Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 Accounts	Mar. 31, 2011 Accounts
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	43,000	54,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	$ 357	$ 413
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	348	396
Cardmember Loans [Member] | U S Card Services [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	32,000	42,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	229	320
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	223	306
Cardmember Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	11,000	12,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	128	93
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	$ 125	$ 90