Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	$ 57,406	$ 58,573
Less: Reserve for losses	1,012	1,028	$ 1,130	$ 1,201
Card Member loans, net	56,394	57,545
Other loans, net	1,186	1,254
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Other loans, reserves	35	20
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	22,206	23,559
U S Consumer Services [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	42,432	43,495
U S Consumer 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	22,200	23,600
International Consumer and Network Services [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	6,646	7,072
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Loans segment information
Card Member loans, gross	$ 8,328	$ 8,006