Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	$ 21	$ 30	$ 73	$ 110
Average balance of impaired loans	1,631	2,333	1,781	2,628
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Loans [Member]
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	16	23	51	78
Average balance of impaired loans	1,390	2,090	1,541	2,370
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Receivables [Member]
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	0	0	0	0
Average balance of impaired loans	149	109	138	109
International Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Loans [Member]
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	5	7	22	32
Average balance of impaired loans	$ 92	$ 134	$ 102	$ 149