Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	$ 19	$ 20
Average balance of impaired loans	1,290	1,547
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
Average balance of impaired loans	1,105	1,307
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
Average balance of impaired loans	115	160
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	4
Average balance of impaired loans	$ 70	$ 80