities. The related participating securities are similarly excluded from the denominator.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the dilutive effect of unexercised stock options excludes 0.2 million and 0.9 million of options, respectively, from the computation of EPS because inclusion of the options would have been anti-dilutive.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company met specified performance measures related to the Subordinated Debentures of $750 million issued in 2006, which resulted in no impact to EPS. If the performance measures were not achieved in any given quarter, the Company would be required to issue common shares and apply the proceeds to make interest payments.

NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens

Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Income And Other Expense Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Details of Certain Consolidated Statements of Income Lines	'
	14. Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail
	The following is a detail of other commissions and fees for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2014		2013
	Foreign currency conversion fee revenue		$	213	$	210
	Delinquency fees			181		164
	Loyalty Partner			91		75
	Service fees			90		82
	Other(a)			43		42
		Total other commissions and fees	$	618	$	573
	Other primarily includes fee revenue from fees related to Membership Rewards programs.
	The following is a detail of other revenues for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2014		2013
	Global Network Services partner revenues		$	158	$	144
	Net gain on investment securities			39		36
	Other(a)			304		357
		Total other revenues	$	501	$	537
	Other includes revenues arising from foreign exchange gains on cross-border Card Member spending, merchant-related fees, insurance premiums earned from Card Member travel and other insurance programs, Travelers Cheques-related revenues, and other miscellaneous revenue and fees.
	The following is a detail of marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2014		2013
	Marketing and promotion		$	613	$	621
	Card Member rewards			1,582		1,520
	Card Member services and other			222		189
		Total marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other	$	2,417	$	2,330
	Marketing and promotion expense includes advertising costs, which are expensed in the year in which the advertising first takes place. Card Member rewards expense includes the costs of rewards programs, including Membership Rewards and co-brand arrangements. Card Member services expense includes protection plans and complimentary services provided to Card Members.
	The following is a detail of other, net expenses for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2014		2013
	Professional services		$	692	$	716
	Occupancy and equipment			462		472
	Communications			93		96
	Other(a)			302		327
		Total other, net	$	1,549	$	1,611
	Other expense includes general operating expenses, expenses for unauthorized transactions, gains (losses) on sale of assets or businesses not classified as discontinued operations, litigation, certain internal and regulatory review-related reimbursements and insurance costs or settlements, investment impairments and certain Loyalty Partner expenses.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	15. Contingencies
	The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in a number of legal proceedings concerning matters arising out of the conduct of their respective business activities and are periodically subject to governmental and regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, subpoenas, inquiries and investigations (collectively, governmental examinations). As of March 31, 2014, the Company and various of its subsidiaries were named as a defendant or were otherwise involved in numerous legal proceedings and governmental examinations in various jurisdictions, both in and outside the U.S. The Company discloses its material legal proceedings and governmental examinations under Item 1. “Legal Proceedings” in Part II. “Other Information”, and under “Legal Proceedings” in the Annual Report (collectively, Legal Proceedings).
	The Company has recorded liabilities for certain of its outstanding legal proceedings and governmental examinations. A liability is accrued when it is both (a) probable that a loss has occurred and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. There may be instances in which an exposure to loss exceeds the accrued liability. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings and governmental examinations that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the liability that has been previously accrued or a revision to the disclosed estimated range of possible losses, as applicable.
	The Company's legal proceedings range from cases brought by a single plaintiff to class actions with millions of putative class members. These legal proceedings, as well as governmental examinations, involve various lines of business of the Company and a variety of claims (including, but not limited to, common law tort, contract, antitrust and consumer protection claims), some of which present novel factual allegations and/or unique legal theories. While some matters pending against the Company specify the damages claimed by the plaintiff, many seek a not-yet-quantified amount of damages or are at very early stages of the legal process. Even when the amount of damages claimed against the Company are stated, the claimed amount may be exaggerated and/or unsupported. As a result, some matters have not yet progressed sufficiently through discovery and/or development of important factual information and legal issues to enable the Company to estimate a range of possible loss.
	Other matters have progressed sufficiently through discovery and/or development of important factual information and legal issues so that the Company is able to estimate a range of possible loss. Accordingly, for those legal proceedings and governmental examinations disclosed or referred to in Legal Proceedings where a loss is reasonably possible in future periods, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, and for which the Company is able to estimate a range of possible loss, the current estimated range is zero to $440 million in excess of any accrued liability related to these matters. This aggregate range represents management's estimate of possible loss with respect to these matters and is based on currently available information. This estimated range of possible loss does not represent the Company's maximum loss exposure. The legal proceedings and governmental examinations underlying the estimated range will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from current estimates.
	Based on its current knowledge, and taking into consideration its litigation-related liabilities, the Company believes it is not a party to, nor are any of its properties the subject of, any pending legal proceeding or governmental examination that would have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or liquidity. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, the ultimate outcome of a particular matter could be material to the Company's operating results for a particular period depending on, among other factors, the size of the loss or liability imposed and the level of the Company's earnings for that period.

Reportable_Operating_Segment

Reportable Operating Segment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reportable Operating Segments	'
	16. Reportable Operating Segments
	The Company is a leading global payments and travel company that is principally engaged in businesses comprising four reportable operating segments: USCS, ICS, GCS and Global Network Merchant Services (GNMS). Corporate functions and auxiliary businesses, including the Company's Enterprise Growth Group, as well as other Company operations are included in Corporate & Other.
	The following table presents certain selected financial information for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)			2014		2013
	Non-interest revenues:
	USCS		$	3,017	$	2,878
	ICS			1,157		1,124
	GCS			1,249		1,220
	GNMS			1,293		1,234
	Corporate & Other, including adjustments and eliminations(a)			146		182
		Total	$	6,862	$	6,638
	Interest income:
	USCS		$	1,423	$	1,386
	ICS			277		290
	GCS			4		3
	GNMS			10		7
	Corporate & Other, including adjustments and eliminations(a)			62		76
		Total	$	1,776	$	1,762
	Interest expense:
	USCS		$	150	$	182
	ICS			82		97
	GCS			59		60
	GNMS			-62		-62
	Corporate & Other, including adjustments and eliminations(a)			210		242
		Total	$	439	$	519
	Total revenues, net of interest expense:
	USCS		$	4,290	$	4,082
	ICS			1,352		1,317
	GCS			1,194		1,163
	GNMS			1,365		1,303
	Corporate & Other, including adjustments and eliminations(a)			-2		16
		Total	$	8,199	$	7,881
	Net income (loss):
	USCS		$	876	$	804
	ICS			159		178
	GCS			184		191
	GNMS			443		373
	Corporate & Other, including adjustments and eliminations(a)			-230		-266
		Total	$	1,432	$	1,280
	Corporate & Other includes adjustments and eliminations for intersegment activity.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable And Loans and Reserves For Card Member Losses [Abstract]	'
Card Member and Other Receivables and Loans	'
	The Company's charge and lending payment card products result in the generation of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans, respectively. For information on the Company's accounts receivable and loans and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages 72 – 76 of the Annual Report.
	Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables
	Impaired loans and receivables are defined by GAAP as individual larger balance or homogeneous pools of smaller balance loans and receivables for which it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the Card Member agreement. For information on impaired Card Member loans and receivables and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report.
Reserves For Losses Policy [Abstract]	'
Reserves for losses	'
	Reserves for losses relating to Card Member loans and receivables represent management's best estimate of the probable inherent losses in the Company's outstanding portfolio of loans and receivables, as of the balance sheet date. Management's evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments. For information on the Company's reserves for losses and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 5 on pages 77 – 78 of the Annual Report.
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investment securities include debt and equity securities classified as available for sale. The Company's investment securities, principally debt securities, are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with unrealized gains (losses) recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI), net of income taxes. Realized gains and losses are recognized in results of operations upon disposition of the securities using the specific identification method on a trade date basis. For information on the Company's methodology for determining the fair value of investment securities and related accounting policies, refer to Note 3 on pages 68 – 71 of the Annual Report.
	Overall, for the investment securities in gross unrealized loss positions (i) the Company does not intend to sell the investment securities, (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the investment securities before recovery of the unrealized losses, and (iii) the Company expects that the contractual principal and interest will be received on the investment securities. As a result, the Company recognized no other-than-temporary impairment during the periods presented.
Asset Securitization [Abstract]	'
Asset Securitizations	'
	The Company periodically securitizes Card Member receivables and loans arising from its card business through the transfer of those assets to securitization trusts. The trusts then issue securities to third-party investors, collateralized by the transferred assets. For information on the Company's asset securitizations and related accounting policies, refer to Note 7 on page 80 of the Annual Report.
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Abstract]	'
Derivatives	'
	The Company uses derivative financial instruments (derivatives) to manage exposures to various market risks. Derivatives derive their value from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including interest rate, foreign exchange, and equity index or price. These instruments enable end users to increase, reduce or alter exposure to various market risks and, for that reason, are an integral component of the Company's market risk management. The Company does not engage in derivatives for trading purposes. For information on the Company's derivative instruments and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 12 on pages 87 – 90 of the Annual Report.
	Derivative Financial Instruments that Qualify for Hedge Accounting
	Refer to Note 12 on pages 89 – 90 of the Annual Report for information on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
	For information on derivatives not designated as hedges, refer to Note 12 on page 90 of the Annual Report.
Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Fair Values	'
	For information about the Company's valuation techniques for financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value and the fair value hierarchy, refer to Note 3 on pages 68 – 70 of the Annual Report. Refer to Note 12 on pages 87 – 90 of the Annual Report for additional information about the fair value of the Company's derivative financial instruments.
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and contingencies	'
	The Company has recorded liabilities for certain of its outstanding legal proceedings and governmental examinations. A liability is accrued when it is both (a) probable that a loss has occurred and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. There may be instances in which an exposure to loss exceeds the accrued liability. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings and governmental examinations that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the liability that has been previously accrued or a revision to the disclosed estimated range of possible losses, as applicable.

Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_

Accounts Receivable and Loans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Card Member receivables segment detail	'
	Accounts receivable as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of:
	(Millions)	2014			2013
	U.S. Card Services(a)	$	20,726		$	21,842
	International Card Services		7,153			7,771
	Global Commercial Services(b)		16,638			14,391
	Global Network & Merchant Services(c)		137			159
	Card Member receivables(d)		44,654			44,163
	Less: Reserve for losses		414			386
	Card Member receivables, net		44,240			43,777
	Other receivables, net(e)	$	3,134		$	3,408
	Includes $6.4 billion and $7.3 billion of gross Card Member receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity (VIE) as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Includes $885 million and $836 million due from airlines, of which Delta Air Lines (Delta) comprises $653 million and $628 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Includes receivables primarily related to the Company's International Currency Card portfolios.
	Includes approximately $13.9 billion and $13.8 billion of Card Member receivables outside the U.S. as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Other receivables primarily represent amounts related to (i) purchased joint venture receivables, (ii) Global Network Services (GNS) partner banks for items such as royalty and franchise fees, and (iii) certain merchants for billed discount revenue. Other receivables are presented net of reserves for losses of $66 million and $71 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Card Member loans segment detail	'
	Loans as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of:
	(Millions)		2014			2013
	U.S. Card Services(a)	$	55,801		$	58,395
	International Card Services		8,154			8,790
	Global Commercial Services		61			53
	Card Member loans		64,016			67,238
	Less: Reserve for losses		1,191			1,261
	Card Member loans, net		62,825			65,977
	Other loans, net(b)	$	651		$	608
	Includes approximately $28.7 billion and $31.2 billion of gross Card Member loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated VIE as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Other loans primarily represent loans to merchants and a store card loan portfolio. Other loans are presented net of reserves for losses of $9 million and $13 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Aging of Card Member loans and receivables	'
	The following table represents the aging of Card Member loans and receivables as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
						30-59			60-89			90+
						Days			Days			Days
						Past			Past			Past
	2014 (Millions)		Current			Due			Due			Due			Total
	Card Member Loans:
	U.S. Card Services	$	55,193		$	175		$	134		$	299		$	55,801
	International Card Services		8,013			48			30			63			8,154
	Card Member Receivables:
	U.S. Card Services	$	20,355		$	119		$	84		$	168		$	20,726
	International Card Services(a)		7,050			34			21			48			7,153
	Global Commercial Services		(b)			(b)			(b)			122			16,638
						30-59			60-89			90+
						Days			Days			Days
						Past			Past			Past
	2013 (Millions)		Current			Due			Due			Due			Total
	Card Member Loans:
	U.S. Card Services	$	57,772		$	183		$	134		$	306		$	58,395
	International Card Services		8,664			43			28			55			8,790
	Card Member Receivables:
	U.S. Card Services	$	21,488		$	125		$	69		$	160		$	21,842
	International Card Services		(b)			(b)			(b)			83			7,771
	Global Commercial Services		(b)			(b)			(b)			132			14,391
	Effective March 31, 2014, as a result of system enhancements, delinquency data is now available and presented on a prospective basis for the indicated aging categories. Comparable data for prior periods is not available. For risk management purposes, the Company has historically utilized 90 days past billing for the International Card Services (ICS) segment, as described below in (b).
	Data for periods prior to 90 days past billing are not available due to system constraints. Therefore, such data have not been utilized for risk management purposes. The balances that are current to 89 days past due can be derived as the difference between the Total and the 90+ Days Past Due balances. For Card Member receivables in Global Commercial Services (GCS) as of March 31, 2014 and ICS and GCS as of December 31, 2013, delinquency data is tracked based on days past billing status rather than days past due. A Card Member account is considered 90 days past billing if payment has not been received within 90 days of the Card Member's billing statement date. In addition, if the Company initiates collection procedures on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member receivable balance is considered as 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes.
Credit quality indicators for loans and receivables	'
	The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the three months ended March 31:
		2014						2013
		Net Write-Off Rate						Net Write-Off Rate
						30 Days						30 Days
				Principal,		Past Due				Principal,		Past Due
		Principal		Interest, &		as a % of		Principal		Interest, &		as a % of
		Only	(a)	Fees	(a)	Total		Only	(a)	Fees	(a)	Total
	Card Member Loans:
	U.S. Card Services	1.7	%	1.9	%	1.1	%	2	%	2.2	%	1.2	%
	International Card Services(b)	2.2	%	2.7	%	1.7	%	1.8	%	2.3	%	1.7	%
	Card Member Receivables:
	U.S. Card Services	1.8	%	2	%	1.8	%	2	%	2.2	%	1.9	%
	International Card Services(b)	1.9	%	2	%	1.4	%	(c)		(c)		(c)
						2014				2013
						Net Loss				Net Loss
						Ratio as		90 Days		Ratio as		90 Days
						a % of		Past Billing		a % of		Past Billing
						Charge		as a % of		Charge		as a % of
						Volume		Receivables		Volume		Receivables
	Card Member Receivables:
	International Card Services					(c)		(c)		0.18	%	1.1	%
	Global Commercial Services					0.09	%	0.7	%	0.08	%	0.7	%
	The Company presents a net write-off rate based on principal losses only (i.e., excluding interest and/or fees) to be consistent with industry convention. In addition, because the Company's practice is to include uncollectible interest and/or fees as part of its total provision for losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented.
	For the period ending March 31, 2014, write-offs for certain installment loan products have been reclassified from Card Member receivables to Card Member loans.
	Historically, net loss ratio as a % of charge volume and 90 days past billings as a % of receivables were presented. Effective March 31, 2014, as a result of system enhancements, 30 days past due as a % of total, Net write-off rate (principal only) and Net write-off rate (principal and fees) have been presented.
Impaired Card Member loans and receivables	'
	The following table provides additional information with respect to the Company's impaired Card Member loans, which are not significant for GCS, and Card Member receivables, which are not significant for ICS and GCS, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 or for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
		As of March 31, 2014																		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
			Loans over
			90 Days						Loans &			Total									Average
			Past Due			Non-			Receivables			Impaired			Unpaid					Balance of			Interest
		& Accruing				Accrual			Modified			Loans &		Principal				Allowance			Impaired		Income
	2014 (Millions)		Interest	(a)		Loans	(b)		as a TDR	(c)		Receivables			Balance	(d)		for TDRs	(e)		Loans		Recognized
	Card Member Loans:
	U.S. Card Services	$	181		$	220		$	337		$	738		$	687		$	80		$	793	$	16
	International Card Services		62			2			―			64			64			―			63		4
	Card Member Receivables:
	U.S. Card Services		―			―			49			49			48			36			50		―
	Total	$	243		$	222		$	386		$	851		$	799		$	116		$	906	$	20
		As of December 31, 2013																		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
			Loans over
			90 Days						Loans &			Total									Average
			Past Due			Non-			Receivables			Impaired			Unpaid					Balance of			Interest
		& Accruing				Accrual			Modified			Loans &		Principal				Allowance			Impaired		Income
	2013 (Millions)		Interest	(a)		Loans	(b)		as a TDR	(c)		Receivables			Balance	(d)	for TDRs		(e)		Loans		Recognized
	Card Member Loans:
	U.S. Card Services	$	170		$	244		$	373		$	787		$	731		$	84		$	1,105	$	12
	International Card Services		54			4			5			63			62			―			70		4
	Card Member Receivables:
	U.S. Card Services		―			―			50			50			49			38			115		―
	Total	$	224		$	248		$	428		$	900		$	842		$	122		$	1,290	$	16
	The Company's policy is generally to accrue interest through the date of write-off (i.e., at 180 days past due). The Company establishes reserves for interest that the Company believes will not be collected. Amounts presented exclude loans modified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR).
	Non-accrual loans not in modification programs include certain Card Member loans placed with outside collection agencies for which the Company has ceased accruing interest.
	Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR includes $91 million and $92 million that are non-accrual and $27 million and $26 million that are past due 90 days and still accruing interest as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Unpaid principal balance consists of Card Member charges billed and excludes other amounts charged directly by the Company such as interest and fees.
	Represents the reserve for losses for TDRs, which are evaluated individually for impairment. The Company records a reserve for losses for all impaired loans. Refer to Card Member Loans Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment in Note 4 for further information regarding the reserve for losses on loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest and non-accrual loans, which are evaluated collectively for impairment.
Troubled debt restructurings	'
	The following table provides additional information with respect to the U.S. Card Services (USCS) Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs during the three months ended March 31. The ICS and GCS Card Member loans and receivables modifications were not significant. For information on TDRs and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report.
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-14
									Average
							Average		Payment
		Number of		Outstanding			Interest Rate		Term
		Accounts		Balances(a)(b)			Reduction		Extension
		(in thousands)			($ in millions)		(% Points)		(# of Months)
	Troubled Debt Restructurings:
	Card Member Loans	12		$	96		14		(c)
	Card Member Receivables	4			47		(c)		12
	Total	16		$	143
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-13
									Average
							Average		Payment
		Number of		Outstanding			Interest Rate		Term
		Accounts		Balances(a)(b)			Reduction		Extension
		(in thousands)			($ in millions)		(% Points)		(# of Months)
	Troubled Debt Restructurings:
	Card Member Loans	23		$	172		13		(c)
	Card Member Receivables	8			104		(c)		12
	Total	31		$	276
	Represents the outstanding balance immediately prior to modification. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 modifications reduced the aggregate principal balance by nil and $4 million, respectively.
	The outstanding balance includes principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables.
	For Card Member loans, there have been no payment term extensions. The Company does not offer interest rate reduction programs for Card Member receivables as the receivables are non-interest-bearing.
Troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted	'
	The following table provides information for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, with respect to the USCS Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs that subsequently defaulted within 12 months of modification. A Card Member is considered to have been in default from a modification program after one and up to two consecutive missed payments, depending on the terms of the modification program. For all Card Members that defaulted from a modification program, the probability of default is factored into the reserves for Card Member loans and receivables. The defaulted ICS Card Member loan and receivable modifications were not significant.
		2014						2013
						Aggregated						Aggregated
					Outstanding						Outstanding
			Number of			Balances			Number of			Balances
	(Accounts in thousands, Dollars in millions)		Accounts		Upon Default(a)				Accounts		Upon Default(a)
	Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted:
	Card Member Loans		2		$	20			5		$	48
	Card Member Receivables		1			7			1			12
	Total		3		$	27			6		$	60
	The outstanding balance includes principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables.

Reserves_For_Losses_Tables

Reserves For Losses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Reserves For Losses Tables [Abstract]	'
Changes in the Card Member receivable reserve for losses	'
	The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)				2014			2013
	Balance, January 1				$	386		$	428
		Provisions(a)				215			154
		Net write-offs(b)				-170			-178
		Other(c)				-17			6
	Balance, March 31				$	414		$	410
	Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee reserve components.
	Consists of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries of $92 million and $99 million, including net write-offs from TDRs of $2 million and $14 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Effective March 31, 2014, amounts previously reserved for unauthorized transactions of $(7) million have been reclassified to other liabilities on a prospective basis. Also included are foreign currency translation adjustments of nil and $(2) million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively and other items of $(10) million and $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Card Member receivables and related reserves evaluated separately and collectively for impairment	'
	The following table presents Card Member receivables evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	(Millions)		2014			2013
	Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment(a)		$	49		$	50
	Related reserves (a)		$	36		$	38
	Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment		$	44,605		$	44,113
	Related reserves (b)		$	378		$	348
	Represents receivables modified in a TDR and related reserves. Refer to the Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables discussion in Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report for further information.
	The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of receivables and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to receivables that are collectively evaluated for impairment and are not specific to any individual pool of receivables.
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses	'
	The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)				2014			2013
	Balance, January 1				$	1,261		$	1,471
		Provisions(a)				250			243
		Net write-offs
			Principal(b)			-280			-304
			Interest and fees(b)			-42			-38
		Other(c)				2			-5
	Balance, March 31				$	1,191		$	1,367
	Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions), interest and fee reserves components.
	Consists of principal write-offs (resulting from authorized transactions), less recoveries of $107 million and $114 million, including net write-offs from TDRs of $(2) million and $6 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Recoveries of interest and fees were de minimis.
	Effective March 31, 2014, reserves related to unauthorized transactions of $(6) million are reflected in other liabilities. All periods include foreign currency translation adjustments of $(1) million for both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, and other items of $9 million and $(4) million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Card Member loans and related reserves evaluated separately and collectively for impairment	'
	The following table presents Card Member loans evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	(Millions)		2014			2013
	Card Member loans evaluated individually for impairment(a)		$	337		$	378
	Related reserves (a)		$	80		$	84
	Card Member loans evaluated collectively for impairment(b)		$	63,679		$	66,860
	Related reserves (b)		$	1,111		$	1,177
	Represents loans modified in a TDR and related reserves. Refer to the Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables discussion in Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report for further information.
	Represents current loans and loans less than 90 days past due, loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest, and non-accrual loans. The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of loans and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and are not specific to any individual pool of loans.

Investment_Securities_Tables

Investment Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investment Securities (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type	'
	The following is a summary of investment securities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
			2014												2013
							Gross			Gross			Estimated						Gross		Gross		Estimated
							Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair						Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Description of Securities (Millions)			Cost			Gains			Losses			Value			Cost			Gains		Losses		Value
	State and municipal obligations		$	3,957		$	96		$	-20		$	4,033		$	4,060		$	54	$	-79	$	4,035
	U.S. Government agency
		obligations		3			―			―			3			3			―		―		3
	U.S. Government treasury
		obligations		268			4			-1			271			318			3		-1		320
	Corporate debt securities			43			3			―			46			43			3		―		46
	Mortgage-backed securities (a)			151			6			―			157			160			5		-1		164
	Equity securities (b)			17			51			―			68			29			95		―		124
	Foreign government bonds and
		obligations		129			6			―			135			272			5		-1		276
	Other (c)			50			―			-2			48			50			―		-2		48
	Total		$	4,618		$	166		$	-23		$	4,761		$	4,935		$	165	$	-84	$	5,016
	Represents mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae.
	Primarily represents the Company's investment in the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
	Other comprises investments in various mutual funds.
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'
	The following table provides information about the Company's investment securities with gross unrealized losses and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
			2014												2013
			Less than 12 months						12 months or more						Less than 12 months					12 months or more
							Gross						Gross						Gross				Gross
				Estimated			Unrealized			Estimated			Unrealized			Estimated			Unrealized		Estimated		Unrealized
	Description of Securities (Millions)			Fair Value			Losses			Fair Value			Losses			Fair Value			Losses		Fair Value		Losses
	State and municipal obligations		$	351		$	-13		$	115		$	-7		$	1,320		$	-63	$	106	$	-16
	Foreign government bonds and
		obligations		―			―			―			―			208			-1		―		―
	U.S. Government treasury
		obligations		128			-1			―			―			166			-1		―		―
	Mortgage-backed securities			―			―			―			―			35			-1		―		―
	Other			30			-1			17			-1			30			-1		17		-1
	Total		$	509		$	-15		$	132		$	-8		$	1,759		$	-67	$	123	$	-17
Available for Sale Securities Ratio of Fair Value to Amortized Cost	'
	The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses due to temporary impairments by ratio of fair value to amortized cost as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
			Less than 12 months								12 months or more								Total
	Ratio of Fair Value to								Gross								Gross						Gross
	Amortized Cost		Number of			Estimated			Unrealized		Number of			Estimated			Unrealized		Number of		Estimated		Unrealized
	(Dollars in millions)		Securities			Fair Value			Losses		Securities			Fair Value			Losses		Securities		Fair Value		Losses
	2014:00:00
	90%–100%		58		$	509		$	-15		10		$	123		$	-7		68	$	632	$	-22
	Less than 90%		―			―			―		1			9			-1		1		9		-1
	Total as of March 31, 2014		58		$	509		$	-15		11		$	132		$	-8		69	$	641	$	-23
	2013:00:00
	90%–100%		228		$	1,665		$	-53		6		$	24		$	-2		234	$	1,689	$	-55
	Less than 90%		13			94			-14		5			99			-15		18		193		-29
	Total as of December 31, 2013		241		$	1,759		$	-67		11		$	123		$	-17		252	$	1,882	$	-84
Contractual maturities of investment securities	'
	Contractual maturities of investment securities, excluding equity securities and other securities, as of March 31, 2014 were as follows:
							Estimated
	(Millions)			Cost			Fair Value
	Due within 1 year		$	333		$	333
	Due after 1 year but within 5 years			451			459
	Due after 5 years but within 10 years			208			220
	Due after 10 years			3,559			3,633
	Total		$	4,551		$	4,645

Asset_Securitizations_Tables

Asset Securitizations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Restricted cash held by trusts	'
	The following table provides information on the restricted cash held by the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust) and the American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust) as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, included in other assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	(Millions)	2014		2013
	Charge Trust	$	1	$	2
	Lending Trust		697		56
	Total	$	698	$	58

Customer_Deposits_Tables

Customer Deposits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Customer Deposits (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Deposits By Component Alternative	'
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, customer deposits were categorized as interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing, as follows:
	(Millions)				2014			2013
	U.S.:
		Interest-bearing			$	41,853		$	40,831
		Non-interest-bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of:
			2014, $298 million; 2013, $340 million)			317			360
	Non-U.S.:
		Interest-bearing				110			121
		Non-interest-bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of:
			2014, $373 million; 2013, $437 million)			391			451
	Total customer deposits				$	42,671		$	41,763
Deposits By Type	'
	Customer deposits by deposit type as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
	(Millions)				2014			2013
	U.S. retail deposits:
		Savings accounts – Direct			$	26,276		$	24,550
		Certificates of deposit:
			Direct			402			489
			Third-party			6,325			6,929
		Sweep accounts – Third-party				8,850			8,863
	Other retail deposits:
		Non-U.S. deposits and U.S. non-interest bearing deposits				147			155
	Card Member credit balances ― U.S. and non-U.S.					671			777
	Total customer deposits				$	42,671		$	41,763
Time Deposits By Maturity	'
	The scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit as of March 31, 2014 were as follows:
	(Millions)		U.S.			Non-U.S.			Total
	2014		$	2,000		$	3		$	2,003
	2015			1,247			1			1,248
	2016			1,673			―			1,673
	2017			572			―			572
	2018			1,042			―			1,042
	After 5 years			193			―			193
	Total		$	6,727		$	4		$	6,731
Time Deposits $100,000 Or More	'
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more were as follows:
	(Millions)		2014			2013
	U.S.		$	269		$	324
	Non-U.S.			2			2
	Total		$	271		$	326

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Schedule of derivative instruments in statement of financial position, fair value	'
	The following table summarizes the total fair value, excluding interest accruals, of derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
				Other Assets						Other Liabilities
				Fair Value						Fair Value
	(Millions)			2014			2013			2014		2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Interest rate contracts
		Fair value hedges		$	412		$	455		$	11	$	2
	Total return contract
		Fair value hedge			―			8			2		―
	Foreign exchange contracts
		Net investment hedges			62			174			180		116
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments				474			637			193		118
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
		Foreign exchange contracts, including certain embedded derivatives(a)			126			64			54		95
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments				126			64			54		95
	Total derivatives, gross				600			701			247		213
	Cash collateral netting(b)				-295			-336			-12		―
	Derivative asset and derivative liability netting(c)				-54			-36			-54		-36
	Total derivatives, net(d)			$	251		$	329		$	181	$	177
	Includes foreign currency derivatives embedded in certain operating agreements.
	Represents the offsetting of derivative instruments and the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising from derivative instrument(s) executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement. Additionally, the Company posted $50 million and $26 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are not netted against the derivative balances.
	Represents the amount of netting of derivative assets and derivative liabilities executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.
	The Company has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and derivative liabilities are presented within other assets and other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Effect of fair value hedges on results of operations	'
	The following table summarizes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income associated with the Company's hedges of its fixed-rate long-term debt and its investment in ICBC for the three months ended March 31:
	For the Three Months Ended March 31: (Millions)
			Gains (losses) recognized in income
			Derivative contract								Hedged item					Net hedge
					Amount							Amount				ineffectiveness
	Derivative relationship		Income Statement Line Item		2014			2013			Income Statement Line Item	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Interest rate contracts		Other expenses		$	-51		$	-104		Other expenses	$	51	$	110	$	―	$	6
	Total return contract		Other non-interest revenues			13			4		Other non-interest revenues		-13		-4		―		―
Derivative instruments gain loss recognized in income	'
	The following table summarizes the impact on pretax earnings of derivatives not designated as hedges, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31:
			Pretax gains
					Amount
	Description (Millions)		Income Statement Line Item		2014			2013
	Foreign exchange contracts (a)		Other non-interest revenues		$	―		$	1
			Other expenses			134			171
	Total				$	134		$	172
	Foreign exchange contracts include embedded foreign currency derivatives. Gains on these embedded derivatives are included in other expenses.

Fair_Values_Tables

Fair Values (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Values (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis	'
	The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP's valuation hierarchy, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
					2014												2013
	(Millions)				Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Investment securities:(a)
		Equity securities			$	68		$	68		$	―		$	―		$	124		$	124	$	―	$	―
		Debt securities and other				4,693			271			4,422			―			4,892			320		4,572		―
	Derivatives(a)					600			―			600			―			701			―		701		―
	Total assets					5,361			339			5,022			―			5,717			444		5,273		―
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives(a)					247			―			247			―			213			―		213		―
	Total liabilities				$	247		$	―		$	247		$	―		$	213		$	―	$	213	$	―
	Refer to Note 5 for the fair values of investment securities and to Note 8 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis.
Estimated fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities	'
	The following table discloses the estimated fair value for the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates based upon the market conditions and perceived risks as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and require management judgment. These figures may not be indicative of their future fair values. The fair value of the Company cannot be reliably estimated by aggregating the amounts presented.
							Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2014 (Billions)						Value			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value
				Cash and cash equivalents		$	21		$	21		$	20		$	1	(a)	$	―
				Other financial assets(b)		$	49		$	49		$	―		$	49		$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Loans, net		$	63		$	64	(c)	$	―		$	0		$	64
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value			$	60		$	60		$	―		$	60		$	―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than
			fair value
				Certificates of deposit(d)		$	7		$	7		$	―		$	7		$	―
				Long-term debt		$	54		$	56	(c)	$	―		$	56		$	―
							Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2013 (Billions)						Value			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value
				Cash and cash equivalents		$	19		$	19		$	17		$	2	(a)	$	―
				Other financial assets(b)		$	48		$	48		$	―		$	48		$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Loans, net		$	67		$	67	(c)	$	―		$	―		$	67
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value			$	60		$	60		$	―		$	60		$	―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than
			fair value
				Certificates of deposit(d)		$	7		$	8		$	―		$	8		$	―
				Long-term debt		$	55		$	58	(c)	$	―		$	58		$	―
	Reflects time deposits.
	Includes accounts receivable (including fair values of Card Member receivables of $6.4 billion and $7.3 billion held by consolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively), restricted cash and other miscellaneous assets.
	Includes fair values of loans of $28.5 billion and $31.0 billion, and long-term debt of $15.3 billion and $18.8 billion held by consolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Presented as a component of customer deposits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Guarantees_Tables

Guarantees (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Guarantees (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Information related to guarantees	'
	The following table provides information related to such guarantees as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		Maximum potential
		undiscounted future
		payments(a)				Related liability(b)
		(Billions)				(Millions)
	Type of Guarantee	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Card and travel operations(c)	$	42	$	44	$	46	$	88
	Other(d)		1		1		74		73
	Total	$	43	$	45	$	120	$	161
	Represents the notional amounts that could be lost under the guarantees and indemnifications if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties.
	Included in other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Primarily includes Return Protection and Merchant Protection. The maximum potential undiscounted future payments for Merchant Protection are measured using management's best estimate of maximum exposure based on all eligible claims in relation to annual billed business volumes.
	Primarily includes guarantees related to the Company's business dispositions and real estate.

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C1

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Components of Comprehensive Income, net of tax [Abstract]	'
Components of comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'
	Changes in each component of AOCI for the three months ended March 31 were as follows:
	2014 (Millions), net of tax		Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
	Balances as of December 31, 2013		$	63		$	-1,090		$	-399		$	-1,426
	Net unrealized gains			68									68
	Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings			-29			1						-28
	Net translation of investments in foreign operations						-18						-18
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations						-17						-17
	Pension and other postretirement benefit losses									27			27
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income			39			-34			27			32
	Balances as of March 31, 2014		$	102		$	-1,124		$	-372		$	-1,394
	2013 (Millions), net of tax		Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
	Balances as of December 31, 2012		$	315		$	-754		$	-488		$	-927
	Net unrealized (losses)			-12									-12
	Reclassification for realized (gains) into earnings			-23									-23
	Net translation of investments in foreign operations						11						11
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations						-56						-56
	Pension and other postretirement benefit losses									27			27
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income			-35			-45			27			-53
	Balances as of March 31, 2013		$	280		$	-799		$	-461		$	-980
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	'
	The following table presents the effects of reclassifications out of AOCI and into the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
					(Gains) losses recognized in income
								2014			2013
	Description (Millions)				Income Statement Line Item		Amount			Amount
	Available-for-sale securities
		Net gain in AOCI reclassifications for previously unrealized net gains on investment
			securities		Other non-interest revenues		$	-45		$	-36
		Related income tax expense			Income tax provision			16			13
		Reclassification to net income related to available-for-sale securities						-29			-23
	Foreign currency translation adjustments
		Reclassification of realized losses on translation adjustments and related
			hedges		Other expenses			2			―
		Related income tax expense			Income tax provision			-1			―
		Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustments						1			―
	Total						$	-28		$	-23

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_EPS_

Earnings Per Common Share (EPS) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]	'
Computation of basic and diluted EPS	'
	The computations of basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31 were as follows:
	(Millions, except per share amounts)			2014			2013
	Numerator:
		Basic and diluted:
			Net income	$	1,432	$	1,280
			Earnings allocated to participating share awards(a)		-12		-11
			Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	1,420	$	1,269
	Denominator:(a)
		Basic: Weighted-average common stock			1,060		1,099
		Add: Weighted-average stock options(b)			7		7
		Diluted			1,067		1,106
	Basic EPS			$	1.34	$	1.15
	Diluted EPS			$	1.33	$	1.15
	The Company's unvested restricted stock awards, which include the right to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents, are considered participating securities. Calculations of EPS under the two-class method exclude from the numerator any dividends paid or owed on participating securities and any undistributed earnings considered to be attributable to participating securities. The related participating securities are similarly excluded from the denominator.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the dilutive effect of unexercised stock options excludes 0.2 million and 0.9 million of options, respectively, from the computation of EPS because inclusion of the options would have been anti-dilutive.

NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens1

Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Cost And Expense Disclosure Operating (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Details of other commissions and fees	'
	The following is a detail of other commissions and fees for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2014		2013
	Foreign currency conversion fee revenue		$	213	$	210
	Delinquency fees			181		164
	Loyalty Partner			91		75
	Service fees			90		82
	Other(a)			43		42
		Total other commissions and fees	$	618	$	573
	Other primarily includes fee revenue from fees related to Membership Rewards programs.
Details of other revenues	'
	The following is a detail of other revenues for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2014		2013
	Global Network Services partner revenues		$	158	$	144
	Net gain on investment securities			39		36
	Other(a)			304		357
		Total other revenues	$	501	$	537
	Other includes revenues arising from foreign exchange gains on cross-border Card Member spending, merchant-related fees, insurance premiums earned from Card Member travel and other insurance programs, Travelers Cheques-related revenues, and other miscellaneous revenue and fees.
Detail of marketing, promotion, rewards and Card Member services	'
	The following is a detail of marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2014		2013
	Marketing and promotion		$	613	$	621
	Card Member rewards			1,582		1,520
	Card Member services and other			222		189
		Total marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other	$	2,417	$	2,330
Detail of other, net expense	'
	The following is a detail of other, net expenses for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2014		2013
	Professional services		$	692	$	716
	Occupancy and equipment			462		472
	Communications			93		96
	Other(a)			302		327
		Total other, net	$	1,549	$	1,611
	Other expense includes general operating expenses, expenses for unauthorized transactions, gains (losses) on sale of assets or businesses not classified as discontinued operations, litigation, certain internal and regulatory review-related reimbursements and insurance costs or settlements, investment impairments and certain Loyalty Partner expenses.

Reportable_Operating_Segment_T

Reportable Operating Segment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]	'
Operating segment information	'
	The following table presents certain selected financial information for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)			2014		2013
	Non-interest revenues:
	USCS		$	3,017	$	2,878
	ICS			1,157		1,124
	GCS			1,249		1,220
	GNMS			1,293		1,234
	Corporate & Other, including adjustments and eliminations(a)			146		182
		Total	$	6,862	$	6,638
	Interest income:
	USCS		$	1,423	$	1,386
	ICS			277		290
	GCS			4		3
	GNMS			10		7
	Corporate & Other, including adjustments and eliminations(a)			62		76
		Total	$	1,776	$	1,762
	Interest expense:
	USCS		$	150	$	182
	ICS			82		97
	GCS			59		60
	GNMS			-62		-62
	Corporate & Other, including adjustments and eliminations(a)			210		242
		Total	$	439	$	519
	Total revenues, net of interest expense:
	USCS		$	4,290	$	4,082
	ICS			1,352		1,317
	GCS			1,194		1,163
	GNMS			1,365		1,303
	Corporate & Other, including adjustments and eliminations(a)			-2		16
		Total	$	8,199	$	7,881
	Net income (loss):
	USCS		$	876	$	804
	ICS			159		178
	GCS			184		191
	GNMS			443		373
	Corporate & Other, including adjustments and eliminations(a)			-230		-266
		Total	$	1,432	$	1,280
	Corporate & Other includes adjustments and eliminations for intersegment activity.

Divestitures_Details_Textuals

Divestitures (Details Textuals) (Subsequent Event [Member])	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Ownership percentage by the Company	50.00%

Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_1

Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts receivable segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	$44,654,000,000	$44,163,000,000	'	'
Less: Reserve for losses	414,000,000	386,000,000	410,000,000	428,000,000
Card Member receivables, net	44,240,000,000	43,777,000,000	'	'
Other receivables, net	3,134,000,000	3,408,000,000	'	'
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Other receivables, reserves	66,000,000	71,000,000	'	'
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	6,387,000,000	7,329,000,000	'	'
Non United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	13,900,000,000	13,800,000,000	'	'
U S Card Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	20,726,000,000	21,842,000,000	'	'
U S Card Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity	6,400,000,000	7,300,000,000	'	'
International Card Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	7,153,000,000	7,771,000,000	'	'
Global Commercial Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	16,638,000,000	14,391,000,000	'	'
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	885,000,000	836,000,000	'	'
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member] | Delta [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	653,000,000	628,000,000	'	'
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	$137,000,000	$159,000,000	'	'

Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_2

Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Loans segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member loans, gross	$64,016,000,000	$67,238,000,000	'	'
Less: Reserve for losses	1,191,000,000	1,261,000,000	1,367,000,000	1,471,000,000
Card Member loans, net	62,825,000,000	65,977,000,000	'	'
Other loans, net	651,000,000	608,000,000	'	'
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Other loans, reserves	9,000,000	13,000,000	'	'
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]	'	'	'	'
Loans segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member loans, gross	28,687,000,000	31,245,000,000	'	'
U S Card Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Loans segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member loans, gross	55,801,000,000	58,395,000,000	'	'
U S Card Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Gross Card Member loans available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity	28,700,000,000	31,200,000,000	'	'
International Card Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Loans segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member loans, gross	8,154,000,000	8,790,000,000	'	'
Global Commercial Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Loans segment information	'	'	'	'
Card Member loans, gross	$61,000,000	$53,000,000	'	'

Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_3

Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'
Financing receivable recorded investment aging	'	'
Current	$55,193	$57,772
30 to 59 days past due	175	183
60 to 89 days past due	134	134
90+ days past due	299	306
Total aging	55,801	58,395
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Financing receivable recorded investment aging	'	'
Current	20,355	21,488
30 to 59 days past due	119	125
60 to 89 days past due	84	69
90+ days past due	168	160
Total aging	20,726	21,842
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'
Financing receivable recorded investment aging	'	'
Current	8,013	8,664
30 to 59 days past due	48	43
60 to 89 days past due	30	28
90+ days past due	63	55
Total aging	8,154	8,790
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Financing receivable recorded investment aging	'	'
Current	7,050	'
30 to 59 days past due	34	'
60 to 89 days past due	21	'
90+ days past due	48	83
Total aging	7,153	7,771
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Financing receivable recorded investment aging	'	'
90+ days past due	122	132
Total aging	$16,638	$14,391

Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_4

Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 3)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables	'	'
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only	1.70%	2.00%
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal, Interest, and Fees	1.90%	2.20%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.10%	1.20%
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables	'	'
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only	1.80%	2.00%
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal, Interest, and Fees	2.00%	2.20%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.80%	1.90%
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables	'	'
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only	2.20%	1.80%
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal, Interest, and Fees	2.70%	2.30%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.70%	1.70%
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables	'	'
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only	1.90%	'
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal, Interest, and Fees	2.00%	'
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.40%	'
Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume	'	0.18%
90 days past billing as a percentage of receivables	'	1.10%
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables	'	'
Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume	0.09%	0.08%
90 days past billing as a percentage of receivables	0.70%	0.70%

Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_5

Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Impaired loans and receivables	'	'	'
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest	$243	'	$224
Non-accrual loans	222	'	248
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	386	'	428
Total impaired loans and receivables	851	'	900
Unpaid principal balance	799	'	842
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	116	'	122
Average balance of impaired loans	906	1,290	'
Interest income recognized	20	16	'
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR, non-accrual	91	'	92
Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR, past due 90 days and still accruing	27	'	26
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'	'
Impaired loans and receivables	'	'	'
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest	181	'	170
Non-accrual loans	220	'	244
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	337	'	373
Total impaired loans and receivables	738	'	787
Unpaid principal balance	687	'	731
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	80	'	84
Average balance of impaired loans	793	1,105	'
Interest income recognized	16	12	'
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'	'
Impaired loans and receivables	'	'	'
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest	0	'	0
Non-accrual loans	0	'	0
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	49	'	50
Total impaired loans and receivables	49	'	50
Unpaid principal balance	48	'	49
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	36	'	38
Average balance of impaired loans	50	115	'
Interest income recognized	0	0	'
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'	'
Impaired loans and receivables	'	'	'
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest	62	'	54
Non-accrual loans	2	'	4
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	0	'	5
Total impaired loans and receivables	64	'	63
Unpaid principal balance	64	'	62
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	0	'	0
Average balance of impaired loans	63	70	'
Interest income recognized	$4	$4	'

Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_6

Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]	'	'
Difference between pre- and post-modification outstanding balances	$0	$4
U S Card Services [Member]	'	'
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Accounts	16,000	31,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balance	143	276
Card Member Loans [Member] | U S Card Services [Member]	'	'
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Accounts	12,000	23,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balance	96	172
Average basis point reduction in interest rate by class of Card Member loans	14.00%	13.00%
Card Member Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member]	'	'
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Accounts	4,000	8,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balance	$47	$104
Average payment term extension	12	12

Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_7

Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 6) (U S Card Services [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	Account	Account
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Accounts	3,000	6,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default	$27	$60
Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Accounts	2,000	5,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default	20	48
Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Accounts	1,000	1,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default	$7	$12

Reserves_for_Losses_Details

Reserves for Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses	'	'
Balance, January 1	$386	$428
Card Member receivables - provisions	215	154
Card Member receivables - net write-offs	-170	-178
Card Member receivables - other	-17	6
Balance, March 31	$414	$410

Reserves_for_Losses_Details_1

Reserves for Losses (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Card Member Receivables And Related Reserves Evaluated Separately and Collectively For Impairment [Abstract]	'	'
Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment	$49	$50
Reserves on Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment	36	38
Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment	44,605	44,113
Reserves on Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment	$378	$348

Reserves_for_Losses_Details_2

Reserves for Losses (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses	'	'
Balance, January 1	$1,261	$1,471
Card Member loans - provisions	250	243
Card Member loans net write-offs - principal	-280	-304
Card Member loans net write-offs - interest and fees	-42	-38
Card Member loans - other	2	-5
Balance, March 31	$1,191	$1,367

Reserves_For_Losses_Details_3

Reserves For Losses (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Card Member Loans And Related Reserves Evaluated Separately And Collectively For Impairment [Abstract]	'	'
Card Member loans evaluated individually for impairment	$337	$378
Reserves on Card Member loans evaluated individually for impairment	80	84
Card Member loans evaluated collectively for impairment	63,679	66,860
Reserves on Card Member loans evaluated collectively for impairment	$1,111	$1,177

Reserves_For_Losses_Details_Te

Reserves For Losses (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Card Member receivables - other	($17)	$6
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other	2	-5
Allowance for Card Member Receivables and Reserves, Recoveries of Bad Debts	92	99
Allowance for Card Member Loans, Recoveries of Bad Debts	107	114
Allowance for Card Member Receivables, Recoveries of Bad Debts - TDR	2	14
Allowance for Card Member Loans, Recoveries of Bad Debts - TDR	-2	6
Unauthorized Transactions [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Card Member receivables - other	-7	'
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other	-6	'
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Card Member receivables - other	0	-2
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other	-1	-1
Other Items [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Card Member receivables - other	-10	8
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other	$9	($4)

Investment_Securities_Details

Investment Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type	'	'
Cost	$4,618	$4,935
Gross Unrealized Gains	166	165
Gross Unrealized Losses	-23	-84
Estimated Fair Value	4,761	5,016
U.S. States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type	'	'
Cost	3,957	4,060
Gross Unrealized Gains	96	54
Gross Unrealized Losses	-20	-79
Estimated Fair Value	4,033	4,035
U.S. Government agency obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type	'	'
Cost	3	3
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	3	3
U.S. Government treasury obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type	'	'
Cost	268	318
Gross Unrealized Gains	4	3
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-1
Estimated Fair Value	271	320
Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type	'	'
Cost	43	43
Gross Unrealized Gains	3	3
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	46	46
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type	'	'
Cost	151	160
Gross Unrealized Gains	6	5
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	-1
Estimated Fair Value	157	164
Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type	'	'
Cost	17	29
Gross Unrealized Gains	51	95
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	68	124
Foreign government bonds and obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type	'	'
Cost	129	272
Gross Unrealized Gains	6	5
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	-1
Estimated Fair Value	135	276
Availabe For Sale Securities Other [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type	'	'
Cost	50	50
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	-2	-2
Estimated Fair Value	$48	$48

Investment_Securities_Details_

Investment Securities (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months	$509	$1,759
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more	132	123
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	-15	-67
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more	-8	-17
U.S. States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months	351	1,320
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more	115	106
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	-13	-63
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more	-7	-16
Foreign government bonds and obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months	0	208
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	0	-1
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more	0	0
U.S. Government agency obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months	128	166
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	-1	-1
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more	0	0
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months	0	35
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	0	-1
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more	0	0
Other [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months	30	30
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more	17	17
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	-1	-1
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more	($1)	($1)

Investment_Securities_Details_1

Investment Securities (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	securities	securities
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Number of securities, less than 12 months	58	241
Number of securities, 12 months or more	11	11
Number of securities, total	69	252
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months	$509	$1,759
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more	132	123
Estimated Fair Value, Total	641	1,882
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	-15	-67
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more	-8	-17
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-23	-84
Ratio Of Fair Value To Amortized Cost Between Ninety And One Hundred Percent [Member]	'	'
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Number of securities, less than 12 months	58	228
Number of securities, 12 months or more	10	6
Number of securities, total	68	234
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months	509	1,665
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more	123	24
Estimated Fair Value, Total	632	1,689
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	-15	-53
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more	-7	-2
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-22	-55
Ratio Of Fair Value To Amortized Cost Less Than Ninety Percent [Member]	'	'
Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Number of securities, less than 12 months	0	13
Number of securities, 12 months or more	1	5
Number of securities, total	1	18
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months	0	94
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more	9	99
Estimated Fair Value, Total	9	193
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	0	-14
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more	-1	-15
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	($1)	($29)

Investment_Securities_Details_2

Investment Securities (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Amortized Cost [Abstract]	'	'
Due within 1 year	$333	$333
Due after 1 year but within 5 years	451	459
Due after 5 years but within 10 years	208	220
Due after 10 years	3,559	3,633
Total	$4,551	$4,645

Investment_Securities_Details_3

Investment Securities (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment Securities (Details) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments recognized during the period	$0	'	$0
Gain on sale of securities	39	36	'
Losses on sale of securities	$0	$0	'

Asset_Securitizations_Details

Asset Securitizations (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			American Express Charge Trust [Member]	American Express Charge Trust [Member]	American Express Lending Trust [Member]	American Express Lending Trust [Member]
Assets from Trusts [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted cash	$698	$58	$1	$2	$697	$56

Asset_Securitizations_Details_

Asset Securitizations (Details Textuals) (American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc [Member]	'
Securitized Trusts [Line Items]	'
Subordinated securities owned	$0.80

Customer_Deposits_Details

Customer Deposits (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
U.S.:	'	'
Interest-bearing	$41,853	$40,831
Non-interest-bearing	317	360
Non-U.S.:	'	'
Interest-bearing	110	121
Non-interest-bearing	391	451
Total customer deposits	42,671	41,763
Card Member Credit Balances [Member]	'	'
U.S.:	'	'
Non-interest-bearing	298	340
Non-U.S.:	'	'
Non-interest-bearing	$373	$437

Customer_Deposits_Details_1

Customer Deposits (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
U.S. retail deposits:	'	'
Savings accounts - Direct	$26,276	$24,550
Certificates of deposit - Direct	402	489
Certificates of deposit - Third party	6,325	6,929
Sweep accounts - Third party	8,850	8,863
Non-U.S. deposits and U.S. non-interest bearing deposits	147	155
Card Member credit balances - U.S. and non-U.S.	671	777
Total customer deposits	$42,671	$41,763

Customer_Deposits_Details_2

Customer Deposits (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Time Deposits By Maturity	'
2014	$2,003
2015	1,248
2016	1,673
2017	572
2018	1,042
After 5 years	193
Total	6,731
United States [Member]	'
Time Deposits By Maturity	'
2014	2,000
2015	1,247
2016	1,673
2017	572
2018	1,042
After 5 years	193
Total	6,727
Non United States [Member]	'
Time Deposits By Maturity	'
2014	3
2015	1
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
After 5 years	0
Total	$4

Customer_Deposits_Details_3

Customer Deposits (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Time Deposits 100000 Or More [Abstract]	'	'
U.S.	$269	$324
Non-U.S.	2	2
Total	$271	$326

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	$600	$701
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	247	213
Risk Exposure Low [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivative assets, net	0	0
Total derivative liabilities, net	0	0
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivative assets, net	0	0
Total derivative liabilities, net	0	0
Individually Significant Counterparties [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivative assets, net	0	0
Total derivative liabilities, net	0	0
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivative assets, net	0	0
Total derivative liabilities, net	0	0
Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Cash collateral netting	-295	-336
Derivative asset and liability netting	-54	-36
Total derivative assets, net	251	329
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivative assets, net	251	329
Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	474	637
Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	126	64
Other Assets [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	126	64
Other Assets [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	412	455
Other Assets [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	0	8
Other Assets [Member] | Net Investment Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	62	174
Other Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Cash collateral netting	-12	0
Derivative asset and liability netting	-54	-36
Total derivative liabilities, net	181	177
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, net	181	177
Other Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	193	118
Other Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	54	95
Other Liabilities [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	54	95
Other Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	11	2
Other Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	2	0
Other Liabilities [Member] | Net Investment Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	$180	$116

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi3

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 1) (Fair Value Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Other Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative contract	($51)	($104)
Hedged item	51	110
Net hedge ineffectiveness	0	6
Other Income [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative contract	13	4
Hedged item	-13	-4
Net hedge ineffectiveness	$0	$0

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi4

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 2) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Pretax gains (losses)	$134	$172
Other Expense [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Pretax gains (losses)	134	171
Other Income [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Pretax gains (losses)	$0	$1

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi5

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net reduction in interest expense on long term debt and other	$69,000,000	$112,000,000	'
Derivative asset not offset	0	'	0
Derivative liabilities not offset	0	'	0
Shares held in equity investment	107.5	'	180.7
Margin On Interest Rate Swap Not Netted	50,000,000	'	26,000,000
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Equity investment	68,000,000	'	124,000,000
Net Investment Hedging [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net hedge ineffectiveness	0	0	'
Net Investment Hedging [Member] | Other Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amount reclassified from AOCI into income	17,000,000	0	'
ICBC [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Equity investment	66,000,000	'	122,000,000
Fair Value Hedges [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notional amount of long-term debt	15,900,000,000	'	14,700,000,000
Net Investment Hedges [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effective portion of gain (loss) on hedges	-17,000,000	-56,000,000	'
Credit Valuation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notional amount of long-term debt	$0	'	$0

Fair_Values_Details

Fair Values (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investment securities:	'	'
Equity securities	$68	$124
Debt securities and other	4,693	4,892
Derivatives	600	701
Total assets	5,361	5,717
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Investment securities:	'	'
Equity securities	68	124
Debt securities and other	271	320
Derivatives	0	0
Total assets	339	444
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Investment securities:	'	'
Equity securities	0	0
Debt securities and other	4,422	4,572
Derivatives	600	701
Total assets	5,022	5,273
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Investment securities:	'	'
Equity securities	0	0
Debt securities and other	0	0
Derivatives	0	0
Total assets	$0	$0

Fair_Values_Details_1

Fair Values (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Derivatives	$247	$213
Total liabilities	247	213
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Derivatives	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Derivatives	247	213
Total liabilities	247	213
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Derivatives	0	0
Total liabilities	$0	$0

Fair_Values_Details_2

Fair Values (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$20,740,000,000	$19,486,000,000	$27,964,000,000	$22,250,000,000
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Certificates of deposit	6,731,000,000	'	'	'
Long-term debt	54,095,000,000	55,330,000,000	'	'
Fair Values (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, less reserves	44,240,000,000	43,777,000,000	'	'
Card Member loans, net	62,825,000,000	65,977,000,000	'	'
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt	15,192,000,000	18,690,000,000	'	'
Carrying Value [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	'	'	'	'
Other financial assets	49,000,000,000	48,000,000,000	'	'
Financial assets carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Loans, net	63,000,000,000	67,000,000,000	'	'
Financial Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	60,000,000,000	60,000,000,000	'	'
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Certificates of deposit	'	7,000,000,000	'	'
Long-term debt	54,000,000,000	55,000,000,000	'	'
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	21,000,000,000	19,000,000,000	'	'
Other financial assets	49,000,000,000	48,000,000,000	'	'
Financial assets carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Loans, net	64,000,000,000	67,000,000,000	'	'
Financial Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	60,000,000,000	60,000,000,000	'	'
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Certificates of deposit	7,000,000,000	8,000,000,000	'	'
Long-term debt	56,000,000,000	58,000,000,000	'	'
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt	15,300,000,000	18,800,000,000	'	'
Fair Values (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, less reserves	6,400,000,000	7,300,000,000	'	'
Card Member loans, net	28,500,000,000	31,000,000,000	'	'
Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	20,000,000,000	17,000,000,000	'	'
Other financial assets	0	0	'	'
Financial assets carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Loans, net	0	0	'	'
Financial Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	0	0	'	'
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Certificates of deposit	0	0	'	'
Long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,000,000,000	2,000,000,000	'	'
Other financial assets	49,000,000,000	48,000,000,000	'	'
Financial assets carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Loans, net	0	0	'	'
Financial Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	60,000,000,000	60,000,000,000	'	'
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Certificates of deposit	7,000,000,000	8,000,000,000	'	'
Long-term debt	56,000,000,000	58,000,000,000	'	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	'	'
Other financial assets	0	0	'	'
Financial assets carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Loans, net	64,000,000,000	67,000,000,000	'	'
Financial Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	0	0	'	'
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value	'	'	'	'
Certificates of deposit	0	0	'	'
Long-term debt	$0	$0	'	'

Fair_Values_Details_Textuals

Fair Values (Details Textuals) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value for impairment	$0	$0

Guarantees_Details

Guarantees (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Type of Guarantee	'	'
Maximum potential amount of undiscounted future payments	$43,000,000,000	$45,000,000,000
Amount of related liability	120,000,000	161,000,000
Card and Travel Operations [Member]	'	'
Type of Guarantee	'	'
Maximum potential amount of undiscounted future payments	42,000,000,000	44,000,000,000
Amount of related liability	46,000,000	88,000,000
Other Guarantees [Member]	'	'
Type of Guarantee	'	'
Maximum potential amount of undiscounted future payments	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Amount of related liability	$74,000,000	$73,000,000

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C2

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Changes in Other Comprehensive income	'	'
Balances as of start of period	($1,426)	'
Pension and other postretirement benefit losses	27	27
Balances as of end of period	-1,394	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	'	'
Changes in Other Comprehensive income	'	'
Balances as of start of period	-1,426	-927
Net unrealized gains / (losses)	68	-12
Reclassification for realized (gains) / losses into earnings	-28	-23
Net translation of investments in foreign operations	-18	11
Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations	-17	-56
Pension and other postretirement benefit losses	27	27
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	32	-53
Balances as of end of period	-1,394	-980
Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities [Member]	'	'
Changes in Other Comprehensive income	'	'
Balances as of start of period	63	315
Net unrealized gains / (losses)	68	-12
Reclassification for realized (gains) / losses into earnings	-29	-23
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	39	-35
Balances as of end of period	102	280
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Changes in Other Comprehensive income	'	'
Balances as of start of period	-1,090	-754
Reclassification for realized (gains) / losses into earnings	1	'
Net translation of investments in foreign operations	-18	11
Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations	-17	-56
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-34	-45
Balances as of end of period	-1,124	-799
Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Losses [Member]	'	'
Changes in Other Comprehensive income	'	'
Balances as of start of period	-399	-488
Pension and other postretirement benefit losses	27	27
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	27	27
Balances as of end of period	($372)	($461)

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C3

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Other non-interest revenue	$501	$537
Interest expense on long-term debt and other	345	405
Other expenses	1,549	1,611
Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Reclassification for realized (gains) / losses into earnings	-29	-23
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Reclassification for realized (gains) / losses into earnings	1	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Reclassification for realized (gains) / losses into earnings	-28	-23
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Other non-interest revenue	-45	-36
Income tax provision for other non-interest revenue	16	13
Other non-interest revenue, net of taxes	-29	-23
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Other expenses	2	0
Income tax benefit for other, net expense	-1	0
Other, net expense, net of taxes	$1	$0

Income_Taxes_Details_Textuals

Income Taxes (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Taxes (Textuals)	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits as a result of potential resolutions of prior years' tax	$675	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, amounts recorded to equity	515	'
Unrecognized tax benefits impact not possible to quantify	$160	'
Actual tax rates	35.10%	32.90%
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Earliest Year [Member]	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Open tax years by major tax jurisdiction	'2008	'
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Latest Year [Member]	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Open tax years by major tax jurisdiction	'2011	'

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_EPS_1

Earnings Per Common Share (EPS) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Basic and diluted:	'	'
Net income	$1,432	$1,280
Earnings allocated to participating share awards	-12	-11
Net income attributable to common shareholders	1,420	1,269
Denominator:	'	'
Basic	1,060	1,099
Add: Weighted-average stock options	7	7
Diluted	1,067	1,106
Earnings Per Common Share, Basic [Abstract]	'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$1.34	$1.15
Earnings Per Common Share, Diluted [Abstract]	'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$1.33	$1.15
Earnings Per Common Share (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'
Subordinated debentures	$750	$750
Stock options [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per Share, amount	0.2	0.9

NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens2

Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract]	'	'
Foreign currency conversion fee revenue	$213	$210
Delinquency fees	181	164
Loyalty Partner	91	75
Service fees	90	82
Other commissions and fees	43	42
Total other commissions and fees	$618	$573

NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens3

Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract]	'	'
Global Network Services partner revenues	$158	$144
Net gain on investment securities	39	36
Other revenues	304	357
Total other revenues	$501	$537

NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens4

Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract]	'	'
Marketing and promotion	$613	$621
Card Member rewards	1,582	1,520
Card Member services and other	222	189
Total marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other	$2,417	$2,330

NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens5

Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract]	'	'
Professional services	$692	$716
Occupancy and equipment	462	472
Communications	93	96
Other net expenses	302	327
Total other, net expense	$1,549	$1,611

Contingencies_Details_Textuals

Contingencies (Details Textuals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract]	'
Range of possible loss, minimum	$0
Range of possible loss, maximum	$440

Reportable_Operating_Segments_

Reportable Operating Segments and Geographic Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Non-interest revenues	$6,862	$6,638
Interest income	1,776	1,762
Interest expense	439	519
Total revenues, net of interest expense	8,199	7,881
Net income	1,432	1,280
U S Card Services [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Non-interest revenues	3,017	2,878
Interest income	1,423	1,386
Interest expense	150	182
Total revenues, net of interest expense	4,290	4,082
Net income	876	804
International Card Services [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Non-interest revenues	1,157	1,124
Interest income	277	290
Interest expense	82	97
Total revenues, net of interest expense	1,352	1,317
Net income	159	178
Global Commercial Services [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Non-interest revenues	1,249	1,220
Interest income	4	3
Interest expense	59	60
Total revenues, net of interest expense	1,194	1,163
Net income	184	191
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Non-interest revenues	1,293	1,234
Interest income	10	7
Interest expense	-62	-62
Total revenues, net of interest expense	1,365	1,303
Net income	443	373
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Non-interest revenues	146	182
Interest income	62	76
Interest expense	210	242
Total revenues, net of interest expense	-2	16
Net income	($230)	($266)