Loans and Accounts Receivable (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	$ 45,258	$ 44,133
Less: Reserve for losses	437	462	$ 441	$ 465
Card Member receivables, net	44,821	43,671
Other receivables, net	2,510	3,024
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Other receivables, reserves	48	43
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	5,485	6,649
Non United States [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	12,900	11,900
U S Consumer Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	10,101	11,807
U S Consumer Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity	5,500	6,600
International Consumer and Network Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	5,551	5,599
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	$ 29,606	$ 26,727