Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 7) (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, Subsequent Periods [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	5,000	10,000	20,000	41,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Payment Default	$ 47	$ 72	$ 177	$ 303
Cardmember Loans [Member] | U S Card Services [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	4,000	9,000	19,000	36,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Payment Default	39	65	149	271
Cardmember Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Subsequent Periods [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	1,000	1,000	1,000	5,000
Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Payment Default	$ 8	$ 7	$ 28	$ 32