Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Impaired loans and receivables
Loans over 90 Days past due and accruing interest	$ 122	$ 131
Non-accrual loans	441	535
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	792	918
Total impaired loans and receivables	1,355	1,584
Unpaid principal balance	1,321	1,513
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	231	294
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Textuals) [Abstract]
Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR, non-accrual	333	410
Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR, past due 90 days and still accruing	6	4
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Loans [Member]
Impaired loans and receivables
Loans over 90 Days past due and accruing interest	60	64
Non-accrual loans	437	529
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	666	736
Total impaired loans and receivables	1,163	1,329
Unpaid principal balance	1,135	1,268
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	150	174
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Receivables [Member]
Impaired loans and receivables
Loans over 90 Days past due and accruing interest	0	0
Non-accrual loans	0	0
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	119	174
Total impaired loans and receivables	119	174
Unpaid principal balance	114	165
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	80	118
International Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Loans [Member]
Impaired loans and receivables
Loans over 90 Days past due and accruing interest	62	67
Non-accrual loans	4	6
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	7	8
Total impaired loans and receivables	73	81
Unpaid principal balance	72	80
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	$ 1	$ 2