American Express Credit 10-Q 5 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 05, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000004969	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
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	'Non-accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	1,504,938

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Discount revenue earned from purchased Card Member receivables and loans	$136	$149	$433	$405
Interest income from affiliates	98	124	316	381
Interest income from investments	0	2	2	6
Finance revenue	12	11	34	32
Total revenues	246	286	785	824
Expenses	'	'	'	'
Provisions for losses	32	43	108	106
Interest expense	139	187	460	555
Interest expense to affiliates	2	7	6	16
Other, net	-19	-8	-72	-68
Total expenses	154	229	502	609
Pretax income	92	57	283	215
Income tax provision (benefit)	1	-14	-85	-51
Net income	91	71	368	266
Retained earnings at beginning of period	3,092	3,031	2,999	3,028
Dividends	-166	-105	-350	-297
Retained earnings at end of period	$3,017	$2,997	$3,017	$2,997

Statement_of_Comprehensive_Inc

Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$91	$71	$368	$266
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized derivative gains, net of tax:	0	0	0	1
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax:	49	164	-326	106
Other comprehensive income (loss)	49	164	-326	107
Comprehensive income	$140	$235	$42	$373

Statement_of_Comprehensive_Inc1

Statement of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Comprehensive Income Loss (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized derivative gains, tax	$0	$0	$0	$0
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	($11)	($34)	$0	($41)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$85	$275
Card Member receivables, less reserves	16,920	15,279
Card Member loans, less reserves	464	457
Loans to affiliates	9,907	13,178
Deferred charges and other assets	184	430
Due from affiliates	3,259	4,176
Total assets	30,819	33,795
Liabilities	'	'
Short-term debt	34	18
Short-term debt to affiliates	4,626	4,096
Long-term debt	21,984	23,986
Total debt	26,644	28,100
Due to affiliates	883	2,022
Accrued interest and other liabilities	432	505
Total liabilities	27,959	30,627
Shareholder's Equity	'	'
Common stock, $0.10 par value, authorized 3 million shares; issued and outstanding 1.5 million shares	0	0
Additional paid-in-capital	161	161
Retained earnings	3,017	2,999
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-318	8
Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-318	8
Total shareholder's equity	2,860	3,168
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	$30,819	$33,795

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Card Member receivables, reserves	$85	$83
Card Member loans, reserves	5	5
Shareholder's Equity	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, authorized	3	3
Common stock, issued	1.5	1.5
Common stock, outstanding	1.5	1.5
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	($43)	($43)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	'	'
Net income	$368	$266
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:	'	'
Provisions for losses	108	106
Amortization and other	16	19
Deferred taxes	-6	7
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Interest, taxes and other amounts due from affiliates, net	-157	-11
Other operating assets and liabilities	-432	86
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-103	473
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	'	'
Net increase in Card Member receivables and loans	-1,728	-4,647
Net decrease (increase) in loans to affiliates	2,804	-1,006
Net (increase) decrease in due from affiliates	-69	2,689
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,007	-2,964
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	'	'
Net increase in short-term debt to affiliates	529	26
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt	13	-243
Issuance of long-term debt	3,549	4,244
Principal payments on long-term debt	-4,829	-1,560
Dividends paid	-350	-297
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-1,088	2,170
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-6	19
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-190	-302
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	275	480
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$85	$178

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1. Basis of Presentation
	American Express Credit Corporation (Credco), together with its subsidiaries, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company (American Express). American Express charge cards and American Express credit cards are collectively referred to herein as the card.
	Credco is engaged in the business of financing non-interest-earning Card Member receivables arising from the use of the American Express® Card, the American Express® Gold Card, Platinum Card®, Corporate Card and other American Express cards issued in the United States and in certain countries outside the United States. Credco also finances certain interest-earning and discounted revolving loans generated by Card Member spending on American Express credit cards issued in non-U.S. markets, although interest bearing and revolving loans are primarily funded by subsidiaries of TRS other than Credco.
	Credco executes material transactions with its affiliates. The agreements between Credco and its affiliates provide that the parties intend that the transactions thereunder be conducted on an arm's length basis; however, there can be no assurance that the terms of these arrangements are the same as would be negotiated between independent, unrelated parties.
	American Express provides Credco with financial support with respect to maintenance of its minimum overall 1.25 fixed charge coverage ratio, which is achieved by charging appropriate discount rates on the purchases of receivables Credco makes from, and the interest rates on the loans Credco provides to, TRS and other American Express subsidiaries. Each monthly period, the discount and interest rates are determined to generate income for Credco that is sufficient to maintain its minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements incorporated by reference in the Credco Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expense. 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 Credco's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Fair_Values

Fair Values	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Values	'
	2. Fair Values
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, based on Credco's principal or, in the absence of a principal, most advantageous market for the specific asset or liability.
	GAAP provides for a three-level hierarchy of inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, defined as follows:
	Level 1 ― Inputs that are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity can access.
	Level 2 ― Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, including:
	- Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
	- Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active;
	- Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and
	- Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
	Level 3 ― Inputs that are unobservable and reflect Credco's own estimates about the estimates market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances (e.g., internally derived assumptions surrounding the timing and amount of expected cash flows). Credco did not measure any financial instruments presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or during the year ended December 31, 2012, although the disclosed fair value of certain assets that are not carried at fair value, as presented later in this Note, are classified within Level 3.
	Credco monitors the market conditions and evaluates the fair value hierarchy levels at least quarterly. For any transfers in and out of the levels of the fair value hierarchy, Credco discloses the fair value measurement at the beginning of the reporting period during which the transfer occurred.
	Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value
	The following table summarizes Credco's financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP's valuation hierarchy as Level 2 (as described in the preceding paragraphs), as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
	(Millions)					2013			2012
	Assets:
	Derivatives(a)				$	262		$	432
	Total assets				$	262		$	432
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives(a)				$	67		$	79
	Total liabilities				$	67		$	79
	Refer to Note 5 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis.
	Valuation Techniques Used in the Fair Value Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value
	For the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (categorized in the valuation hierarchy table above), Credco applies the following valuation techniques:
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The fair value of Credco's derivative financial instruments is estimated by third-party valuation services that use proprietary pricing models or by internal pricing models, where the inputs to those models are readily observable from actively quoted markets. The pricing models used are consistently applied and reflect the contractual terms of the derivatives as described below. Credco reaffirms its understanding of the valuation techniques used by the third-party valuation services at least annually. Credco's derivative instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	The fair value of Credco's interest rate swaps is determined based on a discounted cash flow method using the following significant inputs: the contractual terms of the swap such as the notional amount, fixed coupon rate, floating coupon rate (based on interbank rates consistent with the frequency and currency of the interest cash flows) and tenor, as well as discount rates consistent with the underlying economic factors of the currency in which the cash flows are denominated.
	The fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts is determined based on a discounted cash flow method using the following significant inputs: the contractual terms of the forward contracts such as the notional amount, maturity dates and contract rate, as well as relevant foreign currency forward curves, and discount rates consistent with the underlying economic factors of the currency in which the cash flows are denominated.
	Credit valuation adjustments are necessary when the market parameters, such as a benchmark curve used to value derivatives, are not indicative of the credit quality of Credco or its counterparties. Credco considers the counterparty credit risk by applying an observable forecasted default rate to the current exposure. Refer to Note 5 for additional fair value information.
	Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value
	The following table discloses the estimated fair value for Credco's financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
						Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2013 (Billions)					Value			Total		Level 2		Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate
			fair value			$	20.3		$	20.3	$	20.3	$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Card Member loans		$	0.5		$	0.5	$	―	$	0.5
				Loans to affiliates		$	9.9		$	10	$	6.7	$	3.3
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or
			approximate fair value			$	5.9		$	5.9	$	5.9	$	―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
				Long-term debt		$	22		$	22.3	$	22.3	$	―
						Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2012 (Billions)					Value			Total		Level 2		Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate
			fair value			$	19.8		$	19.8	$	19.8	$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Card Member loans		$	0.5		$	0.5	$	―	$	0.5
				Loans to affiliates		$	13.2		$	13.2	$	9.5	$	3.7
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or
			approximate fair value			$	6.5		$	6.5	$	6.5	$	―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
				Long-term debt		$	24		$	24.5	$	24.5	$	―
	The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates based upon the market conditions and perceived risks as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and require management judgment. These figures may not be indicative of future fair values. The fair value of Credco cannot be reliably estimated by aggregating the amounts presented.
	Valuation Techniques Used in the Fair Value Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value
	For the financial assets and liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis (categorized in the valuation hierarchy table above), Credco applies the following valuation techniques to measure fair value:
	Financial Assets for Which Carrying Values Equal or Approximate Fair Value
	Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value include cash and cash equivalents, Card Member receivables, due from affiliates, accrued interest and certain other assets. For these assets, the carrying values approximate fair value because they are short term in duration, have no defined maturity or have a market-based interest rate.
	Financial Assets Carried at Other Than Fair Value
	Card Member loans
Card Member loans are recorded at historical cost, less reserves, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In estimating the fair value for Credco's Card Member loans, Credco uses a discounted cash flow model. Due to the lack of a comparable whole loan sales market for similar credit card receivables and the lack of observable pricing inputs thereof, Credco uses various inputs derived from an equivalent securitization market to estimate fair value. Such inputs include projected income (inclusive of future interest payments), estimated pay-down rates, discount rates and relevant credit costs.
Loans to affiliates
Loans to affiliates are recorded at historical cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In estimating the fair value for Credco's loans to affiliates, Credco uses discounted cash flow models. For loans to affiliates collateralized by Card Member loans, Credco derives the value of the loans based on the fair value of the underlying collateral used to finance the loans using a discounted cash flow model with inputs as detailed above (Card Member loans), and as such is classified as Level 3. For the remaining loans to affiliates, the models use market observable interest rates and adjust those rates for necessary risks.
Financial Liabilities for Which Carrying Values Equal or Approximate Fair Value
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value include short-term debt, short-term debt to affiliates, accrued interest and certain other liabilities for which the carrying values approximate fair value because they are short term in duration, have no defined maturity or have a market-based interest rate.
Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value
Long-term debt
Long-term debt is recorded at historical issuance cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets adjusted for the impact of fair value hedge accounting on certain fixed-rate notes and current translation rates for foreign-denominated debt. The fair value of Credco's long-term debt is measured using quoted offer prices when quoted market prices are available. If quoted market prices are not available, the fair value is determined by discounting the future cash flows of each instrument at rates currently observed in publicly-traded debt markets for debt of similar terms and credit risk. For long-term debt, where there are no rates currently observable in publicly-traded debt markets of similar terms and comparable credit risk, Credco uses market interest rates and adjusts those rates for necessary risks, including its own credit risk. In determining an appropriate spread to reflect its credit standing, Credco considers credit default swap spreads, bond yields of other long-term debt offered by Credco, and interest rates currently offered to Credco for similar debt instruments of comparable maturities.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
Credco did not have any assets that were measured at fair value for impairment on a nonrecurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or during the year ended December 31, 2012.

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo

Card Member Receivables and Loans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Card Member Receivables and Loans [Abstract]	'
Card Member Receivables and Loans	'
	3. Card Member Receivables and Loans
	As described below, American Express' charge and lending payment card products result in the generation of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans, respectively.
	Card Member Receivables
	Card Member receivables represent amounts due from customers of American Express and certain American Express joint venture charge card products. For American Express, the Card Member receivables are recorded at the time a Card Member enters into a point-of-sale transaction with a merchant. Each charge card transaction is authorized based on its likely economics reflecting a Card Member's most recent credit information and spend patterns. Additionally, global spend limits are established to limit the maximum exposure for American Express.
	Charge card customers generally must pay the full amount billed each month.
	Credco records these Card Member receivables at the time they are purchased from TRS and certain of its subsidiaries and American Express joint ventures that issue the card (card issuers). The total volume of Card Member receivables purchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $161 billion and $149 billion, respectively. Card Member receivable balances are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of reserves for losses (refer to Note 4). Card Member receivables also include participation interests purchased from an affiliate. Participation interests in Card Member receivables represent undivided interests in the cash flows of the non-interest-earning Card Member receivables. In conjunction with TRS' securitization program, Credco, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Credco Receivables Corporation (CRC), purchases participation interests from American Express Receivables Financing Corporation VIII LLC (RFC VIII), a wholly owned subsidiary of TRS that receives undivided, pro rata interests in Card Member receivables transferred to the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust II) During the third quarter of 2013, TRS transferred Card Member receivables from the American Express Issuance Trust (the Charge Trust) to the Charge Trust II, collectively referred to as the Charge Trusts. As of September 30, 2013, the Charge Trust was dissolved, and TRS will utilize the Charge Trust II for securitization of Card Member receivables.2 RFC V is a wholly owned subsidiary of TRS that received undivided, pro rata interests in Card Member receivables transferred to the Charge Trust prior to its dissolution. As a result of dissolution of the Charge Trust, CRC's Card Member receivables balance as of September 30, 2013 represents purchases of the participation interests from RFC VIII only., by TRS. The Charge Trust II is a special purpose entity that is consolidated by TRS. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, CRC owned approximately nil and $1.7 billion, respectively, of participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased without recourse from American Express Receivables Financing Corporation V LLC (RFC V)2. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, CRC owned approximately $5 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively, of participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased without recourse from RFC VIII.
	Card Member receivables as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of:
	(Millions)			2013			2012
	U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services		$	4,987		$	4,464
	International and Global Commercial Services(a)			12,018			10,898
	Card Member receivables			17,005			15,362
	Less: Reserve for losses			85			83
		Card Member receivables, net(b)	$	16,920		$	15,279
	International is comprised of consumer and small business services.
	Card Member receivables modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) program were immaterial.
	Card Member Loans
	Card Member loans represent amounts due from customers of American Express and certain American Express joint venture lending card products. For American Express, these Card Member loans are recorded at the time a Card Member enters into a point-of-sale transaction with a merchant, as well as amounts due from charge card product customers when a Card Member enters into an extended payment arrangement with American Express. American Express' lending portfolios primarily include revolving loans to Card Members obtained through either their credit card accounts or the lending on charge feature of their charge card accounts. These loans have a range of terms such as credit limits, interest rates, fees and payment structures, which can be revised over time based on new information about Card Members and in accordance with applicable regulations and the respective product's terms and conditions. Card Members holding revolving loans are typically required to make monthly payments based on pre-established amounts. The amounts that Card Members choose to revolve are subject to finance charges.
	Credco records these Card Member loans at the time they are purchased from TRS subsidiaries and certain American Express joint ventures. The total volume of Card Member loans purchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $2.9 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively. Card Member loans are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of reserves for losses (refer to Note 4), and include principal, accrued interest and fees receivable. Credco's policy generally is to cease accruing interest on a Card Member loan at the time the account is written off, and establish reserves for interest that Credco believes will not be collected.
	Card Member loans as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of:
	(Millions)			2013			2012
	International Card Services		$	469		$	462
	Less: Reserve for losses			5			5
		Card Member loans, net(a)	$	464		$	457
	Card Member loans modified in a TDR program were immaterial.
	Card Member Receivables and Loans 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 receivables and loans as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
							30-59			60-89
							Days			Days			90+ Days
	2013 (Millions)			Current			Past Due			Past Due			Past Due			Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services	$	4,932		$	27		$	9		$	19		$	4,987
		International and Global Commercial Services(a)		(b)			(b)			(b)		$	100		$	12,018
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services(c)	$	461		$	3		$	2		$	3		$	469
							30-59			60-89
							Days			Days			90+ Days
	2012 (Millions)			Current			Past Due			Past Due			Past Due			Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services	$	4,420		$	15		$	9		$	20		$	4,464
		International and Global Commercial Services(a)		(b)			(b)			(b)		$	90		$	10,898
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services(c)	$	454		$	3		$	2		$	3		$	462
	For Card Member receivables in International and Global Commercial Services, 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 Credco initiates collection procedures on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member receivable balance is considered 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes.
	Data for periods prior to 90 days past billing are not available due to financial reporting system constraints. Therefore, it has not been relied upon 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.
	Card Member loans over 90 days past due continue to accrue interest.
	Credit Quality Indicators for Card Member Receivables and Loans
	The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the nine months ended September 30:
				2013						2012
							30 Days						30 Days
				Net			Past Due			Net			Past Due
				Write-off			as a % of			Write-off			as a % of
				Rate	(a)		Total			Rate	(a)		Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services		1.08	%		1.1	%		1.34	%		1.24	%
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services		0.86	%		1.71	%		0.63	%		1.65	%
				2013						2012
				Net Loss			90 Days			Net Loss			90 Days
				Ratio as a			Past			Ratio as a			Past
				% of			Billing			% of			Billing
				Charge			as a % of			Charge			as a % of
				Volume	(b)		Receivables			Volume	(b)		Receivables
	Card Member Receivables:
	International and Global Commercial Services		0.06	%		0.83	%		0.07	%		0.71	%
Credco's write-offs, net of recoveries, represent the amount of Card Member receivables or Card Member loans owned by Credco that are written off, expressed as a percentage of the average Card Member receivables or Card Member loans balances during the period.
Credco's write-offs, net of recoveries, represent the amount of Card Member receivables owned by Credco that are written off, expressed as a percentage of the volume of Card Member receivables purchased by Credco during the period.
Refer to Note 4 for additional indicators, including external environmental qualitative factors, management considers in its monthly evaluation process for reserves for losses.

Reserves_for_Losses

Reserves for Losses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Reserves for Losses [Abstract]	'
Reserves for Losses	'
	4. Reserves for Losses
	Reserves for losses relating to Card Member receivables and loans represent management's best estimate of the probable inherent losses in Credco's outstanding portfolio of loans and receivables, as of the balance sheet date. Management's evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments.
	Reserves for losses are primarily based upon statistical models that analyze portfolio performance and reflect management's judgment regarding the quantitative components of the reserve. The models take into account several factors, including loss migration rates and average losses and recoveries over an appropriate historical period. Management considers whether to adjust the models for specific qualitative factors such as increased risk in certain portfolios, impact of risk management initiatives on portfolio performance and concentration of credit risk based on factors such as vintage, industry or geographic regions. In addition, management may increase or decrease the reserves for losses on Card Member loans for other external environmental qualitative factors, including various indicators related to employment, spend, sentiment, housing and credit, as well as the legal and regulatory environment. Generally, due to the short-term nature of Card Member receivables, the impact of additional external qualitative factors on the probable losses inherent within the Card Member receivables portfolio is not significant. As part of this evaluation process, management also considers various reserve coverage metrics, such as reserves as a percentage of past-due amounts, reserves as a percentage of Card Member receivables or loans and net write-off coverage.
	Card Member loans and receivables balances are written-off when management considers amounts to be uncollectible, which is generally determined by the number of days past due and is typically no later than 180 days past due. Card Member loans and receivables in bankruptcy or owed by deceased individuals are generally written off upon notification and recoveries are recognized as they are collected.
	Changes in Card Member Receivables Reserve for Losses
	The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the nine months ended September 30:
	(Millions)		2013		2012
	Balance, January 1		$	83	$	71
	Additions:
		Provisions(a)		105		105
		Other credits(b)		41		37
	Deductions:
		Net write-offs(c)		-116		-114
		Other debits(d)		-28		―
	Balance, September 30		$	85	$	99
	Provisions resulting from authorized transactions.
	Primarily reserve balances applicable to participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased from an affiliate. Credco purchases Card Member receivables at fair value but due to system constraints, records the gross receivable amount and the corresponding reserve balance, which are included in its fair value estimate. Specifically, Credco's systems do not have the ability to track multiple accounting bases for Card Member receivables. Participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased from an affiliate totaled $7.7 billion and $4.9 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Net write-offs include recoveries of $87 million and $81 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Primarily reserves for losses attributable to participation interests in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate. Participation interests in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate totaled $5.7 billion and nil for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Changes in Card Member Loans Reserve for Losses
	The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the nine months ended September 30:
	(Millions)		2013		2012
	Balance, January 1		$	5	$	5
	Additions:
		Provisions(a)		3		1
	Deductions:
		Net write-offs(b)		-3		-2
	Balance, September 30		$	5	$	4
	Provisions resulting from authorized transactions.
	Net write-offs include recoveries of $4 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'
	5. Derivatives and Hedging Activities
	Credco 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 and foreign exchange rate. These instruments enable end users to increase, reduce or alter exposure to various market risks and, for that reason, are an integral component of Credco's market risk management. Credco does not engage in derivatives for trading purposes.
	Market risk is the risk to earnings or value resulting from movements in market prices. Credco's market risk exposure is primarily generated by:
	Interest rate risk in its funding activities; and
	Foreign exchange risk in its operations outside the United States and the associated funding of such operations.
	American Express centrally monitors market risks using market risk limits and escalation triggers as defined in its Asset/Liability Management Policy.
	Interest rate exposure within Credco's charge card and fixed-rate lending products is managed by varying the proportion of total funding provided by short-term and variable-rate debt compared to fixed-rate debt. In addition, interest rate swaps are used from time to time to economically convert fixed-rate debt obligations to variable-rate obligations or to convert variable-rate debt obligations to fixed-rate obligations. Credco may change the mix between variable-rate and fixed-rate funding based on changes in business volumes and mix, among other factors.
	Foreign exchange risk is generated by (i) funding foreign currency Card Member receivables and loans with U.S. dollars and (ii) foreign subsidiary equity and foreign currency earnings in entities outside the United States. Credco hedges market exposure to the extent it is economically justified through various means, including the use of derivatives such as foreign exchange forwards and cross-currency swap contracts, which can help mitigate Credco's exposure to specific currencies. Exposures from foreign subsidiary equity in Credco's entities outside the United States are hedged through various means, including the use of foreign currency debt and foreign exchange forwards executed either by Credco or TRS.
	Derivatives may give rise to counterparty credit risk, which is the risk that a derivative counterparty will default on, or otherwise be unable to perform pursuant to, an uncollateralized derivative exposure. Credco manages this risk by considering the current exposure, which is the replacement cost of contracts on the measurement date, as well as estimating the maximum potential value of the contracts over the next 12 months, considering such factors as the volatility of the underlying or reference index. To mitigate derivative credit risk, counterparties are required to be pre-approved by American Express and rated as investment grade. Counterparty risk exposures are centrally monitored by American Express. Additionally, in order to mitigate the bilateral counterparty credit risk associated with derivatives, Credco has in certain instances entered into master netting agreements with its derivative counterparties, which provide a right of offset for certain exposures between the parties. A significant portion of Credco's derivative assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is subject to such master netting agreements with its derivative counterparties. There are no instances where management makes an accounting policy election to not net assets and liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting agreement on Credco's Consolidated Balance Sheets. To further mitigate bilateral counterparty credit risk, Credco exercises its rights under executed credit support agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties. These agreements require that, in the event the fair value change in the net derivatives position between the two parties exceeds certain dollar thresholds, the party in the net liability position posts collateral to its counterparty. All derivative contracts cleared through a central clearinghouse are collateralized to the full amount of the fair value of the contracts.
	In relation to Credco's credit risk, under the terms of the derivative agreements it has with its various counterparties, Credco 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 Credco's derivative counterparties as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Credco does not have derivative positions that warrant credit valuation adjustments.
	Credco's derivatives are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accounting for changes in fair value depends on the instruments' intended use and the resulting hedge designation, if any, as discussed below. Refer to Note 2 for a description of Credco'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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
				Deferred Charges and Other Assets				Accrued Interest and Other Liabilities
				Fair Value				Fair Value
	(Millions)			2013		2012		2013			2012
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
		Interest rate contracts
			Fair value hedges	$	216	$	406	$	―		$	―
			Cash flow hedges		―		―		―			―
		Foreign exchange contracts
			Net investment hedges		11		6		6			6
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			$	227	$	412	$	6		$	6
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
		Foreign exchange contracts		$	35	$	20	$	61		$	73
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			$	35	$	20	$	61		$	73
	Total derivatives, gross			$	262	$	432	$	67		$	79
	Cash collateral netting(a)				-203		-160		―			―
	Derivative asset and derivative liability netting(b)				-11		-7		-11			-7
	Total derivatives, net(c)			$	48	$	265	$	56		$	72
	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, Credco received noncash collateral in the form of security interest in U.S. Treasury securities with a fair value of nil and $242 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, none of which was sold or repledged. Such noncash collateral effectively further reduces Credco's risk exposure to $48 million and $23 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, but does not reduce the net exposure on Credco's Consolidated Balance Sheet. Additionally, Credco posted $33 million and nil as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps, 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.
	Credco has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities are presented within Deferred Charges and Other Assets and Accrued Interest and Other Liabilities on Credco's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Derivative Financial Instruments that Qualify for Hedge Accounting
	Derivatives executed for hedge accounting purposes are documented and designated as such when Credco enters into the contracts. In accordance with its risk management policies, Credco structures its hedges with terms similar to that of the item being hedged. Credco formally assesses, at inception of the hedge accounting relationship and on a quarterly basis, whether derivatives designated as hedges are highly effective in offsetting the fair value or cash flows of the hedged items. These assessments usually are made through the application of a regression analysis method. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, Credco will discontinue the application of hedge accounting.
	Fair Value Hedges
	A fair value hedge involves a derivative designated to hedge Credco's exposure to future changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability, or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk. Credco is exposed to interest rate risk associated with its fixed-rate long-term debt. Credco 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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Credco hedged $12.4 billion and $14.4 billion, respectively, of its fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt using interest rate swaps.
	To the extent the fair value hedge is effective, the gain or loss on the hedging instrument offsets the loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. Any difference between the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness and is reflected in earnings as a component of other expenses. Hedge ineffectiveness may be caused by differences between the debt's interest coupon and the benchmark rate, primarily due to credit spreads at inception of the hedging relationship that are not reflected in the valuation of the interest rate swap. Furthermore, hedge ineffectiveness may be caused by changes in the relationship between 3-month LIBOR and 1-month LIBOR, as well as between the overnight indexed swap (OIS) and 1-month LIBOR, as basis spreads may impact the valuation of the interest rate swap without causing an offsetting impact in the value of the hedged debt. If a fair value hedge is de-designated or no longer considered to be effective, changes in fair value of the derivative continue to be recorded through earnings but the hedged asset or liability is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value resulting from changes in interest rates. The existing basis adjustment of the hedged asset or liability is amortized or accreted as an adjustment to yield over the remaining life of that asset or liability.
	The following table summarizes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings associated with Credco's hedges of its fixed-rate long-term debt for the three and nine months ended September 30:
	For the Three Months Ended September 30: (Millions)
			Gains (losses) recognized in income
			Derivative contract					Hedged item							Net hedge
				Amount						Amount					ineffectiveness
	Derivative Relationship		Income Statement Line Item	2013		2012		Income Statement Line Item		2013			2012		2013		2012
	Interest rate contracts		Other, net expenses	$	-8	$	-7	Other, net expenses		$	4		$	-15	$	-4	$	-22
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30: (Millions)
			Gains (losses) recognized in income
			Derivative contract					Hedged item							Net hedge
				Amount						Amount					ineffectiveness
	Derivative Relationship		Income Statement Line Item	2013		2012		Income Statement Line Item		2013			2012		2013		2012
	Interest rate contracts		Other, net expenses	$	-187	$	-11	Other, net expenses		$	185		$	-18	$	-2	$	-29
	Credco also recognized a net reduction in interest expense of $53 million and $73 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, primarily related to the net settlements (interest accruals) on Credco's interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the impact on interest expense was a net reduction of $193 million and $214 million, respectively.
	Cash Flow Hedges
	A cash flow hedge involves a derivative designated to hedge Credco's exposure to variable future cash flows attributable to a particular risk. Such exposures may relate to either an existing recognized asset or liability, or a forecasted transaction. Credco hedges existing long-term variable-rate debt, the rollover of short-term borrowings and the anticipated forecasted issuance of additional funding through the use of derivatives, primarily interest rate swaps. These derivative instruments economically convert floating-rate debt obligations to fixed-rate obligations for the duration of the instrument. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Credco did not hedge any of its floating-rate debt using interest rate swaps.
	For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivatives is recorded in AOCI and reclassified into earnings when the hedged cash flows are recognized in earnings. The amount that is reclassified into earnings is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the same line item in which the hedged instrument or transaction is recognized, primarily in interest expense. Any ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivatives is reported as a component of other expenses. If a cash flow hedge is de-designated or terminated prior to maturity, the amount previously recorded in AOCI is recognized into earnings over the period that the hedged item impacts earnings. If a hedge relationship is discontinued because it is probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur according to the original strategy, any related amounts previously recorded in AOCI are recognized into earnings immediately. No ineffectiveness or other amounts were reclassified from AOCI into income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and three months ended September 30, 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an amount of $(1) million loss was reclassified from AOCI into income.
	In the normal course of business, as the hedged cash flows are recognized into earnings, Credco does not expect to reclassify any amount of net pretax losses on derivatives from AOCI into earnings during the next 12 months.
	Net Investment Hedges
	A net investment hedge is used to hedge future changes in currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Credco primarily designates foreign currency derivatives, typically foreign exchange forwards, and on occasion foreign currency denominated debt, as hedges of net investments in certain foreign operations. These instruments reduce exposure to changes in currency exchange rates on Credco's investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries. The effective portion of the gain (loss) on net investment hedges, net of taxes, recorded in AOCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment, was $(19) million and $(58) million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the effective portion of the gain (loss) on net investment hedges, net of taxes, was nil and $(70) million, 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 or other amounts were reclassified from AOCI into income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
	Credco has derivatives that act as economic hedges, but are not designated as such for hedge accounting purposes. Foreign currency transactions and non-U.S. dollar cash flow exposures from time to time may be partially or fully economically hedged through foreign currency contracts, primarily foreign exchange forwards. These hedges generally mature within one year. Foreign currency contracts involve the purchase and sale of a designated currency at an agreed upon rate for settlement on a specified date. The changes in the fair value of the derivatives effectively offset the related foreign exchange gains or losses on the underlying balance sheet exposures. From time to time, Credco may enter into interest rate swaps to specifically manage funding costs related to American Express' proprietary card business.
	For derivatives that are not designated as hedges, changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings.
	The following table summarizes the impact on pretax earnings of derivatives not designated as hedges, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30:
	For the Three Months Ended September 30: (Millions)
			Pretax gains (losses)
			Amount
Description		Income Statement Line Item	2013		2012
Foreign exchange contracts		Other, net expenses	$	21	$	10
Total			$	21	$	10
For the Nine Months Ended September 30: (Millions)
		Pretax gains (losses)
			Amount
Description		Income Statement Line Item	2013		2012
Foreign exchange contracts		Other, net expenses	$	71	$	10
Total			$	71	$	10

Variable_Interest_Entity

Variable Interest Entity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Variable Interest Entity [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entity	'
	6. Variable Interest Entity
	Credco has established a variable interest entity (VIE), American Express Canada Credit Corporation (AECCC), used primarily to loan funds to affiliates. AECCC has a shelf registration in Canada for a medium-term note program providing for the issuance of notes by AECCC. All notes issued under this program are fully guaranteed by Credco. These medium-term note issuances are the primary source of financing loans to the Canadian affiliate. Credco is considered the primary beneficiary of the entity and owns all of the outstanding voting interests and therefore, consolidates the entity in accordance with accounting guidance governing consolidation of VIEs. Total assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, were $2.3 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, the majority of which were eliminated in consolidation. Total liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, were $2.3 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, and were primarily recorded in long-term debt. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, nil and $76 million, respectively, of liabilities were eliminated in consolidation. The assets of the VIE are not used solely to settle the obligations of the VIE. The note holders of the VIE have recourse to Credco.

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	'
	7. Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
	AOCI is a balance sheet item in the Shareholder's Equity section of Credco'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 and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
			Net Unrealized		Foreign		Accumulated
			Gains (Losses)		Currency		Other
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 (Millions), net		on Cash		Translation		Comprehensive
	of tax		Flow Hedges		Adjustments		(Loss) Income
	Balances as of June 30, 2013	$	―	$	-367	$	-367
	Net unrealized losses		―		―		―
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings		―		―		―
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		―		68		68
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		―		-19		-19
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income		―		49		49
	Balances as of September 30, 2013	$	―	$	-318	$	-318
			Net Unrealized		Foreign		Accumulated
			Gains (Losses)		Currency		Other
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 (Millions), net		on Cash		Translation		Comprehensive
	of tax		Flow Hedges		Adjustments		(Loss) Income
	Balances as of December 31, 2012	$	―	$	8	$	8
	Net unrealized losses		―		―		―
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings		―		―		―
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		―		-326		-326
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		―		―		―
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss)		―		-326		-326
	Balances as of September 30, 2013	$	―	$	-318	$	-318
			Net Unrealized		Foreign		Accumulated
			Gains (Losses)		Currency		Other
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 (Millions), net		on Cash		Translation		Comprehensive
	of tax		Flow Hedges		Adjustments		(Loss) Income
	Balances as of June 30, 2012	$	―	$	-116	$	-116
	Net unrealized losses		―		―		―
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings		―		―		―
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		―		222		222
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		―		-58		-58
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income		―		164		164
	Balances as of September 30, 2012	$	―	$	48	$	48
			Net Unrealized		Foreign		Accumulated
			Gains (Losses)		Currency		Other
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 (Millions), net		on Cash		Translation		Comprehensive
	of tax		Flow Hedges		Adjustments		(Loss) Income
	Balances as of December 31, 2011	$	-1	$	-58	$	-59
	Net unrealized losses		―		―		―
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings		1		―		1
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		―		176		176
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		―		-70		-70
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income		1		106		107
	Balances as of September 30, 2012	$	―	$	48	$	48
	No amounts were reclassified out of AOCI into the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	8. Income Taxes
	The results of operations of Credco are included in the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return of American Express. Under an agreement with American Express, provision for income taxes is recognized on a separate company basis. If benefits for net operating losses, future tax deductions and foreign tax credits cannot be recognized on a separate company basis, such benefits are then recognized based upon a share, derived by formula, of those deductions and credits that are recognizable on an American Express consolidated reporting basis.
	American Express is under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax authorities in other countries and states in which American Express has significant business operations. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction. The IRS has completed its field examination of American Express' federal tax returns for years through 2007; however, refund claims for certain years continue to be reviewed by the IRS. In addition, American Express is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2008 through 2011.
	Credco believes it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next 12 months by as much as $517 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 $517 million of unrecognized tax benefits, approximately $504 million relates to amounts that if recognized would be recorded to shareholder's equity and would not impact the effective tax rate. With respect to the remaining $13 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 a material 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 rates were 1.1 percent and (30.0) percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and (24.4) percent and (23.7) percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The tax rate in each of the periods reflects the geographic mix of expenses in the United States attracting a 35 percent statutory benefit and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates, which are indefinitely reinvested. The tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflect the impact of certain prior years' tax items.
	The tax rates in all periods reflect the favorable impact of the tax benefit related to Credco's ongoing funding activities outside the United States. Credco's provision for income taxes for interim financial periods is not based on an estimated annual effective rate due to volatility in certain components of revenues and expenses which prevent Credco from projecting a reliable estimate of full year pretax income. A discrete calculation of the provision for income taxes is calculated for each interim period.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Values [Abstract]	'
Fair Values	'
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, based on Credco's principal or, in the absence of a principal, most advantageous market for the specific asset or liability.
	GAAP provides for a three-level hierarchy of inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, defined as follows:
	Level 1 ― Inputs that are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity can access.
	Level 2 ― Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, including:
	- Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
	- Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active;
	- Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and
	- Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
	Level 3 ― Inputs that are unobservable and reflect Credco's own estimates about the estimates market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances (e.g., internally derived assumptions surrounding the timing and amount of expected cash flows).
Accounts Receivable And Loans and Reserves For Cardmember Losses [Abstract]	'
Card Member Receivables And Loans	'
	Card Member Receivables
	Card Member receivables represent amounts due from customers of American Express and certain American Express joint venture charge card products. For American Express, the Card Member receivables are recorded at the time a Card Member enters into a point-of-sale transaction with a merchant. Each charge card transaction is authorized based on its likely economics reflecting a Card Member's most recent credit information and spend patterns. Additionally, global spend limits are established to limit the maximum exposure for American Express.
	Charge card customers generally must pay the full amount billed each month.
	Card Member receivable balances are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of reserves for losses (refer to Note 4). Card Member receivables also include participation interests purchased from an affiliate. Participation interests in Card Member receivables represent undivided interests in the cash flows of the non-interest-earning Card Member receivables.
	Card Member Loans
	Card Member loans represent amounts due from customers of American Express and certain American Express joint venture lending card products. For American Express, these Card Member loans are recorded at the time a Card Member enters into a point-of-sale transaction with a merchant, as well as amounts due from charge card product customers when a Card Member enters into an extended payment arrangement with American Express. American Express' lending portfolios primarily include revolving loans to Card Members obtained through either their credit card accounts or the lending on charge feature of their charge card accounts. These loans have a range of terms such as credit limits, interest rates, fees and payment structures, which can be revised over time based on new information about Card Members and in accordance with applicable regulations and the respective product's terms and conditions. Card Members holding revolving loans are typically required to make monthly payments based on pre-established amounts. The amounts that Card Members choose to revolve are subject to finance charges.
	Card Member loans are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of reserves for losses (refer to Note 4), and include principal, accrued interest and fees receivable. Credco's policy generally is to cease accruing interest on a Card Member loan at the time the account is written off, and establish reserves for interest that Credco believes will not be collected.
Reserves For Losses Policy [Abstract]	'
Reserves for Losses	'
	Reserves for losses are primarily based upon statistical models that analyze portfolio performance and reflect management's judgment regarding the quantitative components of the reserve. The models take into account several factors, including loss migration rates and average losses and recoveries over an appropriate historical period. Management considers whether to adjust the models for specific qualitative factors such as increased risk in certain portfolios, impact of risk management initiatives on portfolio performance and concentration of credit risk based on factors such as vintage, industry or geographic regions. In addition, management may increase or decrease the reserves for losses on Card Member loans for other external environmental qualitative factors, including various indicators related to employment, spend, sentiment, housing and credit, as well as the legal and regulatory environment. Generally, due to the short-term nature of Card Member receivables, the impact of additional external qualitative factors on the probable losses inherent within the Card Member receivables portfolio is not significant. As part of this evaluation process, management also considers various reserve coverage metrics, such as reserves as a percentage of past-due amounts, reserves as a percentage of Card Member receivables or loans and net write-off coverage.
	Card Member loans and receivables balances are written-off when management considers amounts to be uncollectible, which is generally determined by the number of days past due and is typically no later than 180 days past due. Card Member loans and receivables in bankruptcy or owed by deceased individuals are generally written off upon notification and recoveries are recognized as they are collected.
Derivatives And Hedging Activities Policy [Abstract]	'
Derivatives	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments that Qualify for Hedge Accounting
	Derivatives executed for hedge accounting purposes are documented and designated as such when Credco enters into the contracts. In accordance with its risk management policies, Credco structures its hedges with terms similar to that of the item being hedged. Credco formally assesses, at inception of the hedge accounting relationship and on a quarterly basis, whether derivatives designated as hedges are highly effective in offsetting the fair value or cash flows of the hedged items. These assessments usually are made through the application of a regression analysis method. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, Credco will discontinue the application of hedge accounting.
	Fair Value Hedges
	A fair value hedge involves a derivative designated to hedge Credco's exposure to future changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability, or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk.
	Credco is exposed to interest rate risk associated with its fixed-rate long-term debt. Credco 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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Credco hedged $12.4 billion and $14.4 billion, respectively, of its fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt using interest rate swaps.
	To the extent the fair value hedge is effective, the gain or loss on the hedging instrument offsets the loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. Any difference between the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness and is reflected in earnings as a component of other expenses. Hedge ineffectiveness may be caused by differences between the debt's interest coupon and the benchmark rate, primarily due to credit spreads at inception of the hedging relationship that are not reflected in the valuation of the interest rate swap. Furthermore, hedge ineffectiveness may be caused by changes in the relationship between 3-month LIBOR and 1-month LIBOR, as well as between the overnight indexed swap (OIS) and 1-month LIBOR, as basis spreads may impact the valuation of the interest rate swap without causing an offsetting impact in the value of the hedged debt. If a fair value hedge is de-designated or no longer considered to be effective, changes in fair value of the derivative continue to be recorded through earnings but the hedged asset or liability is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value resulting from changes in interest rates. The existing basis adjustment of the hedged asset or liability is amortized or accreted as an adjustment to yield over the remaining life of that asset or liability
	Cash Flow Hedges
	A cash flow hedge involves a derivative designated to hedge Credco's exposure to variable future cash flows attributable to a particular risk. Such exposures may relate to either an existing recognized asset or liability, or a forecasted transaction. Credco hedges existing long-term variable-rate debt, the rollover of short-term borrowings and the anticipated forecasted issuance of additional funding through the use of derivatives, primarily interest rate swaps. These derivative instruments economically convert floating-rate debt obligations to fixed-rate obligations for the duration of the instrument. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Credco did not hedge any of its floating-rate debt using interest rate swaps.
	For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivatives is recorded in AOCI and reclassified into earnings when the hedged cash flows are recognized in earnings. The amount that is reclassified into earnings is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the same line item in which the hedged instrument or transaction is recognized, primarily in interest expense. Any ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivatives is reported as a component of other expenses. If a cash flow hedge is de-designated or terminated prior to maturity, the amount previously recorded in AOCI is recognized into earnings over the period that the hedged item impacts earnings. If a hedge relationship is discontinued because it is probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur according to the original strategy, any related amounts previously recorded in AOCI are recognized into earnings immediately. No ineffectiveness or other amounts were reclassified from AOCI into income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and three months ended September 30, 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an amount of $(1) million loss was reclassified from AOCI into income.
	In the normal course of business, as the hedged cash flows are recognized into earnings, Credco does not expect to reclassify any amount of net pretax losses on derivatives from AOCI into earnings during the next 12 months.
	Net Investment Hedges
	A net investment hedge is used to hedge future changes in currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Credco primarily designates foreign currency derivatives, typically foreign exchange forwards, and on occasion foreign currency denominated debt, as hedges of net investments in certain foreign operations. These instruments reduce exposure to changes in currency exchange rates on Credco's investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries.
	Any ineffective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges is recognized in other expenses during the period of change.

Fair_Values_Tables

Fair Values (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Values (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis	'
	The following table summarizes Credco's financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP's valuation hierarchy as Level 2 (as described in the preceding paragraphs), as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
	(Millions)					2013			2012
	Assets:
	Derivatives(a)				$	262		$	432
	Total assets				$	262		$	432
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives(a)				$	67		$	79
	Total liabilities				$	67		$	79
Estimated fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities	'
	The following table discloses the estimated fair value for Credco's financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
						Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2013 (Billions)					Value			Total		Level 2		Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate
			fair value			$	20.3		$	20.3	$	20.3	$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Card Member loans		$	0.5		$	0.5	$	―	$	0.5
				Loans to affiliates		$	9.9		$	10	$	6.7	$	3.3
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or
			approximate fair value			$	5.9		$	5.9	$	5.9	$	―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
				Long-term debt		$	22		$	22.3	$	22.3	$	―
						Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2012 (Billions)					Value			Total		Level 2		Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate
			fair value			$	19.8		$	19.8	$	19.8	$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Card Member loans		$	0.5		$	0.5	$	―	$	0.5
				Loans to affiliates		$	13.2		$	13.2	$	9.5	$	3.7
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or
			approximate fair value			$	6.5		$	6.5	$	6.5	$	―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
				Long-term debt		$	24		$	24.5	$	24.5	$	―

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo1

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounts Receivable And Loans Tables [Abstract]	'
Card Member receivables detail	'
	Card Member receivables as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of:
	(Millions)			2013			2012
	U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services		$	4,987		$	4,464
	International and Global Commercial Services(a)			12,018			10,898
	Card Member receivables			17,005			15,362
	Less: Reserve for losses			85			83
		Card Member receivables, net(b)	$	16,920		$	15,279
	International is comprised of consumer and small business services.
	Card Member receivables modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) program were immaterial.
Card Member loans detail	'
	Card Member loans as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of:
	(Millions)			2013			2012
	International Card Services		$	469		$	462
	Less: Reserve for losses			5			5
		Card Member loans, net(a)	$	464		$	457
	Card Member loans modified in a TDR program were immaterial.
Aging of Card Mmember loans and receivables	'
	The following table represents the aging of Card Member receivables and loans as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
							30-59			60-89
							Days			Days			90+ Days
	2013 (Millions)			Current			Past Due			Past Due			Past Due			Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services	$	4,932		$	27		$	9		$	19		$	4,987
		International and Global Commercial Services(a)		(b)			(b)			(b)		$	100		$	12,018
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services(c)	$	461		$	3		$	2		$	3		$	469
							30-59			60-89
							Days			Days			90+ Days
	2012 (Millions)			Current			Past Due			Past Due			Past Due			Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services	$	4,420		$	15		$	9		$	20		$	4,464
		International and Global Commercial Services(a)		(b)			(b)			(b)		$	90		$	10,898
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services(c)	$	454		$	3		$	2		$	3		$	462
	For Card Member receivables in International and Global Commercial Services, 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 Credco initiates collection procedures on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member receivable balance is considered 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes.
	Data for periods prior to 90 days past billing are not available due to financial reporting system constraints. Therefore, it has not been relied upon 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.
	Card Member loans over 90 days past due continue to accrue interest.
Credit quality indicators for loans and receivables	'
	The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the nine months ended September 30:
				2013						2012
							30 Days						30 Days
				Net			Past Due			Net			Past Due
				Write-off			as a % of			Write-off			as a % of
				Rate	(a)		Total			Rate	(a)		Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services		1.08	%		1.1	%		1.34	%		1.24	%
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services		0.86	%		1.71	%		0.63	%		1.65	%
				2013						2012
				Net Loss			90 Days			Net Loss			90 Days
				Ratio as a			Past			Ratio as a			Past
				% of			Billing			% of			Billing
				Charge			as a % of			Charge			as a % of
				Volume	(b)		Receivables			Volume	(b)		Receivables
	Card Member Receivables:
		International and Global Commercial Services		0.06	%		0.83	%		0.07	%		0.71	%
	Credco's write-offs, net of recoveries, represent the amount of Card Member receivables or Card Member loans owned by Credco that are written off, expressed as a percentage of the average Card Member receivables or Card Member loans balances during the period.
	Credco's write-offs, net of recoveries, represent the amount of Card Member receivables owned by Credco that are written off, expressed as a percentage of the volume of Card Member receivables purchased by Credco during the period.

Reserves_for_Losses_Tables

Reserves for Losses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
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 nine months ended September 30:
	(Millions)		2013		2012
	Balance, January 1		$	83	$	71
	Additions:
		Provisions(a)		105		105
		Other credits(b)		41		37
	Deductions:
		Net write-offs(c)		-116		-114
		Other debits(d)		-28		―
	Balance, September 30		$	85	$	99
	Provisions resulting from authorized transactions.
	Primarily reserve balances applicable to participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased from an affiliate. Credco purchases Card Member receivables at fair value but due to system constraints, records the gross receivable amount and the corresponding reserve balance, which are included in its fair value estimate. Specifically, Credco's systems do not have the ability to track multiple accounting bases for Card Member receivables. Participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased from an affiliate totaled $7.7 billion and $4.9 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Net write-offs include recoveries of $87 million and $81 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Primarily reserves for losses attributable to participation interests in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate. Participation interests in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate totaled $5.7 billion and nil for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses	'
	The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the nine months ended September 30:
	(Millions)		2013		2012
	Balance, January 1		$	5	$	5
	Additions:
		Provisions(a)		3		1
	Deductions:
		Net write-offs(b)		-3		-2
	Balance, September 30		$	5	$	4
	Provisions resulting from authorized transactions.
	Net write-offs include recoveries of $4 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
				Deferred Charges and Other Assets				Accrued Interest and Other Liabilities
				Fair Value				Fair Value
	(Millions)			2013		2012		2013			2012
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
		Interest rate contracts
			Fair value hedges	$	216	$	406	$	―		$	―
			Cash flow hedges		―		―		―			―
		Foreign exchange contracts
			Net investment hedges		11		6		6			6
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			$	227	$	412	$	6		$	6
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
		Foreign exchange contracts		$	35	$	20	$	61		$	73
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			$	35	$	20	$	61		$	73
	Total derivatives, gross			$	262	$	432	$	67		$	79
	Cash collateral netting(a)				-203		-160		―			―
	Derivative asset and derivative liability netting(b)				-11		-7		-11			-7
	Total derivatives, net(c)			$	48	$	265	$	56		$	72
	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, Credco received noncash collateral in the form of security interest in U.S. Treasury securities with a fair value of nil and $242 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, none of which was sold or repledged. Such noncash collateral effectively further reduces Credco's risk exposure to $48 million and $23 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, but does not reduce the net exposure on Credco's Consolidated Balance Sheet. Additionally, Credco posted $33 million and nil as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps, 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.
	Credco has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities are presented within Deferred Charges and Other Assets and Accrued Interest and Other Liabilities on Credco'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 and Retained Earnings associated with Credco's hedges of its fixed-rate long-term debt for the three and nine months ended September 30:
	For the Three Months Ended September 30: (Millions)
			Gains (losses) recognized in income
			Derivative contract					Hedged item							Net hedge
				Amount						Amount					ineffectiveness
	Derivative Relationship		Income Statement Line Item	2013		2012		Income Statement Line Item		2013			2012		2013		2012
	Interest rate contracts		Other, net expenses	$	-8	$	-7	Other, net expenses		$	4		$	-15	$	-4	$	-22
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30: (Millions)
			Gains (losses) recognized in income
			Derivative contract					Hedged item							Net hedge
				Amount						Amount					ineffectiveness
	Derivative Relationship		Income Statement Line Item	2013		2012		Income Statement Line Item		2013			2012		2013		2012
	Interest rate contracts		Other, net expenses	$	-187	$	-11	Other, net expenses		$	185		$	-18	$	-2	$	-29
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 and Retained Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30:
	For the Three Months Ended September 30: (Millions)
			Pretax gains (losses)
				Amount
	Description		Income Statement Line Item	2013		2012
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other, net expenses	$	21	$	10
	Total			$	21	$	10
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30: (Millions)
			Pretax gains (losses)
				Amount
	Description		Income Statement Line Item	2013		2012
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other, net expenses	$	71	$	10
	Total			$	71	$	10

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C1

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'
Components of comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'
	Changes in each component of AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
			Net Unrealized		Foreign		Accumulated
			Gains (Losses)		Currency		Other
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 (Millions), net		on Cash		Translation		Comprehensive
	of tax		Flow Hedges		Adjustments		(Loss) Income
	Balances as of June 30, 2013	$	―	$	-367	$	-367
	Net unrealized losses		―		―		―
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings		―		―		―
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		―		68		68
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		―		-19		-19
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income		―		49		49
	Balances as of September 30, 2013	$	―	$	-318	$	-318
			Net Unrealized		Foreign		Accumulated
			Gains (Losses)		Currency		Other
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 (Millions), net		on Cash		Translation		Comprehensive
	of tax		Flow Hedges		Adjustments		(Loss) Income
	Balances as of December 31, 2012	$	―	$	8	$	8
	Net unrealized losses		―		―		―
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings		―		―		―
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		―		-326		-326
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		―		―		―
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss)		―		-326		-326
	Balances as of September 30, 2013	$	―	$	-318	$	-318
			Net Unrealized		Foreign		Accumulated
			Gains (Losses)		Currency		Other
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 (Millions), net		on Cash		Translation		Comprehensive
	of tax		Flow Hedges		Adjustments		(Loss) Income
	Balances as of June 30, 2012	$	―	$	-116	$	-116
	Net unrealized losses		―		―		―
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings		―		―		―
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		―		222		222
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		―		-58		-58
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income		―		164		164
	Balances as of September 30, 2012	$	―	$	48	$	48
			Net Unrealized		Foreign		Accumulated
			Gains (Losses)		Currency		Other
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 (Millions), net		on Cash		Translation		Comprehensive
	of tax		Flow Hedges		Adjustments		(Loss) Income
	Balances as of December 31, 2011	$	-1	$	-58	$	-59
	Net unrealized losses		―		―		―
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings		1		―		1
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		―		176		176
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		―		-70		-70
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income		1		106		107
	Balances as of September 30, 2012	$	―	$	48	$	48

Fair_Value_Details

Fair Value (Details) (Level 2 [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Derivatives	$262	$432
Total assets	262	432
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Derivatives	67	79
Total liabilities	$67	$79

Fair_Value_Details1

Fair Value (Details1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Financial assets carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'
Card Member loans, less reserves	$464,000,000	$457,000,000
Loans to affiliates	9,907,000,000	13,178,000,000
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term Debt	21,984,000,000	23,986,000,000
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets:	'	'
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	20,300,000,000	19,800,000,000
Financial Liabilities:	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	5,900,000,000	6,500,000,000
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets:	'	'
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	20,300,000,000	19,800,000,000
Financial assets carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'
Card Member loans, less reserves	0	0
Loans to affiliates	6,700,000,000	9,500,000,000
Financial Liabilities:	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	5,900,000,000	6,500,000,000
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term Debt	22,300,000,000	24,500,000,000
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets:	'	'
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	0	0
Financial assets carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'
Card Member loans, less reserves	500,000,000	500,000,000
Loans to affiliates	3,300,000,000	3,700,000,000
Financial Liabilities:	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	0	0
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term Debt	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets:	'	'
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	20,300,000,000	19,800,000,000
Financial assets carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'
Card Member loans, less reserves	500,000,000	500,000,000
Loans to affiliates	10,000,000,000	13,200,000,000
Financial Liabilities:	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	5,900,000,000	6,500,000,000
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term Debt	$22,300,000,000	$24,500,000,000

Fair_Value_Details_2

Fair Value (Details 2) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value for impairment	$0	$0

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo2

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	$17,005	$15,362	'	'
Less: Reserve for losses	85	83	99	71
Card Member receivables, net	16,920	15,279	'	'
US Consumer and Small Business Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	4,987	4,464	'	'
International and Global Commercial Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	$12,018	$10,898	'	'

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo3

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Card Member loans	'	'	'	'
Less: Reserve for losses	$5	$5	$4	$5
Card Member loans, net	464	457	'	'
International Card Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Card Member loans	'	'	'	'
Card Member loans	$469	$462	'	'

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo4

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
US Consumer and Small Business Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Financing receivable recorded investment aging	'	'
Current	$4,932	$4,420
30 to 59 days past due	27	15
60 to 89 days past due	9	9
90+ days past due	19	20
Total aging	4,987	4,464
International and Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Financing receivable recorded investment aging	'	'
90+ days past due	100	90
Total aging	12,018	10,898
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'
Financing receivable recorded investment aging	'	'
Current	461	454
30 to 59 days past due	3	3
60 to 89 days past due	2	2
90+ days past due	3	3
Total aging	$469	$462

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo5

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details 3)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
US Consumer and Small Business Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables	'	'
Net Write-off Rate	1.08%	1.34%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.10%	1.24%
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables	'	'
Net Write-off Rate	0.86%	0.63%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.71%	1.65%
International and Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables	'	'
Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume	0.06%	0.07%
90 Days Past Billing as a % of Receivables	0.83%	0.71%

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo6

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details Textuals) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
			RFC V [Member]	RFC V [Member]	RFC VIII [Member]	RFC VIII [Member]
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total volume of Card Member receivables purchased	$161	$149	'	'	'	'
Total volume of Card Member loans purchased	2.9	2.5	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased without recourse	'	'	$0	$1.70	$5	$2.90

Reserves_Details

Reserves (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Changes in the Card Member receivable reserve for losses	'	'
Balance, January 1	$83	$71
Additions:	'	'
Provisions	105	105
Other credits	41	37
Deductions:	'	'
Net write-offs	-116	-114
Other debits	-28	0
Balance, September 30	$85	$99

Reserves_Details_1

Reserves (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses	'	'
Balance, January 1	$5	$5
Additions:	'	'
Provisions	3	1
Deductions:	'	'
Net write-offs	-3	-2
Balance, September 30	$5	$4

Reserves_Details_Textuals

Reserves (Details Textuals) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reserves For Losses (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'
Participation interest in Card Member receivables purchased from an affiliate	$7,700,000,000	$4,900,000,000
Recoveries, Card Member receivables	87,000,000	81,000,000
Participation interest in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate	5,700,000,000	0
Recoveries, Card Member loans	$4,000,000	$4,000,000

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	$262	$432
Cash collateral netting	-203	-160
Derivative asset and liability netting	-11	-7
Total derivatives assets, net	48	265
Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	227	412
Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	35	20
Other Assets [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	35	20
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	216	406
Other Assets [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	0	0
Other Assets [Member] | Net Investment Hedging [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives assets	11	6
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	67	79
Cash collateral netting	0	0
Derivative asset and liability netting	-11	-7
Total derivatives liabilities, net	56	72
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	6	6
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	61	73
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	61	73
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [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	0	0
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	0	0
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [Member] | Net Investment Hedging [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivatives liabilties	$6	$6

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi3

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 1) (Other Expense [Member], Interest Rate Contract [Member], Fair Value Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative contract	($8)	($7)	($187)	($11)
Hedged item	4	-15	185	-18
Net hedge ineffectiveness	($4)	($22)	($2)	($29)

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi4

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gains (losses)	$21	$10	$71	$10
Other Expense [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gains (losses)	$21	$10	$71	$10

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi5

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivatives And Hedging Activities Textuals [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net reduction in interest expense	$53,000,000	$73,000,000	$193,000,000	$214,000,000	'
Net pretax losses on derivatives reclassified from AOCI into earnings	'	'	0	'	'
Derivative assets not offset	0	'	0	'	0
Derivative liabilities not offset	0	'	0	'	0
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Margin on interest rate swap not netted	33,000,000	'	33,000,000	'	0
Individually Significant Counterparties [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total derivatives assets, net	0	'	0	'	0
Not Sold Or Repledged [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Securities received as collateral	0	'	0	'	242,000,000
Risk Exposure Low [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total derivatives assets, net	48,000,000	'	48,000,000	'	23,000,000
Fair Value Hedging [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Notional amount of long-term debt	12,400,000,000	'	12,400,000,000	'	14,400,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Notional amount of long-term debt	0	'	0	'	0
Amount reclassified from AOCI into income	0	0	0	-1,000,000	'
Net Investment Hedging [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Effection portion of gain (loss) on hedges	-19,000,000	-58,000,000	0	-70,000,000	'
Ineffectiveness reclassified from AOCI into income	'	'	0	0	'
Credit Valuation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Notional amount of long-term debt	$0	'	$0	'	$0

Variable_Interest_Entity_Detai

Variable Interest Entity (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$30,819	$33,795
Total liabilities	27,959	30,627
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | American Express Canada Credit Corporation Member [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	2,300	2,400
Total liabilities	2,300	2,400
Liabilities eliminated in consolidation	$0	$76

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C2

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Changes in other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balances as of start of period	($318)	$8	($367)	($116)	$8	($59)	$0	$0	$0	($1)	($367)	($116)	$8	($58)
Net unrealized (losses)	'	'	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Reclassification for realized losses into earnings	'	'	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	68	222	-326	176	0	0	0	0	68	222	-326	176
Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations	'	'	-19	-58	0	-70	0	0	0	0	-19	-58	0	-70
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	49	164	-326	107	0	0	0	1	49	164	-326	106
Balances as of end of period	($318)	$8	($318)	$48	($318)	$48	$0	$0	$0	$0	($318)	$48	($318)	$48

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C3

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'
Amount of gain loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to income	$0	$0

Income_Tax_Details_Textuals

Income Tax (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits as a result of potential resolutions of prior years' tax	$517	'	$517	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, amounts recorded to equity	504	'	504	'
Unrecognized tax benefits impact not possible to quantify	$13	'	$13	'
Effective tax rate	1.10%	-24.40%	-30.00%	-23.70%
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	'	'	35.00%	'
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	'