Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents (substantially restricted)	2,548,257		2,572,174
Receivables, net (substantially restricted)	1,266,882		1,220,065
Short-term investments (substantially restricted)	524,055		522,024
Available-for-sale investments (substantially restricted)	85,281		102,771
Property and equipment	117,032		116,341
Goodwill	428,691		428,691
Other assets	214,864		213,512
Total assets	5,185,062		5,175,578
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
Payment service obligations	4,155,880		4,205,375
Debt	810,365		810,888
Pension and other postretirement benefits	116,353		120,252
Accounts payable and other liabilities	218,567		149,261
Total liabilities	5,301,165		5,285,776
Total stockholders' deficit	(116,103)		(110,198)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	5,185,062		5,175,578
Parent [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents (substantially restricted)	547		524
Other assets	10,072		4,820
Equity investments in subsidiaries	80,798		85,436
Total assets	91,417		90,780
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
Accounts payable and other liabilities	84,860		54,803
Intercompany liabilities	122,660		146,175
Total liabilities	207,520		200,978
Total stockholders' deficit	(116,103)		(110,198)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	91,417		90,780
Subsidiary Guarantors [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents (substantially restricted)	2,457,501		2,462,106
Receivables, net (substantially restricted)	1,248,250		1,204,903
Short-term investments (substantially restricted)	500,000		500,000
Available-for-sale investments (substantially restricted)	85,281		102,771
Property and equipment	89,941		87,172
Goodwill	306,878		306,878
Other assets	185,225		190,295
Equity investments in subsidiaries	173,247		177,385
Intercompany receivables	173,416		187,441
Total assets	5,219,739		5,218,951
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
Payment service obligations	4,102,134		4,138,418
Debt	810,365		810,888
Pension and other postretirement benefits	114,606		118,580
Accounts payable and other liabilities	111,855		65,629
Intercompany liabilities	(19)
Total liabilities	5,138,941		5,133,515
Total stockholders' deficit	80,798		85,436
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	5,219,739		5,218,951
Non-Guarantors [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents (substantially restricted)	90,209		109,544
Receivables, net (substantially restricted)	18,632		15,162
Short-term investments (substantially restricted)	24,055		22,024
Property and equipment	27,091		29,169
Goodwill	121,813		121,813
Other assets	19,567		18,397
Total assets	301,367		316,109
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
Payment service obligations	53,746		66,957
Pension and other postretirement benefits	1,747		1,672
Accounts payable and other liabilities	21,852		28,829
Intercompany liabilities	50,775		41,266
Total liabilities	128,120		138,724
Total stockholders' deficit	173,247		177,385
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	301,367		316,109
Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Equity investments in subsidiaries	(254,045)		(262,821)
Intercompany receivables	(173,416)		(187,441)
Total assets	(427,461)		(450,262)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
Intercompany liabilities	(173,416)		(187,441)
Total liabilities	(173,416)		(187,441)
Total stockholders' deficit	(254,045)		(262,821)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$ (427,461)		$ (450,262)