Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 Accounts Percent	Sep. 30, 2011 Percent Accounts
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	49,000	152,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	$ 377	$ 1,167
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	364	1,120
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Loans [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	35,000	116,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	269	875
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	259	839
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Receivables [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	14,000	36,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	108	292
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	$ 105	$ 281