Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense		$ 17,914,000	$ 15,471,000	$ 18,916,000
Additional amortization expense		100,000	200,000	1,200,000
One-time payment received from merchant for contract termination penalties	800,000
Impairment of intangible asset, net of contract termination gain				400,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs and bond discounts		993,000	2,029,000	2,395,000
Customer and Bank Branding Contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives range (in years), minimum		4
Estimated useful lives range (in years), maximum		10
Exclusive License Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives range (in years), minimum		2
Estimated useful lives range (in years), maximum		8
Non-Compete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives range (in years), minimum		2
Estimated useful lives range (in years), maximum		4
U.S. [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense		15,985,000	13,517,000	17,127,000
Additional amortization expense		$ 100,000	$ 200,000	$ 1,200,000