American Express Credit 10-K 11 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 11, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000004969	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$0
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	1,504,938	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues	'	'	'
Discount revenue earned from purchased Card Member receivables and loans	$547	$543	$435
Interest income from affiliates	412	494	505
Interest income from deposits	2	8	6
Finance revenue	46	43	38
Total revenues	1,007	1,088	984
Expenses	'	'	'
Provisions for losses	148	143	80
Interest expense	590	731	695
Interest expense to affiliates	7	18	12
Other, net	-88	-92	-152
Total expenses	657	800	635
Pretax income	350	288	349
Income tax benefit	-96	-51	-48
Net income	$446	$339	$397

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$446	$339	$397
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'
Net unrealized derivatives gains (losses), net of tax	0	1	-1
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-486	66	37
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-486	67	36
Comprehensive (loss) income	($40)	$406	$433

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$86	$275
Card Member receivables, less reserves	14,458	15,279
Card Member loans, less reserves	519	457
Loans to affiliates	11,340	13,178
Deferred charges and other assets	143	430
Due from affiliates	3,380	4,176
Total assets	29,926	33,795
Liabilities	'	'
Short-term debt	200	18
Short-term debt to affiliates	3,583	4,096
Long-term debt	21,700	23,986
Total debt	25,483	28,100
Due to affiliates	1,323	2,022
Accrued interest and other liabilities	433	505
Total liabilities	27,239	30,627
Shareholder's Equity	'	'
Common stock, $.10 par value, authorized 3 million shares; issued and outstanding 1.5 million shares	0	0
Additional paid-in-capital	161	161
Retained earnings	3,004	2,999
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-478	8
Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-478	8
Total shareholder's equity	2,687	3,168
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	$29,926	$33,795

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Card Member receivables, reserves	$76	$83
Card Member loans, reserves	4	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	($34)	($43)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	'	'	'
Net income	$446	$339	$397
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Provisions for losses	148	143	80
Amortization and other	20	24	3
Deferred taxes	9	16	-35
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Interest, taxes and other amounts due from affiliates, net	-199	61	73
Other operating assets and liabilities	-675	-196	471
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-251	387	989
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	'	'	'
Net decrease (increase ) in Card Member receivables and loans	936	-2,685	-600
Net decrease (increase) in loans to affiliates	1,210	-1,413	-500
Net decrease (increase) in due from affiliates	6	1,775	-1,871
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	2,152	-2,323	-2,971
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	'	'	'
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt	179	-620	-9
Net (decrease) increase in short-term debt to affiliates	-524	53	255
Issuance of long-term debt	3,549	4,244	8,523
Principal payments on long-term debt	-4,845	-1,596	-6,436
Dividends paid	-441	-368	-865
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-2,082	1,713	1,468
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-8	18	6
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-189	-205	-508
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	275	480	988
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$86	$275	$480

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
In Millions
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$3,563	$0	$162	($95)	$3,496
Net income	397	'	'	'	397
Other comprehensive income	36	'	'	36	'
Cash dividends paid	-865	'	'	'	-865
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011	3,131	0	162	-59	3,028
Net income	339	'	'	'	339
Other comprehensive income	67	'	'	67	'
Other changes	-1	'	-1	'	'
Cash dividends paid	-368	'	'	'	-368
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	3,168	0	161	8	2,999
Net income	446	'	'	'	446
Other comprehensive income	-486	'	'	-486	'
Cash dividends paid	-441	'	'	'	-441
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$2,687	$0	$161	($478)	$3,004

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The Company
	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® Green Card, the American Express® Gold Card, Platinum Card®, Corporate Card and other American Express cards issued in the U.S. and in certain countries outside the U.S. Credco also finances certain interest-earning revolving loans generated by Card Member spending on American Express credit cards issued in non-U.S. markets, although interest-earning 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.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements of Credco are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Significant intercompany transactions are eliminated.
	Credco consolidates all entities in which it holds a “controlling financial interest.” For voting interest entities, Credco is considered to hold a controlling financial interest when it is able to exercise control over the investees' operating and financial decisions. For variable interest entities (VIEs), it is considered to hold a controlling financial interest when it is determined to be the primary beneficiary. A primary beneficiary is the party that has both: (1) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact that entity's economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The determination of whether an entity is a VIE is based on the amount and characteristics of the entity's equity.
	Foreign Currency
	Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon exchange rates prevailing at the end of each year. The resulting translation adjustments, along with any related qualifying hedge and tax effects, are included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (AOCI), a component of shareholder's equity. Translation adjustments, including qualifying hedge and tax effects, are reclassified to earnings upon the sale or substantial liquidation of investments in foreign operations. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average month-end exchange rates during the year. Gains and losses related to transactions in a currency other than the functional currency, including operations outside the U.S. where the functional currency is the U.S. dollar, are reported net in Credco's Consolidated Statements of Income, in interest expense or other expenses, depending on the nature of the activity. Net foreign currency transaction gains amounted to approximately $91 million, $120 million and $137 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Amounts Based on Estimates and Assumptions
	Accounting estimates are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements. These estimates are based, in part, on management's assumptions concerning future events. Among the more significant assumptions are those that relate to reserves for Card Member losses on receivables and loans, fair value measurement and income taxes. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ.
	Discount Revenue Earned from Purchased Card Member Receivables and Loans
	Credco earns discount revenue from purchasing Card Member receivables and loans at a discount to par value. The discount is deferred and recognized as revenue over the period that the receivables are estimated to be outstanding or funded. Estimates are based on the historical average life of Card Member receivables.
	Interest Income from Affiliates
	Interest income from affiliates is earned on interest-bearing loans made by Credco to affiliates. Interest income is accrued primarily using the average daily balance method on loans and is recognized based on the outstanding loan principal amount and interest rates specified in the agreements until the outstanding loan balance is paid.
	Interest Income from Deposits
	Interest income from deposits with banks is recognized as earned, and primarily relates to the placement of cash in interest-bearing time deposits and other interest-bearing bank accounts.
	Finance Revenue
	Finance revenue is assessed using the average daily balance method for Card Member loans and is recognized based upon the loan principal amount outstanding in accordance with the terms of the applicable account agreement until the outstanding balance is paid or written off.
	Interest Expense
	Interest expense includes interest incurred primarily to fund Card Member receivables and loans, general corporate purposes, and liquidity needs, and is recognized as incurred.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and amounts due from banks, interest-bearing bank balances, and other highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less.
	Other Significant Accounting Policies
	The following table identifies Credco's other significant accounting policies, the Note and page where the Note can be found.
		Note
	Significant Accounting Policy	Number	Note Title	Page
	Fair Value Measurements	Note 2	Fair Values	F-10
	Card Member Receivables and Loans	Note 3	Card Member Receivables and Loans	F-13
	Reserves for Losses – Card Member Receivables and Loans	Note 4	Reserves for Losses	F-16
	Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities	Note 7	Derivatives and Hedging Activities	F-19
	Income Taxes	Note 12	Income Taxes	F-27
	Classification of Various Items
	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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Values	'
	Note 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 years ended December 31, 2013 and 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 December 31:
	(Millions)		2013		2012
	Assets:
	Derivatives(a)		$	214	$	432
	Total assets			214		432
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives(a)			50		79
	Total liabilities		$	50	$	79
	Refer to Note 7 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis
						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		$	18	$	18	$	18	$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Card Member loans, net		0.5		0.5		―		0.5
				Loans to affiliates		11.3		11.4		8.2		3.2
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or
			approximate fair value			5.4		5.4		5.4		―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
				Long-term debt	$	21.7	$	22	$	22	$	―
						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, net		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 December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, 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, due 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 years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo

Card Member Receivables and Loans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Card Member Receivables and Loans [Abstract]	'
Card Member Receivables and Loans	'
	Note 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 on 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 Members 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 net volume of Card Member receivables purchased during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $210 billion, $200 billion and $168 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 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 December 31, 2013, the Charge Trust was dissolved, and TRS will utilize the Charge Trust II for securitization of Card Member receivables., by TRS. The Charge Trust II is a special purpose entity that is consolidated by TRS. As of December 31, 2013 and 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) 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 December 31, 2013 represents purchases of the participation interests from RFC VIII only.. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, CRC owned approximately $2.5 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively, of participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased without recourse from RFC VIII.
	Card Member receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of:
	(Millions)				2013			2012
	U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services			$	2,490		$	4,464
	International Card Services and Global Commercial Services(a)(c)				12,044			10,898
	Card Member receivables				14,534			15,362
	Less: Reserve for losses				76			83
	Card Member receivables, net(b)(c)			$	14,458		$	15,279
	International is comprised of consumer and small business services.
	Card Member receivables modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) program were immaterial.
	Effective 2013, Credco has reclassified $254 million of credit balances included among Card Member receivables to Due to affiliates.
	Card Member Loans
	Card Member loans represent revolving amounts due on 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 Members who elect to revolve a portion of the outstanding balance by entering into a revolving payment arrangement with American Express. 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 that issue the card (card issuers). The net volume of Card Member loans purchased during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $4 billion, $3 billion and $3 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 December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of:
	(Millions)				2013			2012
	International Card Services			$	523		$	462
	Less: Reserve for losses				4			5
	Card Member loans, net(a)(b)			$	519		$	457
	Card Member loans modified in a TDR program were immaterial.
	Effective 2013, Credco has reclassified $7 million of credit balances included among Card Member loans to Due to affiliates.
	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 December 31, 2013 and 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			$	2,464		$	12		$	5	$	9	$	2,490
		International Card Services and Global
			Commercial Services(a)			(b)			(b)			(b)		115		12,044
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services(c)			$	514		$	4		$	2	$	3	$	523
									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 Card Services 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 Card Services 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 years ended December 31:
				2013				2012
				Net		30 Days Past			Net		30 Days Past
				Write-off		Due as a %			Write-off		Due as a %
				Rate(a)		of Total			Rate(a)		of Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services		1.01	%	1.04	%		1.23	%	0.99	%
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services		0.85	%	1.72	%		0.7	%	1.73	%
				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 Card Services and Global
	Commercial Services		0.06	%	0.95	%		0.06	%	0.83	%
Credco's net write-off rate represents 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 net loss ratio represents 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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Reserves for Losses [Abstract]	'
Reserves for Losses	'
	Note 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 and analytical 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 delinquency-based loss migration rates, loss emergence periods 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 years ended December 31:
	(Millions)		2013		2012			2011
	Balance, January 1		$	83	$	71	$	112
	Additions:
		Provisions(a)		145		140		82
		Other credits(b)		41		54		23
	Deductions:
		Net write-offs(c)		148		147		120
		Other debits(d)		45		35		26
	Balance, December 31		$	76	$	83	$	71
	Provisions resulting from authorized transactions.
	Primarily reserve balances applicable to new groups of Card Member receivables purchased from TRS and certain of its subsidiaries and participation interests from affiliates. 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. New groups of Card Member receivables purchased from an affiliate totaled $7.7 billion, $7.5 billion and $2.7 billion for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Net write-offs include recoveries of $110 million, $107 million and $95 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 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 $9.1 billion, $5.8 billion and $3.3 billion for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Changes in Card Member Loans Reserve for Losses
	The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the years ended December 31:
	(Millions)		2013		2012		2011
	Balance, January 1		$	5	$	5	$	9
	Additions:
		Provisions(a)		3		3		-2
	Deductions:
		Net write-offs(b)		4		3		2
	Balance, December 31		$	4	$	5	$	5
	Provisions resulting from authorized transactions.
	Net write-offs include recoveries of $5 million, $6 million and $7 million for years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Note 5 – Debt
	Short-Term Debt
	Credco's short-term debt outstanding (excluding short-term debt to affiliates), defined as borrowings with original maturities of less than one year, as of December 31 were as follows:
				2013						2012
				Outstanding		Year-End Stated				Outstanding		Year-End Stated
	(Millions, except percentages)			Balance		Rate on Debt(a)				Balance		Rate on Debt(a)
	Commercial paper		$	200		0.19	%		$	―		―	%
	Bank notes payable			―		―				18		1.1
	Total		$	200		0.19	%		$	18		1.1	%
	For floating rate debt issuances, the stated interest rates are based on the floating rates in effect as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Credco paid interest on short-term debt obligations of $1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Long-Term Debt
	Credco's long-term debt outstanding, defined as debt with original maturities of one year or greater, as of December 31 was as follows:
									2013							2012
													Year-End							Year-End
											Year-End		Effective					Year-End		Effective
											Stated		Interest					Stated		Interest
	(Millions, except					Maturity			Outstanding		Rate		Rate with			Outstanding		Rate		Rate with
	percentages)					Dates			Balance	(a)	on Debt	(b)	Swaps	(b)(c)		Balance	(a)	on Debt	(b)	Swaps	(b)(c)
	Fixed Rate
		Senior Notes				2014-2018		$	14,875		3.13	%	2.03	%	$	17,163		4.2	%	2.39	%
	Floating Rate
		Senior Notes				2014-2016			2,855		1.14		―			2,203		1.59		―
	Borrowings
		under Bank
			Credit
				Facilities		2015-2016			4,012		4.18		―	%		4,672		4.87		―	%
	Unamortized
		Underwriting
			Fees						-42							-52
	Total Long-Term
		Debt						$	21,700		3.06	%			$	23,986		4.09	%
	The outstanding balances include (i) unamortized discount and premium, (ii) the impact of movements in exchange rates on foreign currency denominated debt and (iii) the impact of fair value hedge accounting on certain fixed-rate notes that have been swapped to floating rate through the use of interest rate swaps. Under fair value hedge accounting, the outstanding balances on these fixed-rate notes are adjusted to reflect the impact of changes in fair value due to changes in interest rates. Refer to Note 7 for more details on Credco's treatment of fair value hedges.
	For floating-rate debt issuances, the stated and effective interest rates are based on the floating rates in effect as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Effective interest rates are only presented when swaps are in place to hedge the underlying debt.
	Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt obligations (based on final maturity dates) as of December 31, 2013 were as follows:
	(Millions)
	2014			$	4,420
	2015				7,010
	2016				7,293
	2017				1,500
	2018				1,340
		Total			21,563
	Unamortized Underwriting Fees				-42
	Unamortized Discount and Premium				-1
	Impacts due to Fair Value Hedge Accounting				180
	Total Long-Term Debt			$	21,700
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, Credco maintained total bank lines of credit of $7 billion and $7.7 billion, respectively. Of the total credit lines, $3 billion was undrawn as of both December 31, 2013 and 2012. Undrawn amounts support commercial paper borrowings and contingent funding needs. $4.8 billion and $2.2 billion of these credit facilities will expire in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Credco paid $37.7 million and $37.8 million in fees to maintain these lines for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The availability of these credit lines is subject to compliance with certain financial covenants, including the maintenance of a 1.25 ratio of earnings to fixed charges. As of December 31, 2013, Credco's ratio of earnings to fixed charges was 1.59.
	The committed bank credit facilities do not contain material adverse change clauses that would preclude borrowing under the credit facilities. Additionally, the facilities may not be terminated should there be a change in Credco's credit ratings.
	Credco paid interest on long-term debt obligations and corresponding interest rate swaps of $0.5 billion, $0.7 billion and $0.7 billion for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Restrictions_as_to_Dividends_a

Restrictions as to Dividends and Limitations on Indebtedness	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restrictions On Dividends And Limitations On Indebetedness [Abstract]	'
Restrictions as to Dividends and Limitations on Indebtedness	'
	Note 6 – Restrictions as to Dividends and Limitations on Indebtedness
	The debt instruments issued by Credco impose the requirement that Credco maintain a minimum consolidated net worth of $50 million, which limits the amount of dividends Credco could pay to its parent. There are no limitations on the amount of debt that can be issued by Credco, provided it maintains the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'
	Note 7 – 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 U.S. 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 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 funding foreign currency Card Member receivables and loans with U.S. dollars, foreign currency balance sheet exposures, foreign subsidiary equity and foreign currency earnings in entities outside the U.S. Credco's foreign exchange risk is managed primarily by entering into agreements to buy and sell currencies on a spot basis or by hedging this 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 U.S. 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 December 31, 2013 and 2012 is subject to such master netting agreements with its derivative counterparties. There are no instances in which 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 December 31, 2013 and 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 December 31:
					Deferred Charges and						Accrued Interest and
					Other Assets						Other Liabilities
					Fair Value						Fair Value
	(Millions)				2013			2012			2013			2012
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
		Interest rate contracts
			Fair value hedges		$	181		$	406		$	2		$	―
		Foreign exchange contracts
			Net investment hedges			17			6			6			6
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments					198			412			8			6
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
		Foreign exchange contracts				16			20			42			73
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments					16			20			42			73
	Total derivatives, gross					214			432			50			79
	Cash collateral netting(a)					-167			-160			―			―
	Derivative asset and derivative liability netting(b)					-9			-7			-9			-7
	Total derivatives, net(c)				$	38		$	265		$	41		$	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 December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, none of which was sold or repledged. Such noncash collateral effectively further reduces Credco's risk exposure to $38 million and $23 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, but does not reduce the net exposure on Credco's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, Credco posted $26 million and nil as of December 31, 2013 and 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 December 31, 2013 and 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 associated with Credco's hedges of its fixed-rate long-term debt for the years ended December 31:
			Gains (losses) recognized in income
	(Millions)		Derivative contract											Hedged item								Net hedge
	Derivative		Income Statement		Amount									Income Statement		Amount						ineffectiveness
	relationship		Line Item			2013			2012			2011		Line Item			2013		2012		2011		2013		2012		2011
	Interest rate
	contracts		Other expenses		$	-224		$	-86		$	81		Other expenses		$	218	$	54	$	-70	$	-6	$	-32	$	11
	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 or (loss) on net investment hedges, net of taxes, recorded in AOCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment was $15 million, $(69) million and $39 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 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 years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	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 for the years ended December 31:
				Pretax gains (losses)
							Amount
	Description (Millions)			Income Statement Line Item			2013			2012			2011
	Foreign exchange contracts			Other expenses		$	78		$	-5		$	183
	Total					$	78		$	-5		$	183

Variable_Interest_Entity

Variable Interest Entity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entity [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entity	'
	Note 8 – 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 December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $2.3 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, the majority of which were eliminated in consolidation. Total liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $2.2 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, and were primarily recorded in long-term debt. As of December 31, 2013 and 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.

Transactions_With_Affiliates

Transactions With Affiliates	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Transactions with Affiliates	'
	Note 9 – Transactions with Affiliates
	As described below, 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 parties.
	In 2013, 2012 and 2011, Credco purchased Card Member receivables and loans without recourse from TRS and certain of its subsidiaries totaling approximately $223 billion, $210 billion and $174 billion, respectively. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, Credco sold Card Member receivables and participating interests to affiliates totaling $9.1 billion, $5.8 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively. The discount revenue on purchased Card Member receivables and loans totaled $547 million, $543 million and $ 435 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The receivables agreements require TRS and its subsidiaries to perform accounting, clerical and other services necessary to bill and collect all Card Member receivables and loans owned by Credco. Since settlements under the agreements occur monthly, an amount due from, or payable to, such affiliates may arise at the end of each month.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, CRC owned approximately nil and $1.7 billion, respectively, of participation interests purchased from RFC V. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, CRC owned approximately $2.5 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively, of participation interests purchased from RFC VIII.
	Other transactions with American Express and its subsidiaries as of or for the years ended December 31, were as follows:
	(Millions, except percentages)		2013				2012			2011
	Loans to affiliates	$	11,340			$	13,178		$	11,437
	Average interest rate on loans to affiliates		3.55	%			4.25	%		4.7	%
	Due from affiliates	$	3,380			$	4,176		$	5,689
	Short-term debt to affiliates	$	3,583			$	4,096		$	4,035
	Average interest rate on short-term debt to affiliates		0.16	%			0.41	%		0.27	%
	Maximum month-end level of borrowings during the year	$	6,673			$	5,995		$	9,560
	Due to affiliates	$	1,323			$	2,022		$	1,702
	Maximum month-end level of loans to affiliates during the year	$	13,507			$	13,178		$	11,437
	Interest income from affiliates	$	412			$	494		$	505
	Interest expense to affiliates	$	7			$	18		$	12
	Other, net expense from affiliates	$	-9			$	-10		$	-9
	Credco's loans to affiliates represent floating rate interest-bearing intercompany borrowings by other wholly owned subsidiaries of TRS. Revenue earned from loans to affiliates is recorded as interest income from affiliates in the Consolidated Statements of Income. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, no amount of loss reserves has been recorded and no loans are 30 days or more past due.
	The components of loans to affiliates as of December 31 were as follows:
	(Millions)			2013			2012
	American Express Services Europe Limited		$	3,185		$	3,040
	Amex Bank of Canada			3,161			3,000
	American Express Australia Limited			3,119			3,791
	American Express Company			819			2,316
	American Express Co. (Mexico) S.A. de C.V.			535			516
	American Express Bank (Mexico) S.A.			415			401
	American Express International, Inc.			106			114
	Total (a)		$	11,340		$	13,178
	As of December 31, 2013, Credco had $11.3 billion of outstanding loans to affiliates, of which approximately $5.8 billion were collateralized by the underlying Card Member receivables and Card Member loans transferred with recourse and the remaining $5.5 billion were uncollateralized loans primarily to affiliated banks and American Express Company. As of December 31, 2012, Credco had $13.2 billion of outstanding loans to affiliates, of which approximately $6.5 billion were collateralized by the underlying Card Member receivables and Card Member loans transferred with recourse and the remaining $6.7 billion were uncollateralized loans primarily to affiliated banks and American Express Company.
	Due from/to affiliates relate primarily to timing differences from the purchase of Card Member receivables, net of remittances from TRS, as well as from operating activities.
	Components of short-term debt to affiliates as of December 31 were as follows:
	(Millions)		2013			2012
	AE Exposure Management Ltd.	$	2,541		$	2,535
	American Express Swiss Holdings		419			335
	American Express Europe LLC		261			648
	American Express Holdings (Netherlands) C.V.		188			226
	National Express Company, Inc.		123			108
	Other		51			244
	Total	$	3,583		$	4,096
	Short-term debt to affiliates consists primarily of master note agreements for which there is no stated term. Credco does not expect any changes to its short-term funding strategies with affiliates.
	Service Fees to Affiliates
	Affiliates do not explicitly charge Credco a servicing fee for the servicing of receivables purchased. Instead Credco receives a lower discount rate on the receivables sold to Credco than would be the case if servicing fees were charged. If a servicing fee had been charged by these affiliates from which Credco purchases receivables, servicing fees to affiliates would have been higher by approximately $138 million, $139 million and $127 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Correspondingly, discount revenue would have increased by approximately the same amounts in these periods.

Significant_Credit_Concentrati

Significant Credit Concentrations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Significant Credit Concentrations	'
	Note 10 – Significant Credit Concentrations
	Concentrations of credit risk exist when changes in economic, industry or geographic factors similarly affect groups of counterparties whose aggregate credit exposure is material in relation to Credco's total credit exposure. Credco's primary credit exposure, Card Member receivables and loans and loans to affiliates, is diversified among TRS affiliated companies with Card Members that operate in diverse industries, economic sectors and geographic regions.
	The following table details Credco's maximum credit exposure by category, including the credit exposure associated with derivative financial instruments, as of December 31:
	(Billions)				2013			2012
	On-balance sheet:
		Individuals(a)		$	7		$	8
		Financial institutions(b)			1			1
		Loans to affiliates			11			13
		Due from affiliates			3			4
		All other(c)			8			7
	Total on-balance sheet(d)			$	30		$	33
	The following table details Credco's Card Member receivables and loans exposure in the U.S. and outside the U.S. as of December 31:
	(Billions)			2013			2012
	U.S.		$	11		$	12
	Non-U.S.			4			4
	Total(a)(b)		$	15		$	16
	Represents Card Member loans to individuals as well as receivables from individuals and corporate institutions as discussed in footnotes (a) and (c) from the previous table.
	The remainder of Credco's on-balance sheet exposure includes cash and cash equivalents, loans to affiliates, due from affiliates and deferred charges and other assets including the credit exposure associated with derivative financial instruments. The majority of these balances are outside the U.S.

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	'
	Note 11 – 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 years ended December 31 were as follows:
					Net
					Unrealized			Foreign			Accumulated
					Gains (Losses)			Currency			Other
					on Cash			Translation			Comprehensive
	(Millions), net of tax(a)				Flow Hedges			Adjustments			(Loss) Income
	Balances as of December 31, 2010			$	―		$	-95		$	-95
	Net unrealized losses				-2			―			-2
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings				1			―			1
	Foreign currency translation adjustments				―			-2			-2
	Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations				―			39			39
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income				-1			37			36
	Balances as of December 31, 2011				-1			-58			-59
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings				1			―			1
	Foreign currency translation adjustments				―			135			135
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations				―			-69			-69
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income				1			66			67
	Balances as of December 31, 2012				―			8			8
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings				―			―			―
	Foreign currency translation adjustments				―			-501			-501
	Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations				―			15			15
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss				―			-486			-486
	Balances as of December 31, 2013			$	―		$	-478		$	-478
	The following table shows the tax impact for the three years ended December 31 for the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
	(Millions)		2013			2012			2011
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	―		$	―		$	22
	Net investment hedges		9			-41			24
	Total tax impact	$	9		$	-41		$	46
	No amounts were reclassified out of AOCI into the Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 12 – 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.
	The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31 included in Credco's Consolidated Statements of Income were as follows:
	(Millions)					2013			2012			2011
	Current income tax (benefit) expense:
		U.S. federal			$	-122		$	-84		$	-61
		U.S. state and local				-5			-10			3
		Non-U.S.				21			29			41
			Total current income tax benefit			-106			-65			-17
	Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:
		U.S. federal				―			16			-35
		Non-U.S.				10			-2			4
			Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)			10			14			-31
	Total income tax benefit				$	-96		$	-51		$	-48
	A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35 percent to Credco's actual income tax rate for the years ended December 31, were as follows:
				2013			2012			2011
	U.S. statutory federal income tax rate			35	%		35	%		35	%
	Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
		State and local income taxes		-0.6			-2.6			―
		Non-U.S. subsidiaries earnings(a)		-39.2			-51.5			-48.9
		Tax Settlements(b)		-22.9			―			―
		All other		0.3			1.4			0.1
	Actual tax rate			-27.4	%		-17.7	%		-13.8	%
	Results for all years include recurring permanent tax benefits in relation to the level of pretax income. Expenses in the United States are attracting a 35 percent statutory benefit whereas foreign earnings are taxed at lower rates and are indefinitely reinvested. Credco's effective tax rate reflects the favorable impact of the tax benefit related to its ongoing funding activities outside the United States.
	The tax rate reflects favorable resolution of certain prior years' tax items.
	Credco records a deferred income tax (benefit) provision when there are differences between assets and liabilities measured for financial reporting and for income tax return purposes. These temporary differences result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years and are measured using the tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is established when management determines that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the benefit of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are reflected in the following table:
	(Millions)					2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
		Reserves not yet deducted for tax purposes			$	4		$	9
		Unremitted foreign earnings				7			13
		State income taxes				19			19
		Other				2			2
			Gross deferred tax assets			32			43
	Deferred tax liabilities:
		Other				1			3
			Gross deferred tax liabilities			1			3
	Net deferred tax assets				$	31		$	40
	Credco is subject to the income tax laws of the U.S., its states and municipalities and those of the foreign jurisdictions in which American Express operates. These tax laws are complex, and the manner in which they apply to the taxpayer's facts is sometimes open to interpretation. Given these inherent complexities, Credco must make judgments in assessing the likelihood that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the tax position. A tax position is recognized only when, based on management's judgment regarding the application of income tax laws, it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. The amount of benefit recognized for financial reporting purposes is based on management's best judgment of the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized on ultimate settlement with the taxing authority given the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. Credco adjusts the level of unrecognized tax benefits when there is new information available to assess the likelihood of the outcome.
	(Millions)					2013			2012			2011
	Balance, January 1				$	757		$	737		$	528
		Increases:
			Current year tax positions			19			30			30
			Tax positions related to prior years			1			―			189
		Decreases:
			Tax positions related to prior years			-290			-3			-2
			Settlements with tax authorities			―			-2			-2
			Lapse of statute of limitations			-6			-5			-6
	Balance, December 31				$	481		$	757		$	737
	Included in the unrecognized tax benefits of $481 million, $757 million and $737 million for December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, are approximately $23 million, $102 million and $106 million, respectively, that if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate in a future period.
	Credco believes it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next 12 months by as much as $446 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 $446 million of unrecognized tax benefits, approximately $444 million relates to amounts that if recognized would be recorded to shareholder's equity and would not impact the effective tax rate. The remaining $2 million is not expected to have a material impact on the effective tax rate and net income. Resolution of the prior years' items that comprise this remaining amount could have an impact on the effective tax rate and on net income, either favorably (principally as a result of settlements that are less than the liability for unrecognized tax benefits) or unfavorably (if such settlements exceed the liability for unrecognized tax benefits).
	Interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits are reported in the income tax provision. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Credco recognized approximately $(7) million, $(3) million and $4 million, respectively, of interest and penalties. Credco has approximately $31 million and $32 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Current taxes due from affiliates included current federal and state taxes receivable from American Express of $58 million as of December 31, 2013, and current federal taxes payable to American Express of $140 million as of December 31, 2012.
	Net income taxes paid by Credco during 2013 were $104 million and income taxes refunded to Credco during 2012 were $101 million.

Geographic_Regions

Geographic Regions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Geographic Regions Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Geographic Regions	'
	Note 13 – Geographic Regions
	Credco is principally engaged in the business of financing the Card Member receivables and loans of its affiliates. Management makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on an ongoing review of these financing activities, which constitute Credco's only operating segment for financial reporting purposes.
	The following table presents Credco's revenues and pretax income in different geographic regions:
	(Millions)			2013(a)		2012(a)		2011(a)
	Revenues
		United States	$	538	$	516	$	425
		Outside the United States		469		572		559
	Consolidated		$	1,007	$	1,088	$	984
	Pretax income
		United States	$	191	$	121	$	172
		Outside the United States		159		167		177
	Consolidated		$	350	$	288	$	349
	The data in the table above is, in part, based upon internal allocations, which necessarily involve management's judgment. The allocation methodology was updated in 2013, with corresponding changes to comparative numbers.

Quarterly_Financial_Data

Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Data	'
	Note 14 – Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	Quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:
	(Millions)	2013								2012
	Quarters ended		31-Dec		30-Sep		30-Jun		31-Mar		31-Dec		30-Sep		30-Jun		31-Mar
	Revenues	$	222	$	246	$	260	$	279	$	264	$	286	$	285	$	253
	Pretax income		67		92		92		99		73		57		89		69
	Net income	$	78	$	91	$	166	$	111	$	73	$	71	$	105	$	90

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements of Credco are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Significant intercompany transactions are eliminated.
	Credco consolidates all entities in which it holds a “controlling financial interest.” For voting interest entities, Credco is considered to hold a controlling financial interest when it is able to exercise control over the investees' operating and financial decisions. For variable interest entities (VIEs), it is considered to hold a controlling financial interest when it is determined to be the primary beneficiary. A primary beneficiary is the party that has both: (1) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact that entity's economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The determination of whether an entity is a VIE is based on the amount and characteristics of the entity's equity.
Foreign Currency	'
	Foreign Currency
	Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon exchange rates prevailing at the end of each year. The resulting translation adjustments, along with any related qualifying hedge and tax effects, are included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (AOCI), a component of shareholder's equity. Translation adjustments, including qualifying hedge and tax effects, are reclassified to earnings upon the sale or substantial liquidation of investments in foreign operations. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average month-end exchange rates during the year. Gains and losses related to transactions in a currency other than the functional currency, including operations outside the U.S. where the functional currency is the U.S. dollar, are reported net in Credco's Consolidated Statements of Income, in interest expense or other expenses, depending on the nature of the activity.
Amounts Based on Estimates and Assumptions	'
	Amounts Based on Estimates and Assumptions
	Accounting estimates are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements. These estimates are based, in part, on management's assumptions concerning future events. Among the more significant assumptions are those that relate to reserves for Card Member losses on receivables and loans, fair value measurement and income taxes. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ.
Revenues and Expenses	'
	Discount Revenue Earned from Purchased Card Member Receivables and Loans
	Credco earns discount revenue from purchasing Card Member receivables and loans at a discount to par value. The discount is deferred and recognized as revenue over the period that the receivables are estimated to be outstanding or funded. Estimates are based on the historical average life of Card Member receivables.
	Interest Income from Affiliates
	Interest income from affiliates is earned on interest-bearing loans made by Credco to affiliates. Interest income is accrued primarily using the average daily balance method on loans and is recognized based on the outstanding loan principal amount and interest rates specified in the agreements until the outstanding loan balance is paid.
	Interest Income from Deposits
	Interest income from deposits with banks is recognized as earned, and primarily relates to the placement of cash in interest-bearing time deposits and other interest-bearing bank accounts.
	Finance Revenue
	Finance revenue is assessed using the average daily balance method for Card Member loans and is recognized based upon the loan principal amount outstanding in accordance with the terms of the applicable account agreement until the outstanding balance is paid or written off.
	Interest Expense
	Interest expense includes interest incurred primarily to fund Card Member receivables and loans, general corporate purposes, and liquidity needs, and is recognized as incurred.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and amounts due from banks, interest-bearing bank balances, and other highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less.
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). 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 years ended December 31, 2013 and 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.
Accounts Receivable And Loans and Reserves For Cardmember Losses [Abstract]	'
Card Member And Other Receivables And Loans	'
	Card Member Receivables
	Card Member receivables represent amounts due on 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 Members 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).
	Card Member receivable balances are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of reserves for losses (refer to Note 4).
	Card Member Loans
	Card Member loans represent revolving amounts due on 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 Members who elect to revolve a portion of the outstanding balance by entering into a revolving payment arrangement with American Express. 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 that issue the card (card issuers).
	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 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 and analytical 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 delinquency-based loss migration rates, loss emergence periods 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.
	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.
	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. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Credco reclassified nil, $(1) million and $(1) million, respectively, from AOCI into earnings as a component of 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 associated with cash flow hedges was reclassified from AOCI into income for the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	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.
	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.
Income Tax Policy [Abstract]	'
Income taxes	'
	Credco records a deferred income tax (benefit) provision when there are differences between assets and liabilities measured for financial reporting and for income tax return purposes. These temporary differences result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years and are measured using the tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is established when management determines that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the benefit of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	Interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits are reported in the income tax provision.
Income tax uncertainties	'
	Credco is subject to the income tax laws of the U.S., its states and municipalities and those of the foreign jurisdictions in which American Express operates. These tax laws are complex, and the manner in which they apply to the taxpayer's facts is sometimes open to interpretation. Given these inherent complexities, Credco must make judgments in assessing the likelihood that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the tax position. A tax position is recognized only when, based on management's judgment regarding the application of income tax laws, it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. The amount of benefit recognized for financial reporting purposes is based on management's best judgment of the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized on ultimate settlement with the taxing authority given the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. Credco adjusts the level of unrecognized tax benefits when there is new information available to assess the likelihood of the outcome.

Fair_Values_Tables

Fair Values (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 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 December 31:
	(Millions)		2013		2012
	Assets:
	Derivatives(a)		$	214	$	432
	Total assets			214		432
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives(a)			50		79
	Total liabilities		$	50	$	79
	Refer to Note 7 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis
Estimated fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities	'
	The following table discloses the estimated fair value for Credco's financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of December 31, 2013 and 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		$	18	$	18	$	18	$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Card Member loans, net		0.5		0.5		―		0.5
				Loans to affiliates		11.3		11.4		8.2		3.2
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or
			approximate fair value			5.4		5.4		5.4		―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
				Long-term debt	$	21.7	$	22	$	22	$	―
						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, net		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)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable And Loans Tables [Abstract]	'
Card Member receivables detail	'
	Card Member receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of:
	(Millions)				2013			2012
	U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services			$	2,490		$	4,464
	International Card Services and Global Commercial Services(a)(c)				12,044			10,898
	Card Member receivables				14,534			15,362
	Less: Reserve for losses				76			83
	Card Member receivables, net(b)(c)			$	14,458		$	15,279
	International is comprised of consumer and small business services.
	Card Member receivables modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) program were immaterial.
	Effective 2013, Credco has reclassified $254 million of credit balances included among Card Member receivables to Due to affiliates.
Card Member loans detail	'
	Card Member loans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of:
	(Millions)				2013			2012
	International Card Services			$	523		$	462
	Less: Reserve for losses				4			5
	Card Member loans, net(a)(b)			$	519		$	457
	Card Member loans modified in a TDR program were immaterial.
	Effective 2013, Credco has reclassified $7 million of credit balances included among Card Member loans to Due to affiliates.
Aging of Card Member loans and receivables	'
	The following table represents the aging of Card Member receivables and loans as of December 31, 2013 and 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			$	2,464		$	12		$	5	$	9	$	2,490
		International Card Services and Global
			Commercial Services(a)			(b)			(b)			(b)		115		12,044
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services(c)			$	514		$	4		$	2	$	3	$	523
									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 Card Services 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 Card Services 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 years ended December 31:
				2013				2012
				Net		30 Days Past			Net		30 Days Past
				Write-off		Due as a %			Write-off		Due as a %
				Rate(a)		of Total			Rate(a)		of Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services		1.01	%	1.04	%		1.23	%	0.99	%
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services		0.85	%	1.72	%		0.7	%	1.73	%
				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 Card Services and Global
		Commercial Services		0.06	%	0.95	%		0.06	%	0.83	%
	Credco's net write-off rate represents 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 net loss ratio represents 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)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 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 years ended December 31:
	(Millions)		2013		2012			2011
	Balance, January 1		$	83	$	71	$	112
	Additions:
		Provisions(a)		145		140		82
		Other credits(b)		41		54		23
	Deductions:
		Net write-offs(c)		148		147		120
		Other debits(d)		45		35		26
	Balance, December 31		$	76	$	83	$	71
	Provisions resulting from authorized transactions.
	Primarily reserve balances applicable to new groups of Card Member receivables purchased from TRS and certain of its subsidiaries and participation interests from affiliates. 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. New groups of Card Member receivables purchased from an affiliate totaled $7.7 billion, $7.5 billion and $2.7 billion for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Net write-offs include recoveries of $110 million, $107 million and $95 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 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 $9.1 billion, $5.8 billion and $3.3 billion for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 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 years ended December 31:
	(Millions)		2013		2012		2011
	Balance, January 1		$	5	$	5	$	9
	Additions:
		Provisions(a)		3		3		-2
	Deductions:
		Net write-offs(b)		4		3		2
	Balance, December 31		$	4	$	5	$	5
	Provisions resulting from authorized transactions.
	Net write-offs include recoveries of $5 million, $6 million and $7 million for years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Tables [Abstract]	'
Short-term debt	'
	Credco's short-term debt outstanding (excluding short-term debt to affiliates), defined as borrowings with original maturities of less than one year, as of December 31 were as follows:
				2013						2012
				Outstanding		Year-End Stated				Outstanding		Year-End Stated
	(Millions, except percentages)			Balance		Rate on Debt(a)				Balance		Rate on Debt(a)
	Commercial paper		$	200		0.19	%		$	―		―	%
	Bank notes payable			―		―				18		1.1
	Total		$	200		0.19	%		$	18		1.1	%
	For floating rate debt issuances, the stated interest rates are based on the floating rates in effect as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Long-term debt	'
	Credco's long-term debt outstanding, defined as debt with original maturities of one year or greater, as of December 31 was as follows:
									2013							2012
													Year-End							Year-End
											Year-End		Effective					Year-End		Effective
											Stated		Interest					Stated		Interest
	(Millions, except					Maturity			Outstanding		Rate		Rate with			Outstanding		Rate		Rate with
	percentages)					Dates			Balance	(a)	on Debt	(b)	Swaps	(b)(c)		Balance	(a)	on Debt	(b)	Swaps	(b)(c)
	Fixed Rate
		Senior Notes				2014-2018		$	14,875		3.13	%	2.03	%	$	17,163		4.2	%	2.39	%
	Floating Rate
		Senior Notes				2014-2016			2,855		1.14		―			2,203		1.59		―
	Borrowings
		under Bank
			Credit
				Facilities		2015-2016			4,012		4.18		―	%		4,672		4.87		―	%
	Unamortized
		Underwriting
			Fees						-42							-52
	Total Long-Term
		Debt						$	21,700		3.06	%			$	23,986		4.09	%
	The outstanding balances include (i) unamortized discount and premium, (ii) the impact of movements in exchange rates on foreign currency denominated debt and (iii) the impact of fair value hedge accounting on certain fixed-rate notes that have been swapped to floating rate through the use of interest rate swaps. Under fair value hedge accounting, the outstanding balances on these fixed-rate notes are adjusted to reflect the impact of changes in fair value due to changes in interest rates. Refer to Note 7 for more details on Credco's treatment of fair value hedges.
	For floating-rate debt issuances, the stated and effective interest rates are based on the floating rates in effect as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Effective interest rates are only presented when swaps are in place to hedge the underlying debt.
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations	'
	Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt obligations (based on final maturity dates) as of December 31, 2013 were as follows:
	(Millions)
	2014			$	4,420
	2015				7,010
	2016				7,293
	2017				1,500
	2018				1,340
		Total			21,563
	Unamortized Underwriting Fees				-42
	Unamortized Discount and Premium				-1
	Impacts due to Fair Value Hedge Accounting				180
	Total Long-Term Debt			$	21,700

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 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 December 31:
					Deferred Charges and						Accrued Interest and
					Other Assets						Other Liabilities
					Fair Value						Fair Value
	(Millions)				2013			2012			2013			2012
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
		Interest rate contracts
			Fair value hedges		$	181		$	406		$	2		$	―
		Foreign exchange contracts
			Net investment hedges			17			6			6			6
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments					198			412			8			6
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
		Foreign exchange contracts				16			20			42			73
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments					16			20			42			73
	Total derivatives, gross					214			432			50			79
	Cash collateral netting(a)					-167			-160			―			―
	Derivative asset and derivative liability netting(b)					-9			-7			-9			-7
	Total derivatives, net(c)				$	38		$	265		$	41		$	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 December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, none of which was sold or repledged. Such noncash collateral effectively further reduces Credco's risk exposure to $38 million and $23 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, but does not reduce the net exposure on Credco's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, Credco posted $26 million and nil as of December 31, 2013 and 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 associated with Credco's hedges of its fixed-rate long-term debt for the years ended December 31:
			Gains (losses) recognized in income
	(Millions)		Derivative contract											Hedged item								Net hedge
	Derivative		Income Statement		Amount									Income Statement		Amount						ineffectiveness
	relationship		Line Item			2013			2012			2011		Line Item			2013		2012		2011		2013		2012		2011
	Interest rate
	contracts		Other expenses		$	-224		$	-86		$	81		Other expenses		$	218	$	54	$	-70	$	-6	$	-32	$	11
Derivative instruments gain (loss) recognized in income	'
	The following table summarizes the impact on pretax earnings of derivatives not designated as hedges, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31:
				Pretax gains (losses)
							Amount
	Description (Millions)			Income Statement Line Item			2013			2012			2011
	Foreign exchange contracts			Other expenses		$	78		$	-5		$	183
	Total					$	78		$	-5		$	183

Transactions_With_Affiliates_T

Transactions With Affiliates (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Certain transactions with affiliates	'
	Other transactions with American Express and its subsidiaries as of or for the years ended December 31, were as follows:
	(Millions, except percentages)		2013				2012			2011
	Loans to affiliates	$	11,340			$	13,178		$	11,437
	Average interest rate on loans to affiliates		3.55	%			4.25	%		4.7	%
	Due from affiliates	$	3,380			$	4,176		$	5,689
	Short-term debt to affiliates	$	3,583			$	4,096		$	4,035
	Average interest rate on short-term debt to affiliates		0.16	%			0.41	%		0.27	%
	Maximum month-end level of borrowings during the year	$	6,673			$	5,995		$	9,560
	Due to affiliates	$	1,323			$	2,022		$	1,702
	Maximum month-end level of loans to affiliates during the year	$	13,507			$	13,178		$	11,437
	Interest income from affiliates	$	412			$	494		$	505
	Interest expense to affiliates	$	7			$	18		$	12
	Other, net expense from affiliates	$	-9			$	-10		$	-9
Components of loans to affiliates	'
	The components of loans to affiliates as of December 31 were as follows:
	(Millions)			2013			2012
	American Express Services Europe Limited		$	3,185		$	3,040
	Amex Bank of Canada			3,161			3,000
	American Express Australia Limited			3,119			3,791
	American Express Company			819			2,316
	American Express Co. (Mexico) S.A. de C.V.			535			516
	American Express Bank (Mexico) S.A.			415			401
	American Express International, Inc.			106			114
	Total (a)		$	11,340		$	13,178
	As of December 31, 2013, Credco had $11.3 billion of outstanding loans to affiliates, of which approximately $5.8 billion were collateralized by the underlying Card Member receivables and Card Member loans transferred with recourse and the remaining $5.5 billion were uncollateralized loans primarily to affiliated banks and American Express Company. As of December 31, 2012, Credco had $13.2 billion of outstanding loans to affiliates, of which approximately $6.5 billion were collateralized by the underlying Card Member receivables and Card Member loans transferred with recourse and the remaining $6.7 billion were uncollateralized loans primarily to affiliated banks and American Express Company.
Components of short-term debt to affiliates	'
	Components of short-term debt to affiliates as of December 31 were as follows:
	(Millions)		2013			2012
	AE Exposure Management Ltd.	$	2,541		$	2,535
	American Express Swiss Holdings		419			335
	American Express Europe LLC		261			648
	American Express Holdings (Netherlands) C.V.		188			226
	National Express Company, Inc.		123			108
	Other		51			244
	Total	$	3,583		$	4,096

Significant_Credit_Concentrati1

Significant Credit Concentrations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Credit Concentrations (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category	'
	The following table details Credco's maximum credit exposure by category, including the credit exposure associated with derivative financial instruments, as of December 31:
	(Billions)				2013			2012
	On-balance sheet:
		Individuals(a)		$	7		$	8
		Financial institutions(b)			1			1
		Loans to affiliates			11			13
		Due from affiliates			3			4
		All other(c)			8			7
	Total on-balance sheet(d)			$	30		$	33
	Individuals primarily include Card Member receivables and loans.
	Financial institutions primarily include debt obligations of banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and savings and loan associations.
	All other primarily includes Card Member receivables from other corporate institutions.
	Certain distinctions between categories require management judgment.
Card Member loans and receivables exposure	'
	The following table details Credco's Card Member receivables and loans exposure in the U.S. and outside the U.S. as of December 31:
	(Billions)			2013			2012
	U.S.		$	11		$	12
	Non-U.S.			4			4
	Total(a)(b)		$	15		$	16
	Represents Card Member loans to individuals as well as receivables from individuals and corporate institutions as discussed in footnotes (a) and (c) from the previous table.
	The remainder of Credco's on-balance sheet exposure includes cash and cash equivalents, loans to affiliates, due from affiliates and deferred charges and other assets including the credit exposure associated with derivative financial instruments. The majority of these balances are outside the U.S.

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C1

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 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 years ended December 31 were as follows:
					Net
					Unrealized			Foreign			Accumulated
					Gains (Losses)			Currency			Other
					on Cash			Translation			Comprehensive
	(Millions), net of tax(a)				Flow Hedges			Adjustments			(Loss) Income
	Balances as of December 31, 2010			$	―		$	-95		$	-95
	Net unrealized losses				-2			―			-2
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings				1			―			1
	Foreign currency translation adjustments				―			-2			-2
	Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations				―			39			39
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income				-1			37			36
	Balances as of December 31, 2011				-1			-58			-59
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings				1			―			1
	Foreign currency translation adjustments				―			135			135
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations				―			-69			-69
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income				1			66			67
	Balances as of December 31, 2012				―			8			8
	Reclassification for realized losses into earnings				―			―			―
	Foreign currency translation adjustments				―			-501			-501
	Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations				―			15			15
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss				―			-486			-486
	Balances as of December 31, 2013			$	―		$	-478		$	-478
	The following table shows the tax impact for the three years ended December 31 for the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
	(Millions)		2013			2012			2011
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	―		$	―		$	22
	Net investment hedges		9			-41			24
	Total tax impact	$	9		$	-41		$	46
Tax impact for the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	'
	The following table shows the tax impact for the three years ended December 31 for the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
	(Millions)		2013			2012			2011
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	―		$	―		$	22
	Net investment hedges		9			-41			24
	Total tax impact	$	9		$	-41		$	46

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Components of income tax expense	'
	The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31 included in Credco's Consolidated Statements of Income were as follows:
	(Millions)					2013			2012			2011
	Current income tax (benefit) expense:
		U.S. federal			$	-122		$	-84		$	-61
		U.S. state and local				-5			-10			3
		Non-U.S.				21			29			41
			Total current income tax benefit			-106			-65			-17
	Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:
		U.S. federal				―			16			-35
		Non-U.S.				10			-2			4
			Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)			10			14			-31
	Total income tax benefit				$	-96		$	-51		$	-48
Effective income tax rate	'
	A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35 percent to Credco's actual income tax rate for the years ended December 31, were as follows:
				2013			2012			2011
	U.S. statutory federal income tax rate			35	%		35	%		35	%
	Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
		State and local income taxes		-0.6			-2.6			―
		Non-U.S. subsidiaries earnings(a)		-39.2			-51.5			-48.9
		Tax Settlements(b)		-22.9			―			―
		All other		0.3			1.4			0.1
	Actual tax rate			-27.4	%		-17.7	%		-13.8	%
	Results for all years include recurring permanent tax benefits in relation to the level of pretax income. Expenses in the United States are attracting a 35 percent statutory benefit whereas foreign earnings are taxed at lower rates and are indefinitely reinvested. Credco's effective tax rate reflects the favorable impact of the tax benefit related to its ongoing funding activities outside the United States.
	The tax rate reflects favorable resolution of certain prior years' tax items.
Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities	'
	The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are reflected in the following table:
	(Millions)					2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
		Reserves not yet deducted for tax purposes			$	4		$	9
		Unremitted foreign earnings				7			13
		State income taxes				19			19
		Other				2			2
			Gross deferred tax assets			32			43
	Deferred tax liabilities:
		Other				1			3
			Gross deferred tax liabilities			1			3
	Net deferred tax assets				$	31		$	40
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits	'
	The following table presents changes in unrecognized tax benefits:
	(Millions)					2013			2012			2011
	Balance, January 1				$	757		$	737		$	528
		Increases:
			Current year tax positions			19			30			30
			Tax positions related to prior years			1			―			189
		Decreases:
			Tax positions related to prior years			-290			-3			-2
			Settlements with tax authorities			―			-2			-2
			Lapse of statute of limitations			-6			-5			-6
	Balance, December 31				$	481		$	757		$	737

Geographic_Regions_Tables

Geographic Regions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Geographic Operations Tables [Abstract]	'
Revenue and pretax income in different geographic regions	'
	The following table presents Credco's revenues and pretax income in different geographic regions:
	(Millions)			2013(a)		2012(a)		2011(a)
	Revenues
		United States	$	538	$	516	$	425
		Outside the United States		469		572		559
	Consolidated		$	1,007	$	1,088	$	984
	Pretax income
		United States	$	191	$	121	$	172
		Outside the United States		159		167		177
	Consolidated		$	350	$	288	$	349
	The data in the table above is, in part, based upon internal allocations, which necessarily involve management's judgment. The allocation methodology was updated in 2013, with corresponding changes to comparative numbers.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Table

Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quartertly Financial Data [Abstract]	'
Quarterly financial data	'
	Quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:
	(Millions)	2013								2012
	Quarters ended		31-Dec		30-Sep		30-Jun		31-Mar		31-Dec		30-Sep		30-Jun		31-Mar
	Revenues	$	222	$	246	$	260	$	279	$	264	$	286	$	285	$	253
	Pretax income		67		92		92		99		73		57		89		69
	Net income	$	78	$	91	$	166	$	111	$	73	$	71	$	105	$	90

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Textuals [Abstract]	'	'	'
Line of credit facility financial covenants combined earnings and fixed charges to fixed charges ratio required	1.25	'	'
Net foreign currency transaction gains	$91	$120	$137
Original maturities of cash and cash equivalents	'90 days or less	'	'

Fair_Value_Details

Fair Value (Details) (Level 2 [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Derivatives	$214	$432
Total assets	214	432
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Derivatives	50	79
Total liabilities	$50	$79

Fair_Value_Details_1

Fair Value (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial assets carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'	'
Card Member loans, less reserves	$519,000,000	$457,000,000	'
Loans to affiliates	11,340,000,000	13,178,000,000	11,437,000,000
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'	'
Long-term Debt	21,700,000,000	23,986,000,000	'
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'
Financial Assets:	'	'	'
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	18,000,000,000	19,800,000,000	'
Financial Liabilities:	'	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	5,400,000,000	6,500,000,000	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Financial Assets:	'	'	'
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	18,000,000,000	19,800,000,000	'
Financial assets carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'	'
Card Member loans, less reserves	0	0	'
Loans to affiliates	8,200,000,000	9,500,000,000	'
Financial Liabilities:	'	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	5,400,000,000	6,500,000,000	'
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'	'
Long-term Debt	22,000,000,000	24,500,000,000	'
Fair Value, Inputs, 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	3,200,000,000	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	18,000,000,000	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	11,400,000,000	13,200,000,000	'
Financial Liabilities:	'	'	'
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	5,400,000,000	6,500,000,000	'
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value [Abstract]	'	'	'
Long-term Debt	$22,000,000,000	$24,500,000,000	'

Fair_Value_Details_Textuals

Fair Value (Details Textuals) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 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 $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	$14,534	$15,362	'	'
Less: Reserve for losses	76	83	71	112
Card Member receivables, net	14,458	15,279	'	'
US Consumer and Small Business Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	2,490	4,464	'	'
International Card Services and Global Commercial Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Card Member receivables	$12,044	$10,898	'	'

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo3

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Card Member loans	'	'	'	'
Less: Reserve for losses	$4	$5	$5	$9
Card Member loans, net	519	457	'	'
International Card Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Card Member loans	'	'	'	'
Card Member loans	$523	$462	'	'

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo4

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 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	$2,464	$4,420
30 to 59 days past due	12	15
60 to 89 days past due	5	9
90+ days past due	9	20
Total aging	2,490	4,464
International Card Services and Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Financing receivable recorded investment aging	'	'
90+ days past due	115	90
Total aging	12,044	10,898
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'
Financing receivable recorded investment aging	'	'
Current	514	454
30 to 59 days past due	4	3
60 to 89 days past due	2	2
90+ days past due	3	3
Total aging	$523	$462

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo5

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
US Consumer and Small Business Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Credit Quality Indicator for Receivables and Loans	'	'
Net Write-off Rate	1.01%	1.23%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.04%	0.99%
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'
Credit Quality Indicator for Receivables and Loans	'	'
Net Write-off Rate	0.85%	0.70%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.72%	1.73%
International Card Services and Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'
Credit Quality Indicator for Receivables and Loans	'	'
Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume	0.06%	0.06%
90 Days Past Billing as a % of Receivables	0.95%	0.83%

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo6

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net volume of Card Member receivables purchased	$210,000,000,000	$200,000,000,000	$168,000,000,000
Net volume of Card Member loans purchased	4,000,000,000	3,000,000,000	3,000,000,000
Card Member Receivables [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Card Member credit balance	254,000,000	'	'
Card Member Loans [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Card Member credit balance	'	7,000,000	'
RFC V [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Participation Interests In Card Member Receivables Purchased	0	1,700,000,000	'
RFC VIII [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Participation Interests In Card Member Receivables Purchased	$2,500,000,000	$2,900,000,000	'

Reserves_Details

Reserves (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes in the Card Member receivable reserve for losses	'	'	'
Balance, January 1	$83	$71	$112
Additions:	'	'	'
Provisions	145	140	82
Other credits	41	54	23
Deductions:	'	'	'
Net write-offs	148	147	120
Other debits	45	35	26
Balance, December 31	$76	$83	$71

Reserves_Details_1

Reserves (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses	'	'	'
Balance, January 1	$5	$5	$9
Additions:	'	'	'
Provisions	3	3	-2
Deductions:	'	'	'
Net write-offs	4	3	2
Balance, December 31	$4	$5	$5

Reserves_Details_Textuals

Reserves (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reserves For Losses (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Participation interest in Card Member receivables purchased from an affiliate	$7,700,000,000	$7,500,000,000	$2,700,000,000
Recoveries, Card Member receivables	110,000,000	107,000,000	95,000,000
Participation interest in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate	9,100,000,000	5,800,000,000	3,300,000,000
Recoveries, Card Member loans	$5,000,000	$6,000,000	$7,000,000

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding Balance	$200	$18
Short-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.19%	1.10%
Commercial Paper [Member] | Short-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding Balance	200	0
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.19%	0.00%
Bank Notes Payable [Member] | Short-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding Balance	$0	$18
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	0.00%	1.10%

Debt_Details_1

Debt (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	$21,700	$23,986
Unamortized Underwriting Fees	-42	-52
Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	3.06%	4.09%
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	'2014	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	'2018	'
Long-term Debt	14,875	17,163
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	3.13%	4.20%
Year End Effective Interest Rate With Swaps	2.03%	2.39%
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	'2014	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	'2016	'
Long-term Debt	2,855	2,203
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	1.14%	1.59%
Year End Effective Interest Rate With Swaps	0.00%	0.00%
Borrowings under Bank Credit Facilities [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	'2015	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	'2016	'
Long-term Debt	$4,012	$4,672
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt	4.18%	4.87%
Year End Effective Interest Rate With Swaps	0.00%	0.00%

Debt_Details_2

Debt (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations	'	'
2014	$4,420	'
2015	7,010	'
2016	7,293	'
2017	1,500	'
2018	1,340	'
Total	21,563	'
Unamortized Underwriting Fees	-42	-52
Unamortized discount and premium	-1	'
Impacts due to fair value hedge accounting	180	'
Long-term debt	$21,700	$23,986

Debt_Details_Textuals

Debt (Details Textuals) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

American Express Company [Member]

American Express Company [Member]

American Express Company [Member]

American Express Company [Member]

Short-term Debt [Member]

Short-term Debt [Member]

Short-term Debt [Member]

Long-term Debt [Member]

Long-term Debt [Member]

Long-term Debt [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Interest Paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,000,000

$1,000,000

$1,000,000

$500,000,000

$700,000,000

$700,000,000

Total bank lines of credit of the company

'

'

'

'

7,000,000,000

7,700,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unutilized total credit lines

'

'

'

'

3,000,000,000

3,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility expiring amount

'

'

2,200,000,000

4,800,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fees to maintain credit lines

$37,700,000

$37,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility financial covenants combined earnings and fixed charges to fixed charges ratio required

1.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility financial covenants combined earnings and fixed charges to fixed charges ratio actual

1.59

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restrictions_as_to_Dividends_a1

Restrictions as to Dividends and Limitations on Indebtedness (Details Textuals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Restrictions (Textuals) [Abstract]	'
Minimum consolidated net worth	$50
Line of credit facility financial covenants combined earnings and fixed charges to fixed charges ratio required	1.25

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivative assets	$214	$432
Cash collateral netting	-167	-160
Derivative asset and liability netting	-9	-7
Total derivatives assets,net	38	265
Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivative assets	198	412
Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivative assets	16	20
Other Assets [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivative assets	16	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 derivative assets	181	406
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 derivative assets	17	6
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivative liability	50	79
Cash collateral netting	0	0
Derivative asset and liability netting	-9	-7
Total derivatives liabilities, net	41	72
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivative liability	8	6
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total fair value of derivative liability	42	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 derivative liability	42	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 derivative liability	2	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 derivative liability	$6	$6

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi3

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 1) (Other Expense [Member], Interest Rate Contract [Member], Fair Value Hedging [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative contract	($224)	($86)	$81
Hedged item	218	54	-70
Net hedge ineffectiveness	($6)	($32)	$11

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi4

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 2) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Pretax gains (losses)	$78	($5)	$183
Other Expense [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Pretax gains (losses)	$78	($5)	$183

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi5

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivatives And Hedging Activities Textuals [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net reduction in interest expense	$235	$288	$257
Net pretax losses on derivatives reclassified from AOCI into earnings	0	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Margin on interest rate swap not netted	26	0	'
Interest Expense [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amount reclassified from AOCI into income	0	-1	-1
Other Expense [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net hedge ineffectiveness	0	'	'
None Sold or Repledged [Member]	'	'	'
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Securities received as collateral	0	242	'
Risk Exposure Low [Member]	'	'	'
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total derivatives assets,net	38	23	'
Individually Significant Counterparties [Member]	'	'	'
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total derivatives assets,net	0	0	'
Fair Value Hedging [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notional amount of long-term debt	12,400	14,400	'
Net Investment Hedging [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effection portion of gain (loss) on hedges	15	-69	39
Ineffectiveness reclassified from AOCI into income	0	0	0
Credit Valuation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notional amount of long-term debt	0	0	'
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notional amount of long-term debt	$0	$0	'

Variable_Interest_Entity_Detai

Variable Interest Entity (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$29,926	$33,795
Total liabilities	27,239	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	2,200	2,400
Liabilities eliminated in consolidation	$0	$76

Transactions_with_Affiliates_D

Transactions with Affiliates (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Parties Details [Abstract]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	$11,340,000,000	$13,178,000,000	$11,437,000,000
Average interest rate on loans to affiliates	3.55%	4.25%	4.70%
Due from affiliates	3,380,000,000	4,176,000,000	5,689,000,000
Short-term debt to affiliates	3,583,000,000	4,096,000,000	4,035,000,000
Average interest rate on short-term debt to affiliates	0.16%	0.41%	0.27%
Maximum month-end level of borrowings during the year	6,673,000,000	5,995,000,000	9,560,000,000
Due to affiliates	1,323,000,000	2,022,000,000	1,702,000,000
Maximum month-end level of loans to affiliates during the year	13,507,000,000	13,178,000,000	11,437,000,000
Interest income from affiliates	412,000,000	494,000,000	505,000,000
Interest expense to affiliates	7,000,000	18,000,000	12,000,000
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other, net	-88,000,000	-92,000,000	-152,000,000
Related Party [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other, net	($9,000,000)	($10,000,000)	($9,000,000)

Transactions_with_Affiliates_D1

Transactions with Affiliates (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	$11,340,000,000	$13,178,000,000	$11,437,000,000
American Express Services Europe Limited [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	3,185,000,000	3,040,000,000	'
Amex Bank of Canada [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	3,161,000,000	3,000,000,000	'
American Express Australia Limited [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	3,119,000,000	3,791,000,000	'
American Express Company [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	819,000,000	2,316,000,000	'
American Express Co. (Mexico) S.A. de C.V. [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	535,000,000	516,000,000	'
American Express Bank (Mexico) S.A. [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	415,000,000	401,000,000	'
American Express International, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	$106,000,000	$114,000,000	'

Transactions_with_Affiliates_D2

Transactions with Affiliates (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Short-term debt to affiliates	$3,583	$4,096	$4,035
AE Exposure Management Ltd. [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Short-term debt to affiliates	2,541	2,535	'
American Express Swiss Holdings [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Short-term debt to affiliates	419	335	'
American Express Europe LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Short-term debt to affiliates	261	648	'
American Express Holdings (Netherlands) C.V. [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Short-term debt to affiliates	188	226	'
National Express Company, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Short-term debt to affiliates	123	108	'
Other [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Short-term debt to affiliates	$51	$244	'

Transactions_with_Affiliates_D3

Transactions with Affiliates (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Parties Textuals [Abstract]	'	'	'
Card Member receivables and loans purchased without recourse from an affiliate	$223,000,000,000	$210,000,000,000	$174,000,000,000
Participation interest in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate	9,100,000,000	5,800,000,000	3,300,000,000
Discount Revenue Earned From Purchased Cardmember Receivables And Loans	547,000,000	543,000,000	435,000,000
Uncharged Servicing Fees to Affiliates	138,000,000	139,000,000	127,000,000
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	11,340,000,000	13,178,000,000	11,437,000,000
Reserves for Losses [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	0	0	'
RFC V [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased without recourse	0	1,700,000,000	'
RFC VIII [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased without recourse	2,500,000,000	2,900,000,000	'
30 Days or More Past Due [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	0	0	'
Collateralized [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	5,800,000,000	6,500,000,000	'
Uncollateralized [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loans to affiliates	$5,500,000,000	$6,700,000,000	'

Significant_Credit_Concentrati2

Significant Credit Concentrations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category	'	'
On-balance sheet	$30	$33
Individuals [Member]	'	'
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category	'	'
On-balance sheet	7	8
Financial Institutions [Member]	'	'
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category	'	'
On-balance sheet	1	1
Loans to Affiliates [Member]	'	'
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category	'	'
On-balance sheet	11	13
Due from Affiliates [Member]	'	'
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category	'	'
On-balance sheet	3	4
Other Concentration [Member]	'	'
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category	'	'
On-balance sheet	$8	$7

Significant_Credit_Concentrati3

Significant Credit Concentrations (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Card Member receivables and loans exposure	'	'
On-balance sheet, total	$15	$16
U.S. [Member]	'	'
Card Member receivables and loans exposure	'	'
On-balance sheet, total	11	12
Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Card Member receivables and loans exposure	'	'
On-balance sheet, total	$4	$4

Recovered_Sheet1

Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes in other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Balance, December 31	($478)	$8	'
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'
Changes in other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Balance, January 1	0	-1	0
Net unrealized losses	'	'	-2
Reclassification for realized losses into earnings	0	1	1
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0	0
Net gains (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations	0	0	0
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	0	1	-1
Balance, December 31	0	0	-1
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'
Changes in other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Balance, January 1	8	-58	-95
Net unrealized losses	'	'	0
Reclassification for realized losses into earnings	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-501	135	-2
Net gains (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations	15	-69	39
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-486	66	37
Balance, December 31	-478	8	-58
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	'	'	'
Changes in other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Balance, January 1	8	-59	-95
Net unrealized losses	'	'	-2
Reclassification for realized losses into earnings	0	1	1
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-501	135	-2
Net gains (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations	15	-69	39
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-486	67	36
Balance, December 31	($478)	$8	($59)

Recovered_Sheet2

Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$0	$0	$22
Net investment hedges	9	-41	24
Total tax impact	$9	($41)	$46

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C2

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'
Amount of gain loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to income	$0	$0

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current income tax (benefit) expense:	'	'	'
U.S. federal	($122)	($84)	($61)
U.S. state and local	-5	-10	3
Non-U.S.	21	29	41
Total current income tax benefit	-106	-65	-17
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:	'	'	'
U.S. federal	0	16	-35
Non-U.S.	10	-2	4
Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)	10	14	-31
Total income tax benefit	($96)	($51)	($48)

Income_Taxes_Details_1

Income Taxes (Details 1)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Effective tax rate reconciliation	'	'	'
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:	'	'	'
State and local income taxes	-0.60%	-2.60%	0.00%
Non-U.S. subsidiaries earnings	-39.20%	-51.50%	-48.90%
Tax Settlements	-22.90%	0.00%	0.00%
All other	0.30%	1.40%	0.10%
Actual tax rate	-27.40%	-17.70%	-13.80%

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Reserves not yet deducted for tax purposes	$4	$9
Unremitted foreign earnings	7	13
State income taxes	19	19
Other	2	2
Gross deferred tax assets	32	43
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Other	1	3
Gross deferred tax liabilities	1	3
Net deferred tax assets	$31	$40

Income_Taxes_Details_3

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance, January 1	$757	$737	$528
Increases:	'	'	'
Current year tax positions	19	30	30
Tax positions related to prior years	1	0	189
Decreases:	'	'	'
Tax positions related to prior years	-290	-3	-2
Settlements with tax authorities	0	-2	-2
Lapse of statute of limitations	-6	-5	-6
Balance, December 31	$481	$757	$737

Income_Tax_Details_Textuals

Income Tax (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	'
Accumulated earnings intended to be permanently reinvested outside the U.S.	$4,800,000,000	'	'	'
Aggregate of federal taxes	1,700,000,000	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	481,000,000	757,000,000	737,000,000	528,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that affect effective tax rate	23,000,000	102,000,000	106,000,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits as a result of potential resolutions of prior years' tax	446,000,000	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, amounts recorded to equity	444,000,000	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits impact not possible to quantify	2,000,000	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits income tax penalties and interest expense	-7,000,000	-3,000,000	4,000,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits income tax penalties and interest accrued	31,000,000	32,000,000	'	'
Current federal taxes payable/receivable	58,000,000	140,000,000	'	'
Income tax paid/refund net	$101,000,000	$104,000,000	'	'
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	'	'	'

Geographic_Regions_Details

Geographic Regions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Revenues And Pretax Income Loss By Geographic Location [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$222	$246	$260	$279	$264	$286	$285	$253	$1,007	$1,088	$984
Pretax income	67	92	92	99	73	57	89	69	350	288	349
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Revenues And Pretax Income Loss By Geographic Location [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	538	516	425
Pretax income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	191	121	172
Outside the United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Revenues And Pretax Income Loss By Geographic Location [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	469	572	559
Pretax income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$159	$167	$177

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Detai

Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure of quarterly financial data	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$222	$246	$260	$279	$264	$286	$285	$253	$1,007	$1,088	$984
Pretax income	67	92	92	99	73	57	89	69	350	288	349
Net income	$78	$91	$166	$111	$73	$71	$105	$90	$446	$339	$397