Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	$ 15	$ 15	$ 46	$ 47
Average balance of impaired loans	987	1,375	1,139	1,461
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	11	11	34	35
Average balance of impaired loans	859	1,182	982	1,244
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	0	0	0	0
Average balance of impaired loans	62	120	89	140
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	4	4	12	12
Average balance of impaired loans	$ 66	$ 73	$ 68	$ 77