Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	$ 19	$ 21	$ 57	$ 73
Average balance of impaired loans	1,375	1,631	1,461	1,781
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	15	16	45	51
Average balance of impaired loans	1,182	1,390	1,244	1,541
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	0	0
Average balance of impaired loans	120	149	140	138
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	5	12	22
Average balance of impaired loans	$ 73	$ 92	$ 77	$ 102