Reportable Operating Segment (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	$ 6,392	$ 5,789	$ 18,756	$ 16,659
Interest income	1,754	1,794	5,209	5,497
Interest expense	575	610	1,745	1,818
Total revenues net of interest expense	7,571	6,973	22,220	20,338
Income from continuing operations	1,235	1,093	3,707	2,995
U S Card Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	2,710	2,501	7,892	7,278
Interest income	1,329	1,334	3,886	4,060
Interest expense	201	210	604	604
Total revenues net of interest expense	3,838	3,625	11,174	10,734
Income from continuing operations	733	595	1,953	1,525
International Card Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	1,132	926	3,233	2,668
Interest income	323	342	995	1,047
Interest expense	108	105	322	310
Total revenues net of interest expense	1,347	1,163	3,906	3,405
Income from continuing operations	221	144	571	438
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	1,195	1,128	3,631	3,217
Interest income	3	2	7	5
Interest expense	68	58	196	162
Total revenues net of interest expense	1,130	1,072	3,442	3,060
Income from continuing operations	197	150	558	347
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	1,188	1,048	3,459	2,986
Interest income	2	1	4	3
Interest expense	(60)	(51)	(163)	(144)
Total revenues net of interest expense	1,250	1,100	3,626	3,133
Income from continuing operations	332	252	969	766
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues	167	186	541	510
Interest income	97	115	317	382
Interest expense	258	288	786	886
Total revenues net of interest expense	6	13	72	6
Income from continuing operations	$ (248)	$ (48)	$ (344)	$ (81)