Loans and Accounts Receivable (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	$ 757	$ 760	$ 859
Interest income recognized	81	73	65
U S Consumer Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	559	569	633
Interest income recognized	53	48	39
U S Consumer Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	14	13	19
Interest income recognized	0	0	0
International Consumer and Network Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	53	54	62
Interest income recognized	15	14	16
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	103	104	117
Interest income recognized	13	11	10
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable Impaired [Line Items]
Average balance of impaired loans	28	20	28
Interest income recognized	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0