Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015
Non-interest revenues
Discount revenue	$ 4,516		$ 4,778		$ 13,983		$ 14,384
Net card fees	747		679		2,161		2,013
Other fees and commissions	694		727		2,076		2,162
Other	483		504		1,514		1,493
Total non-interest revenues	6,440		6,688		19,734		20,052
Interest income
Interest on loans	1,690		1,847		5,446		5,418
Interest and dividends on investment securities	34		38		104		120
Deposits with banks and other	40		19		104		60
Total interest income	1,764		1,904		5,654		5,598
Interest expense
Deposits	150		125		450		337
Long-term debt and other	280		274		841		886
Total interest expense	430		399		1,291		1,223
Net interest income	1,334		1,505		4,363		4,375
Total revenues net of interest expense	7,774		8,193		24,097		24,427
Provisions for losses
Charge card	174		203		496		542
Card Member loans	319		309		831		829
Other	11		17		74		45
Total provisions for losses	504		529		1,401		1,416
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses	7,270		7,664		22,696		23,011
Expenses
Marketing and promotion	930		847		2,445		2,217
Card Member Rewards	1,566		1,763		5,035		5,202
Card Member services and other	278		269		841		772
Salaries and employee benefits	1,263		1,212		4,052		3,767
Other, net	1,498		1,635		3,388		4,569
Total expenses	5,535		5,726		15,761		16,527
Pretax income	1,735		1,938		6,935		6,484
Income tax provision	593		672		2,352		2,220
Income from continuing operations	1,142		1,266		4,583		4,264
Net income	$ 1,142		$ 1,266		$ 4,583		$ 4,264
Earnings Per Common Share, Basic (Note 15) [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 1.21	[1]	$ 1.24	[1]	$ 4.77	[2]	$ 4.16	[2]
Earnings Per Common Share, Diluted (Note 15) [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 1.2	[3]	$ 1.24	[3]	$ 4.76	[4]	$ 4.15	[4]
Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share:
Basic	920		994		940		1,007
Diluted	923		997		943		1,011
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.32		$ 0.29		$ 0.9		$ 0.84

[1] Represents net income less (i) earnings allocated to participating share awards of $ 9 million and $ 10 million for the three months ended September 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $ 21 million and $ 22 million for the three months ended September 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

[2] Represents net income less (i) earnings allocate d to participating share awards of $ 37 million and $ 32 million for the nine months ended September 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $ 61 million and $ 42 million for the nine months ended September 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

[3] Represents net income less (i) earnings allocated to participating share awards of $ 9 million and $ 10 million for the three months ended September 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $ 21 million and $ 22 million for the three months ended September 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

[4] Represents net income less (i) earnings allocate d to participating share awards of $ 37 million and $ 32 million for the nine months ended September 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $ 61 million and $ 42 million for the nine months ended September 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.