Reportable Operating Segments and Geographic Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues									$ 26,896	$ 28,716	$ 27,823
Interest income									7,545	7,179	7,005
Interest expense									1,623	1,707	1,958
Total revenues, net of interest expense	$ 8,391	$ 8,193	$ 8,284	$ 7,950	$ 9,081	$ 8,303	$ 8,631	$ 8,173	32,818	34,188	32,870
Total provision									1,988	2,044	1,832
Pretax income	1,454	$ 1,938	$ 2,230	$ 2,316	2,225	$ 2,246	$ 2,312	$ 2,208	7,938	8,991	7,888
Income tax provision (benefit)									2,775	3,106	2,529
Net Income from continuing operations									5,163	5,885	5,359
Total assets	161,184				159,103				161,184	159,103	153,000
Total shareholders' equity	20,673				20,673				20,673	20,673	19,496	$ 18,886
U S Card Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues									13,180	12,628	12,019
Interest income									6,267	5,786	5,565
Interest expense									654	604	693
Total revenues, net of interest expense									18,793	17,810	16,891
Total provision									1,453	1,396	1,250
Pretax income									5,355	5,100	4,994
Income tax provision (benefit)									1,942	1,900	1,801
Net Income from continuing operations									3,413	3,200	3,193
Total assets	117,300				113,200				117,300	113,200	104,000
Total shareholders' equity	10,300				10,400				10,300	10,400	9,300
International Card Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues									4,321	4,737	4,644
Interest income									939	1,085	1,118
Interest expense									242	330	361
Total revenues, net of interest expense									5,018	5,492	5,401
Total provision									329	370	388
Pretax income									508	449	643
Income tax provision (benefit)									87	38	12
Net Income from continuing operations									421	411	631
Total assets	35,400				30,700				35,400	30,700	31,000
Total shareholders' equity	2,900				3,000				2,900	3,000	3,100
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues									3,513	5,173	5,085
Interest income									14	15	13
Interest expense									185	240	245
Total revenues, net of interest expense									3,342	4,948	4,853
Total provision									148	180	129
Pretax income									1,073	2,408	1,244
Income tax provision (benefit)									407	865	384
Net Income from continuing operations									666	1,543	860
Total assets	17,700				18,500				17,700	18,500	19,000
Total shareholders' equity	3,700				3,800				3,700	3,800	3,700
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues									5,236	5,426	5,229
Interest income									98	52	32
Interest expense									(194)	(269)	(252)
Total revenues, net of interest expense									5,528	5,747	5,513
Total provision									54	93	67
Pretax income									2,775	2,620	2,469
Income tax provision (benefit)									1,004	960	894
Net Income from continuing operations									1,771	1,660	1,575
Total assets	23,600				18,100				23,600	18,100	17,000
Total shareholders' equity	2,400				2,000				2,400	2,000	2,000
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-interest revenues									646	752	846
Interest income									227	241	277
Interest expense									736	802	911
Total revenues, net of interest expense									137	191	212
Total provision									4	5	(2)
Pretax income									(1,773)	(1,586)	(1,462)
Income tax provision (benefit)									(665)	(657)	(562)
Net Income from continuing operations									(1,108)	(929)	(900)
Total assets	(33,000)				(22,000)				(33,000)	(22,000)	(18,000)
Total shareholders' equity	$ 1,400				$ 1,500				$ 1,400	$ 1,500	$ 1,400