Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 U S Card Services [Member] Cardmember Loans [Member] Percent	Sep. 30, 2010 U S Card Services [Member] Cardmember Loans [Member] Percent	Sep. 30, 2011 U S Card Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member] Percent	Sep. 30, 2010 U S Card Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member] Percent	Mar. 31, 2010 International Card Services [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 International Card Services [Member] Cardmember Loans [Member] Percent	Sep. 30, 2010 International Card Services [Member] Cardmember Loans [Member] Percent	Sep. 30, 2011 International Card Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member] Percent	Sep. 30, 2010 International Card Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member] Percent	Mar. 31, 2010 Global Commercial Services [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Global Commercial Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member] Percent	Sep. 30, 2010 Global Commercial Services [Member] Cardmember Receivables [Member] Percent
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate Principal	3.20%	6.20%	1.70%	1.70%		2.90%	4.90%
Net Write Off Rate Principal Interest Fees	3.50%	6.80%	1.80%	1.80%		3.50%	5.80%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.50%	2.50%	2.00%	1.70%		1.90%	2.80%
Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume								0.15%	0.27%		0.06%	0.13%
90 days past billing as a percentage of receivables								0.90%	1.00%		0.70%	0.80%
Credit Quality Indicator For Loans And Receivables (Textuals) [Abstract]
Cardmember receivables net write offs due to methodology change					$ 60					$ 48