Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	$ 68,895	$ 70,385
Less: Reserve for losses	1,164	1,201	$ 1,146	$ 1,261
Card Member loans, net	67,731	69,184
Other loans, net	1,054	920
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Other loans, reserves	18	12
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	27,284	30,115
U S Card Services [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	62,133	62,592
U S Card Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Gross Card Member loans available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity	27,300	30,100
International Card Services [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	6,710	7,744
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	$ 52	$ 49