American Express Credit 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	8-May-15
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	4969
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,504,938

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues
Discount revenue earned from purchased Card Member receivables and loans	$109	$137
Interest income from affiliates and other	79	91
Finance revenue	7	13
Total revenues	195	241
Expenses
Provisions for losses	40	61
Interest expense	100	125
Interest expense to affiliates	2	2
Other, net	-17	-22
Total expenses	125	166
Pretax income	70	75
Income tax provision (benefit)	2	-3
Net income	68	78
Retained earnings at beginning of period	3,015	3,004
Dividends	-36	-78
Retained earnings at end of period	$3,047	$3,004

Statement_of_Comprehensive_Inc

Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$68	$78
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-125	-25
Other comprehensive loss	-125	-25
Comprehensive (loss) income	($57)	$53

Statement_of_Comprehensive_Inc1

Statement of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$38	($45)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$100	$74
Card Member receivables, less reserves	18,401	14,413
Card Member loans, less reserves	383	398
Loans to affiliates and other	11,370	15,303
Due from affiliates	1,631	2,206
Other assets	330	446
Total assets	32,215	32,840
Liabilities
Short-term debt	0	769
Short-term debt to affiliates	4,280	4,334
Long-term debt	24,119	24,282
Total debt	28,399	29,385
Due to affiliates	1,385	888
Accrued interest and other liabilities	135	178
Total liabilities	29,919	30,451
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	3,047	3,015
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-912	-787
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	-912	-787
Total shareholder's equity	2,296	2,389
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	$32,215	$32,840

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Card Member receivables, reserves	$115	$94
Card Member loans, reserves	4	3
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:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	$130	$92

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$68	$78
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provisions for losses	40	61
Amortization of underwriting expense	6	5
Deferred taxes	-8	-8
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Interest, taxes and other amounts due to/from affiliates	-106	41
Other operating assets and liabilities	401	-156
Net cash provided by operating activities	401	21
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net increase in Card Member receivables and loans	-4,186	-3,062
Net decrease in loans to affiliates and other	3,490	969
Net decrease (increase) in due from affiliates	1,186	-872
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	490	-2,965
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net decrease in short-term debt	-769	-200
Net (decrease) increase in short-term debt to affiliates	-58	974
Issuance of long-term debt	0	2,240
Dividends paid	-36	-78
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-863	2,936
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	-2	1
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	26	-7
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	74	86
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$100	$79

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation
	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 United States and in certain countries outside the United States. 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 Card Member receivables and loans Credco makes from, and the interest rates on the loans Credco provides to, TRS and other American Express subsidiaries. Each monthly period, the discount and interest rates are determined to generate income for Credco that is sufficient to maintain its minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The revenue earned by Credco from purchasing Card Member receivables and loans at a discount is reported as discount revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings.
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements in Credco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Form 10-K). If not materially different, certain footnote disclosures included in the Form 10-K have been omitted from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
	The interim consolidated financial information in this report has not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim period consolidated financial information, have been made. Results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ.
	Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on Credco’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue Recognition (Topic 606): Revenue from Contracts with Customers was issued on May 28, 2014. The guidance establishes the principles to apply to determine the amount and timing of revenue recognition, specifying the accounting for certain costs related to revenue, and requiring additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and related cash flows. The guidance supersedes most of the current revenue recognition requirements, and as currently written will be effective January 1, 2017; however, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an exposure draft that proposes to defer the effective date to January 1, 2018 and is open for comments. Credco continues to evaluate the impact this guidance, including the method of implementation, will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows, among other items.

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo

Card Member Receivables and Loans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Card Member Receivables and Loans [Abstract]
Card Member Receivables and Loans	2. Card Member Receivables and Loans
	American Express’ charge and lending payment card products result in the generation of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans, respectively.
	The net volume of Card Member receivables purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $53 billion and $55 billion, respectively. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Credco Receivables Corporation (CRC) owned approximately $4.6 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively, of participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased without recourse from Receivables Financing Corporation VIII LLC (RFC VIII).
	Card Member receivables as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of:
	(Millions)			2015			2014
	U.S. Card Services		$	4,636		$	2,755
	International Card Services (a)(b)			2,026			1,316
	Global Commercial Services (b)			11,854			10,436
	Card Member receivables (c)			18,516			14,507
	Less: Reserve for losses			115			94
	Card Member receivables, net (d)		$	18,401		$	14,413
	International is comprised of consumer and small business services.
	In the first quarter of 2015, Credco restructured its Australian and New Zealand funding, resulting in an increase in Card Member receivables and related reserves with a corresponding decline in loans to affiliates.
	Net of deferred discount revenue totaling $28 million and $16 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Card Member receivables modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) program were immaterial.
	The net volume of Card Member loans purchased during each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1.0 billion.
	Card Member loans as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of:
	(Millions)			2015			2014
	International Card Services		$	387		$	401
	Less: Reserve for losses			4			3
	Card Member loans, net (a)		$	383		$	398
	Card Member loans modified in a TDR program were immaterial.
	Card Member Receivables and Loans Aging
	Generally, a Card Member account is considered past due if payment is not received within 30 days after the billing statement date. The following table presents the aging of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
							30-59			60-89
							Days			Days			90+ Days
	2015 (Millions)			Current			Past Due			Past Due			Past Due			Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Card Services	$	4,591		$	20		$	10		$	15		$	4,636
		International Card Services		1,998			11			5			12			2,026
		Global Commercial Services (a)		(b)			(b)			(b)			84			11,854
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services	$	384		$	1		$	1		$	1		$	387
							30-59			60-89
							Days			Days			90+ Days
	2014 (Millions)			Current			Past Due			Past Due			Past Due			Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Card Services	$	2,729		$	12		$	5		$	9		$	2,755
		International Card Services		1296			8			4			8			1,316
		Global Commercial Services (a)		(b)			(b)			(b)			89			10,436
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services	$	399		$	1		$	―		$	1		$	401
	For Card Member receivables in Global Commercial Services (GCS), 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 collection procedures are initiated on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member receivable balance is classified as 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes.
	Delinquency data for periods other than 90 days past billing is not available due to system constraints. Therefore, such data has not been utilized for risk management purposes. The balances that are current to 89 days past due can be derived as the difference between the Total and the 90+ Days Past Due balances.
	Credit Quality Indicators for Card Member Receivables and Loans
	The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the three months ended March 31:
				2015						2014
							30 Days						30 Days
				Net			Past Due			Net			Past Due
				Write-off			as a % of			Write-off			as a % of
				Rate	(a)		Total			Rate	(a)		Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Card Services		1.17	%		0.97	%		1.12	%		1.19	%
		International Card Services		1.37	%		1.38	%		2.2	%		1.57	%
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services		1.03	%		0.52	%		0.78	%		1.6	%
				2015						2014
				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:
		Global Commercial Services		0.08	%		0.71	%		0.08	%		0.74	%
Represents the amount of Card Member receivables or Card Member loans owned by Credco that are written off, net of recoveries, expressed as a percentage of the average Card Member receivables or Card Member loans balances in each of the periods indicated.
Represents the amount of Card Member receivables owned by Credco that are written off, net of recoveries, expressed as a percentage of the volume of Card Member receivables purchased by Credco in each of the periods indicated.

Reserves_for_Losses

Reserves for Losses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reserves for Losses [Abstract]
Reserves for Losses	3. 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 receivables and loans, as of the balance sheet date. Management’s evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments.
	Changes in Card Member Receivables Reserve for Losses
	The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2015		2014
	Balance, January 1		$	94	$	76
		Provisions		38		59
		Other (a)		25		15
		Net write-offs (b)		-42		-48
	Balance, March 31 (c)		$	115	$	102
	Primarily reserve balances applicable to new groups of Card Member receivables purchased from TRS and certain of its subsidiaries and participation interests from affiliates. New groups of Card Member receivables purchased totaled $4.4 billion and $3.4 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Net of recoveries of $26 million and $24 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	In the first quarter of 2015, Credco restructured its Australian and New Zealand funding, resulting in an increase in Card Member receivables and related reserves with a corresponding decline in loans to affiliates.
	Changes in Card Member Loans Reserve for Losses
	The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2015		2014
	Balance, January 1		$	3	$	4
		Provisions		2		2
		Net write-offs(a)		-1		-1
	Balance, March 31		$	4	$	5
	Net of recoveries of $0.3 million and $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	4. Derivatives and Hedging Activities
	Credco uses derivative financial instruments (derivatives) to manage exposures to various market risks. These instruments derive their value from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including interest rate and foreign exchange rates and are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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.
	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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Credco does not have derivative positions that warrant credit valuation adjustments.
	The following table summarizes the total fair value, excluding interest accruals, of derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
				Other Assets				Accrued Interest and Other Liabilities
				Fair Value				Fair Value
	(Millions)			2015		2014		2015			2014
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
		Interest rate contracts
			Fair value hedges	$	134	$	90	$	-		$	4
		Foreign exchange contracts
			Net investment hedges		100		186		16			―
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments				234		276		16			4
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
		Foreign exchange contracts			54		73		40			49
	Total derivatives, gross				288		349		56			53
	Less: Cash collateral netting (a)				-114		-63		―			―
	Derivative asset and derivative liability netting (b)				-47		-50		-47			-50
	Total derivatives, net (c)			$	127	$	236	$	9		$	3
	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 non-cash collateral from a counterparty in the form of security interests in U.S. Treasury securities with a fair value of $18 million and $40 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, none of which was sold or repledged. Such non-cash collateral economically reduced Credco’s risk exposure to $109 million and $196 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, but did not reduce the net exposure on Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, Credco posted $85 million and $91 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are recorded within Other assets on Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not netted against the derivative balances.
	Represents the amount of netting of derivative assets and derivative liabilities executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.
	Credco has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and derivative liabilities are presented within Other assets and Accrued interest and Other liabilities on Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	A majority of Credco’s derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are subject to master netting agreements with its derivative counterparties. In addition, Credco has no derivative amounts subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that are not offset on Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Fair Value Hedges
	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 debt obligations to floating-rate obligations at the time of issuance. As of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Credco hedged $14.7 billion of its fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt using interest rate swaps.
	The following table summarizes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings associated with Credco’s fair value hedges for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		Gains (losses) recognized in income
			Derivative contract					Hedged item							Net hedge
				Amount						Amount					ineffectiveness
	Derivative Relationship		Income Statement Line Item	2015		2014		Income Statement Line Item		2015			2014		2015		2014
	Interest rate contracts		Other expenses	$	48	$	-36	Other expenses		$	-44		$	37	$	4	$	1
	Credco also recognized a net reduction in interest expense on long-term debt of $42 million and $45 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, primarily related to the net settlements (interest accruals) on Credco’s interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges.
	Net Investment Hedges
	The effective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges, net of taxes, recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss as part of the cumulative translation adjustment, was $63 million and $(76) million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, with any ineffective portion recognized in Other expenses during the period of change. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 no ineffectiveness was recognized in either of these two periods.
	The following table summarizes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income and retained earnings associated with Credco’s derivatives not designated as hedges for the three months ended March 31:
			Pretax gains (losses)
				Amount
	Description (Millions)		Income Statement Line Item	2015		2014
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other expenses	$	-13	$	121
	Total			$	-13	$	121

Fair_Values

Fair Values	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Values	5. Fair Values
	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 of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	(Millions)					2015			2014
	Assets:
	Derivatives (a)				$	288		$	349
	Total assets					288			349
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives (a)					56			53
	Total liabilities				$	56		$	53
	Refer to Note 4 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis.
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of Credco’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates based upon the market conditions and perceived risks as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and require management judgment. These figures may not be indicative of future fair values, nor can the fair value of Credco be reliably estimated by aggregating the amounts presented.
						Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2015 (Billions)					Value			Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value			$	20.3		$	20.3	$	0.1	(a)	$	20.2	$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Card Member loans, net			0.4			0.4		―			―		0.4
				Loans to affiliates and others			11.4			11.3		―			8.4		2.9
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal
			or approximate fair value				5.7			5.7		―			5.7		―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
				Long-term debt		$	24.1		$	24.3	$	―		$	24.3	$	―
						Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2014 (Billions)					Value			Total		Level 2			Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value			$	16.8		$	16.8	$	16.8		$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Card Member loans, net			0.4			0.4		―			0.4
				Loans to affiliates and others			15.3			15.2		12.3			2.9
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal
			or approximate fair value				6			6		6			―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
				Long-term debt		$	24.3		$	24.5	$	24.5		$	―
	(a) Reflects cash and due from banks.
	Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and during the year ended December 31, 2014, Credco did not have any assets that were measured at fair value due to impairment on a nonrecurring basis.

Variable_Interest_Entity

Variable Interest Entity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entity [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity	6. Variable Interest Entity
	Credco has established a Variable Interest Entity (VIE), American Express Canada Credit Corporation (AECCC), used primarily to loan funds to affiliates, through the issuance of notes in Canada under a medium-term note program. All notes issued under this program are fully guaranteed by Credco. 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $1.9 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, the majority of which were eliminated in consolidation. Total liabilities as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $1.9 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $904 million and $969 million, respectively, of liabilities were eliminated in consolidation. The assets of the VIE are not used solely to settle the obligations of the VIE. The note holders of the VIE have recourse to Credco.

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	7. Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 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 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
			Foreign		Accumulated
			Currency		Other
			Translation		Comprehensive
	2015 (Millions), net of tax		Adjustments		Loss
	Balances as of December 31, 2014	$	-787	$	-787
	Net translation loss of investments in foreign operations		-188		-188
	Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		63		63
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss		-125		-125
	Balances as of March 31, 2015	$	-912	$	-912
			Foreign		Accumulated
			Currency		Other
			Translation		Comprehensive
	2014 (Millions), net of tax		Adjustments		Loss
	Balances as of December 31, 2013	$	-478	$	-478
	Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations		51		51
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		-76		-76
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss		-25		-25
	Balances as of March 31, 2014	$	-503	$	-503
	No amounts were reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	8. Income Taxes
	The results of operations of Credco are included in the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return of American Express. Under an agreement with American Express, provision for income taxes is recognized on a separate company basis. If benefits for net operating losses, future tax deductions and foreign tax credits cannot be recognized on a separate company basis, such benefits are then recognized based upon a share, derived by formula, of those deductions and credits that are recognizable on an American Express consolidated reporting basis.
	American Express is under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax authorities in other countries and states in which American Express has significant business operations. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction. The IRS has completed its field examination of American Express’ federal tax returns for years through 2007; however, refund claims for those years continue to be reviewed by the IRS. In addition, American Express is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2008 through 2011.
	Credco believes it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next 12 months by as much as $298 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 $298 million of unrecognized tax benefits, approximately $296 million relates to amounts that, if recognized, would be recorded to shareholder’s equity and would not impact Credco’s results of operations or the effective tax rate.
	The effective tax rates were 2.9 percent and (4.0) percent for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014, respectively. The tax rate in each of the periods reflects the geographic mix of expenses in the United States attracting a 35 percent statutory benefit and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates, which are indefinitely reinvested. In addition, the effective tax rates for each of the periods reflect the impact of certain prior years’ tax items.
	The tax rates in both periods reflect the favorable impact of the tax benefit related to Credco’s ongoing funding activities outside the United States. Credco’s provision for income taxes for interim financial periods is not based on an estimated annual effective rate due to volatility in certain components of revenues and expenses that prevents Credco from projecting a reliable estimate of full year pretax income. A discrete calculation of the provision for income taxes is calculated for each interim period.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounts Receivable And Loans and Reserves For Cardmember Losses [Abstract]
Card Member And Other Receivables And Loans	American Express’ charge and lending payment card products result in the generation of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans, respectively.
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 receivables and loans, as of the balance sheet date. Management’s evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments.
Derivatives And Hedging Activities Policy [Abstract]
Derivatives	Credco uses derivative financial instruments (derivatives) to manage exposures to various market risks. These instruments derive their value from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including interest rate and foreign exchange rates and are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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.

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo1

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounts Receivable And Loans Tables [Abstract]
Card Member receivables detail	Card Member receivables as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of:
	(Millions)			2015			2014
	U.S. Card Services		$	4,636		$	2,755
	International Card Services (a)(b)			2,026			1,316
	Global Commercial Services (b)			11,854			10,436
	Card Member receivables (c)			18,516			14,507
	Less: Reserve for losses			115			94
	Card Member receivables, net (d)		$	18,401		$	14,413
	International is comprised of consumer and small business services.
	In the first quarter of 2015, Credco restructured its Australian and New Zealand funding, resulting in an increase in Card Member receivables and related reserves with a corresponding decline in loans to affiliates.
	Net of deferred discount revenue totaling $28 million and $16 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Card Member receivables modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) program were immaterial.
Card Member loans detail	Card Member loans as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of:
	(Millions)			2015			2014
	International Card Services		$	387		$	401
	Less: Reserve for losses			4			3
	Card Member loans, net (a)		$	383		$	398
	Card Member loans modified in a TDR program were immaterial.
Aging of Card Member loans and receivables	The following table presents the aging of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
							30-59			60-89
							Days			Days			90+ Days
	2015 (Millions)			Current			Past Due			Past Due			Past Due			Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Card Services	$	4,591		$	20		$	10		$	15		$	4,636
		International Card Services		1,998			11			5			12			2,026
		Global Commercial Services (a)		(b)			(b)			(b)			84			11,854
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services	$	384		$	1		$	1		$	1		$	387
							30-59			60-89
							Days			Days			90+ Days
	2014 (Millions)			Current			Past Due			Past Due			Past Due			Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Card Services	$	2,729		$	12		$	5		$	9		$	2,755
		International Card Services		1296			8			4			8			1,316
		Global Commercial Services (a)		(b)			(b)			(b)			89			10,436
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services	$	399		$	1		$	―		$	1		$	401
	For Card Member receivables in Global Commercial Services (GCS), 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 collection procedures are initiated on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member receivable balance is classified as 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes.
	Delinquency data for periods other than 90 days past billing is not available due to system constraints. Therefore, such data has not been utilized for risk management purposes. The balances that are current to 89 days past due can be derived as the difference between the Total and the 90+ Days Past Due balances.
Credit quality indicators for loans and receivables	The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the three months ended March 31:
				2015						2014
							30 Days						30 Days
				Net			Past Due			Net			Past Due
				Write-off			as a % of			Write-off			as a % of
				Rate	(a)		Total			Rate	(a)		Total
	Card Member Receivables:
		U.S. Card Services		1.17	%		0.97	%		1.12	%		1.19	%
		International Card Services		1.37	%		1.38	%		2.2	%		1.57	%
	Card Member Loans:
		International Card Services		1.03	%		0.52	%		0.78	%		1.6	%
				2015						2014
				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:
		Global Commercial Services		0.08	%		0.71	%		0.08	%		0.74	%
	Represents the amount of Card Member receivables or Card Member loans owned by Credco that are written off, net of recoveries, expressed as a percentage of the average Card Member receivables or Card Member loans balances in each of the periods indicated.
	Represents the amount of Card Member receivables owned by Credco that are written off, net of recoveries, expressed as a percentage of the volume of Card Member receivables purchased by Credco in each of the periods indicated.

Reserves_for_Losses_Tables

Reserves for Losses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reserves For Losses Tables [Abstract]
Changes in the Card Member receivable reserve for losses	The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2015		2014
	Balance, January 1		$	94	$	76
		Provisions		38		59
		Other (a)		25		15
		Net write-offs (b)		-42		-48
	Balance, March 31 (c)		$	115	$	102
	Primarily reserve balances applicable to new groups of Card Member receivables purchased from TRS and certain of its subsidiaries and participation interests from affiliates. New groups of Card Member receivables purchased totaled $4.4 billion and $3.4 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Net of recoveries of $26 million and $24 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	In the first quarter of 2015, Credco restructured its Australian and New Zealand funding, resulting in an increase in Card Member receivables and related reserves with a corresponding decline in loans to affiliates.
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses	The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		2015		2014
	Balance, January 1		$	3	$	4
		Provisions		2		2
		Net write-offs(a)		-1		-1
	Balance, March 31		$	4	$	5
	Net of recoveries of $0.3 million and $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivatives And Hedging Activities Tables [Abstract]
Schedule of derivative instruments in statement of financial position, fair value	The following table summarizes the total fair value, excluding interest accruals, of derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
				Other Assets				Accrued Interest and Other Liabilities
				Fair Value				Fair Value
	(Millions)			2015		2014		2015			2014
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
		Interest rate contracts
			Fair value hedges	$	134	$	90	$	-		$	4
		Foreign exchange contracts
			Net investment hedges		100		186		16			―
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments				234		276		16			4
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
		Foreign exchange contracts			54		73		40			49
	Total derivatives, gross				288		349		56			53
	Less: Cash collateral netting (a)				-114		-63		―			―
	Derivative asset and derivative liability netting (b)				-47		-50		-47			-50
	Total derivatives, net (c)			$	127	$	236	$	9		$	3
	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 non-cash collateral from a counterparty in the form of security interests in U.S. Treasury securities with a fair value of $18 million and $40 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, none of which was sold or repledged. Such non-cash collateral economically reduced Credco’s risk exposure to $109 million and $196 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, but did not reduce the net exposure on Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, Credco posted $85 million and $91 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are recorded within Other assets on Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not netted against the derivative balances.
	Represents the amount of netting of derivative assets and derivative liabilities executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.
	Credco has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and derivative liabilities are presented within Other assets and Accrued interest and Other liabilities on Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Effect of fair value hedges on results of operations	The following table summarizes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings associated with Credco’s fair value hedges for the three months ended March 31:
	(Millions)		Gains (losses) recognized in income
			Derivative contract					Hedged item							Net hedge
				Amount						Amount					ineffectiveness
	Derivative Relationship		Income Statement Line Item	2015		2014		Income Statement Line Item		2015			2014		2015		2014
	Interest rate contracts		Other expenses	$	48	$	-36	Other expenses		$	-44		$	37	$	4	$	1
Derivative instruments gain (loss) recognized in income	The following table summarizes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income and retained earnings associated with Credco’s derivatives not designated as hedges for the three months ended March 31:
			Pretax gains (losses)
				Amount
	Description (Millions)		Income Statement Line Item	2015		2014
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other expenses	$	-13	$	121
	Total			$	-13	$	121

Fair_Values_Tables

Fair Values (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	(Millions)					2015			2014
	Assets:
	Derivatives (a)				$	288		$	349
	Total assets					288			349
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives (a)					56			53
	Total liabilities				$	56		$	53
	Refer to Note 4 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 summarizes the estimated fair values of Credco’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
						Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2015 (Billions)					Value			Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value			$	20.3		$	20.3	$	0.1	(a)	$	20.2	$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Card Member loans, net			0.4			0.4		―			―		0.4
				Loans to affiliates and others			11.4			11.3		―			8.4		2.9
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal
			or approximate fair value				5.7			5.7		―			5.7		―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
				Long-term debt		$	24.1		$	24.3	$	―		$	24.3	$	―
						Carrying			Corresponding Fair Value Amount
	2014 (Billions)					Value			Total		Level 2			Level 3
	Financial Assets:
		Financial assets for which carrying values
			equal or approximate fair value			$	16.8		$	16.8	$	16.8		$	―
		Financial assets carried at other than fair value
				Card Member loans, net			0.4			0.4		―			0.4
				Loans to affiliates and others			15.3			15.2		12.3			2.9
	Financial Liabilities:
		Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal
			or approximate fair value				6			6		6			―
		Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
				Long-term debt		$	24.3		$	24.5	$	24.5		$	―
	(a) Reflects cash and due from banks.

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C1

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Components of comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	Changes in each component for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
			Foreign		Accumulated
			Currency		Other
			Translation		Comprehensive
	2015 (Millions), net of tax		Adjustments		Loss
	Balances as of December 31, 2014	$	-787	$	-787
	Net translation loss of investments in foreign operations		-188		-188
	Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		63		63
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss		-125		-125
	Balances as of March 31, 2015	$	-912	$	-912
			Foreign		Accumulated
			Currency		Other
			Translation		Comprehensive
	2014 (Millions), net of tax		Adjustments		Loss
	Balances as of December 31, 2013	$	-478	$	-478
	Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations		51		51
	Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations		-76		-76
	Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss		-25		-25
	Balances as of March 31, 2014	$	-503	$	-503

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo2

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Card Member receivables	$18,516	$14,507
Less: Reserve for losses	115	94	102	76
Card Member receivables, net	18,401	14,413
U.S. Card Services [Member]
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Card Member receivables	4,636	2,755
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Card Member receivables	11,854	10,436
International Card Services [Member]
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Card Member receivables	$2,026	$1,316

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo3

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Card Member loans
Less: Reserve for losses	$4	$3	$5	$4
Card Member loans, less reserves	383	398
International Card Services [Member]
Card Member loans
Card Member loans	$387	$401

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo4

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
U.S. Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Financing receivable recorded investment aging
Current	$4,591	$2,729
30 to 59 days past due	20	12
60 to 89 days past due	10	5
90+ days past due	15	9
Total aging	4,636	2,755
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Financing receivable recorded investment aging
Current	1,998	1,296
30 to 59 days past due	11	8
60 to 89 days past due	5	4
90+ days past due	12	8
Total aging	2,026	1,316
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Financing receivable recorded investment aging
Current	384	399
30 to 59 days past due	1	1
60 to 89 days past due	1	0
90+ days past due	1	1
Total aging	387	401
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Financing receivable recorded investment aging
90+ days past due	84	89
Total aging	$11,854	$10,436

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo5

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details 3)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
U.S. Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Credit Quality Indicator for Receivables and Loans
Net Write-off Rate	1.17%	1.12%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	0.97%	1.19%
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Credit Quality Indicator for Receivables and Loans
Net Write-off Rate	1.37%	2.20%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.38%	1.57%
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Credit Quality Indicator for Receivables and Loans
Net Write-off Rate	1.03%	0.78%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	0.52%	1.60%
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Credit Quality Indicator for Receivables and Loans
Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume	0.08%	0.08%
90 Days Past Billing as a % of Receivables	0.71%	0.74%

Card_Member_Receivables_and_Lo6

Card Member Receivables and Loans (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Net volume of Card Member receivables purchased	$53,000,000,000	$55,000,000,000
Net volume of Card Member loans purchased	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Deferred discount revenue on Card Member receivable	28,000,000		16,000,000
RFC VIII [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Participation Interests In Card Member Receivables Purchased	$4,600,000,000		$2,800,000,000

Reserves_Details

Reserves (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in the Card Member receivable reserve for losses
Balance, January 1	$94	$76
Provisions	38	59
Other credits	25	15
Net write-offs	-42	-48
Balance, March 31	$115	$102

Reserves_Details_1

Reserves (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses
Balance, January 1	$3	$4
Provisions	2	2
Net write-offs	-1	-1
Balance, March 31	$4	$5

Reserves_Details_Textuals

Reserves (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reserves For Losses (Textuals) [Abstract]
Participation interest in Card Member receivables purchased, net from affiliates	$4,400,000,000	$3,400,000,000
Recoveries, Card Member receivables	26,000,000	24,000,000
Recoveries, Card Member loans	$300,000	$1,000,000

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total fair value of derivative assets	$288	$349
Cash collateral netting	-114	-63
Derivative asset and liability netting	-47	-50
Total derivatives assets,net	127	236
Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total fair value of derivative assets	234	276
Other Assets [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total fair value of derivative assets	54	73
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	134	90
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	100	186
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total fair value of derivative liability	56	53
Cash collateral netting	0	0
Derivative asset and liability netting	-47	-50
Total derivatives liabilities, net	9	3
Accrued Interest And Other Liabilities Member [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total fair value of derivative liability	16	4
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	40	49
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	0	4
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	$16	$0

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi3

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 1) (Other Expense [Member], Interest Rate Contract [Member], Fair Value Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative contract	$48	($36)
Hedged item	-44	37
Net hedge ineffectiveness	$4	$1

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi4

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 2) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Pretax (losses) gains	($13)	$121
Other Expense [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Pretax (losses) gains	($13)	$121

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi5

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives And Hedging Activities Textuals [Abstract]
Net reduction in interest expense	$42	$45
Derivative [Line Items]
Ineffectiveness reclassified from AOCI into income	0	0
Margin on interest rate swap not netted	85		91
None Sold or Repledged [Member]
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Securities received as collateral	18		40
Risk Exposure Low [Member]
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Total derivatives assets,net	109		196
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	14,700		14,700
Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effection portion of gain (loss) on hedges	63	-76
Credit Valuation Adjustment [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of long-term debt	$0		$0

Fair_Value_Details

Fair Value (Details) (Level 2 [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Level 2 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivatives	$288	$349
Total assets	288	349
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	56	53
Total liabilities	$56	$53

Fair_Value_Details_1

Fair Value (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financial assets carried at other than fair value [Abstract]
Card Member loans, less reserves	$383,000,000	$398,000,000
Loans to affiliates and other	11,370,000,000	15,303,000,000
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	24,119,000,000	24,282,000,000
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Financial Assets:
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	20,300,000,000	16,800,000,000
Financial Liabilities:
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	5,700,000,000	6,000,000,000
Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets:
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	20,200,000,000	16,800,000,000
Financial assets carried at other than fair value [Abstract]
Card Member loans, less reserves	0	0
Loans to affiliates and other	8,400,000,000	12,300,000,000
Financial Liabilities:
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	5,700,000,000	6,000,000,000
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	24,300,000,000	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	400,000,000	400,000,000
Loans to affiliates and other	2,900,000,000	2,900,000,000
Financial Liabilities:
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	0	0
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Financial Assets:
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	20,300,000,000	16,800,000,000
Financial assets carried at other than fair value [Abstract]
Card Member loans, less reserves	400,000,000	400,000,000
Loans to affiliates and other	11,300,000,000	15,200,000,000
Financial Liabilities:
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	5,700,000,000	6,000,000,000
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	24,300,000,000	24,500,000,000
FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Financial Assets:
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value	$100,000,000

Fair_Value_Details_Textuals

Fair Value (Details Textuals) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
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

Variable_Interest_Entity_Detai

Variable Interest Entity (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	$32,215	$32,840
Total liabilities	29,919	30,451
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | American Express Canada Credit Corporation Member [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	1,900	2,100
Total liabilities	1,900	2,000
Liabilities eliminated in consolidation	$904	$969

Recovered_Sheet1

Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Changes in other comprehensive income
Balances as of start of period			($787)
Balances as of end of period	-912		-787
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Changes in other comprehensive income
Balances as of start of period	-787	-478
Net translation (loss) gain of investment in foreign operations	-188	51
Net gains (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations	63	-76
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	-125	-25
Balances as of end of period	-912	-503
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]
Changes in other comprehensive income
Balances as of start of period	-787	-478
Net translation (loss) gain of investment in foreign operations	-188	51
Net gains (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations	63	-76
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	-125	-25
Balances as of end of period	($912)	($503)

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C2

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amount of gain loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to income	$0	$0

Income_Tax_Details_Textuals

Income Tax (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract]
Possible decrease in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of potential resolutions of prior years' tax	$298
Unrecognized tax benefits, amounts recorded to equity, if recognized	$296
Effective tax rate	2.90%	-4.00%
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Earliest Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open tax years by major tax jurisdiction	2008
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Latest Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open tax years by major tax jurisdiction	2011