Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	$ 43,464	$ 42,766
Less: Reserve for losses	396	428	409	438
Card Member receivables, net	43,068	42,338
Other receivables, net	3,429	3,576
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Other receivables, reserves	77	86
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	6,416	8,012
Non United States [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	13,700	13,700
U S Card Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	20,258	21,124
U S Card Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity	6,400	7,500
International Card Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	7,181	7,778
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	15,853	13,671
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	857	913
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member] | Delta [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	600	676
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity		476
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	$ 172	$ 193