Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts receivable segment information
Cardmember receivables	$ 44,097	$ 42,766
Less: Reserve for losses	386	428	392	438
Cardmember receivables, net	43,711	42,338
Other receivables, net	3,204	3,576
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Other receivables, reserves	84	86
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Cardmember receivables	7,117	8,012
Non United States [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Cardmember receivables	13,700	13,700
U S Card Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Cardmember receivables	20,861	21,124
U S Card Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Gross cardmember receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity	6,700	7,500
International Card Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Cardmember receivables	7,153	7,778
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Cardmember receivables	15,893	13,671
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Cardmember receivables	851	913
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member] | Delta [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Cardmember receivables	658	676
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Gross cardmember receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity	468	476
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Cardmember receivables	$ 190	$ 193