Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Accounts	Sep. 30, 2011 Accounts	Sep. 30, 2012 Accounts	Sep. 30, 2011 Accounts
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	35,000	49,000	110,000	152,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	$ 297	$ 377	$ 926	$ 1,167
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	293	364	907	1,120
Cardmember Loans [Member] | U S Card Services [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	26,000	35,000	82,000	116,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	193	269	600	875
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	190	259	587	839
Cardmember Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	9,000	14,000	28,000	36,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	104	108	326	292
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	$ 103	$ 105	$ 320	$ 281