Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 7) (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, Subsequent Periods [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	10,000	41,000
Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default	$ 72	$ 303
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Loans [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	9,000	36,000
Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default	65	271
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Receivables [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	1,000	5,000
Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default	$ 7	$ 32