Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	$ 20	$ 27
Average balance of impaired loans	1,547	2,284
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	18
Average balance of impaired loans	1,307	2,036
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
Average balance of impaired loans	160	118
International Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Loans [Member]
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	4	9
Average balance of impaired loans	$ 80	$ 130