Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net (loss) income		$ (603)	$ 197	$ 214
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provisions for losses		244	151	165
Amortization of underwriting expense		28	23	30
Deferred taxes		55	14	8
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Interest, taxes and other amounts due to/from affiliates		1,088	(39)	(262)
Other operating assets and liabilities		(378)	475	458
Net cash provided by operating activities		434	821	613
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net increase in Card Member receivables and loans, including held for sale	[1]	(1,998)	(1,059)	(3,592)
Increase in interest bearing restricted cash to affiliates		(100)	0	0
Net (increase) decrease in loans to affiliates and other		(1,245)	2,973	152
Net (decrease) increase in due to/from affiliates		(1,718)	(515)	2,605
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(5,061)	1,399	(835)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net (decrease) increase in short-term debt		(1,685)	873	1,351
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt to affiliates		1,414	(861)	1,112
Proceeds from long-term debt		8,438	3,791	6,522
Principal payments of long-term debt		(4,900)	(4,961)	(8,545)
Proceeds from long-term debt to affiliates		270	0	0
Dividends paid		0	0	(115)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		3,537	(1,158)	325
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		75	(24)	(4)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(1,015)	1,038	99
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		1,211	173	74
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$ 196	$ 1,211	$ 173

[1] Refer to Note 1 for additional information