Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Line Items]
Probability of exercise by Visa Europe	40.00%
P/E differential at the time of exercise	1.9x
Incremental probability of exercise by Visa Europe	5.00%
Increase in put option value due to increase in probability of exercise	$ 18
Incremental P/E differential at time of exercise	1.0x
Increase in put option value due to increase in price to earnings differential	84
Available-for-sale gross unrealized gains	7	0
Available-for-sale gross unrealized losses	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Line Items]
Put option, fair value	145	145
Non Marketable Equity Investments
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Line Items]
Non-marketable equity investments	$ 92	$ 100

This item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities, at a point in time, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 22

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 13, 19

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27161-111563

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- Definition

This item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities, at a point in time, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. The amount shown on an entity's books for liabilities related to investment contracts (guaranteed investment contract, annuities), net of any reductions or offsets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 97

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 7

-Section 03

-Paragraph 14

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 825

-Section 25

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487514&loc=d3e32427-158581

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- Definition

Value of the other investment not readily marketable determined by management based upon fair value methods, including pricing of similar securities and valuation techniques, that was used to record the investment for financial reporting purposes.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-BRD

-Chapter 7

-Paragraph 6-14

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 940

-SubTopic 820

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6476668&loc=d3e45360-110995

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- Definition

Assumed Price to Earnings Differential at Time of Exercise

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- Definition

Increase In Put Option Value Due To Increase In Price To Earnings Differential

+ References

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- Definition

Increase In Put Option Value Due To Increase In Probability Of Exercise

+ References

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- Definition

Incremental Assumed Price to Earnings Differential at Time of Exercise

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- Definition

Incremental Probability of Exercise by Visa Europe

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Open Option Contracts Written, Exercise Probability

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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