Loans and Accounts Receivable (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	$ 793	$ 774	$ 746	$ 775
Interest income recognized	22	19	60	53
U S Consumer Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	587	585	555	580
Interest income recognized	14	13	38	34
U S Consumer Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	13	11	13	14
Interest income recognized	0	0	0	0
International Consumer and Network Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	53	53	52	55
Interest income recognized	4	3	12	10
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	111	108	102	105
Interest income recognized	4	3	10	9
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	29	17	24	21
Interest income recognized	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0