Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010
Other assets	$ 11,977	$ 15,368
Long-term debt	61,767	66,416
Cash and cash equivalents
Securities purchased under resale agreements	433	372
Accounts receivable
Cardmember receivables, reserves	388	386	364
Other receivables, reserves	111	175
Other loans, reserves	17	24
Premises and equipment, accumulated depreciation	4,747	4,483
Common shares, par value	$ 0.2	$ 0.2
Common shares, authorized	3,600,000,000	3,600,000,000
Common shares, issued	1,169,000,000	1,197,000,000
Common shares, outstanding	1,169,000,000	1,197,000,000
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
Net unrealized securities gains, tax		(19)	156
Net unrealized derivatives losses, tax	0	4
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	459	405
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit costs, tax	214	226
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Cardmember receivables, gross	7,115	8,192
Cardmember loans, gross	31,574	34,726
Long-term debt	17,513	23,341
Accounts receivable
Restricted cash held by Trusts	123	3,759
U S Card Services [Member]
Cardmember receivables, gross	18,957	19,155
Cardmember loans, gross	$ 49,886	$ 51,565