Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Jun. 30, 2019
Disclosure Text Block Abstract
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation The Company Credco is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company (American Express). Credco is engaged in the business of financing certain non-interest-earning Card Member receivables arising from the use of the American Express charge cards issued in the United States and in certain countries outside the United States. Credco also finances certain interest-earning revolving loans generated by Card Member spending on American Express credit cards issued in non-U.S. markets. Credco executes material transactions with its affiliates. The agreements between Credco and its affiliates provide that the parties intend that the transactions thereunder be conducted on an arm’s-length basis; however, there can be no assurance that the terms of these arrangements are the same as would be negotiated between independent, unrelated parties. American Express provides Credco with financial support with respect to maintenance of its minimum required 1.25 fixed charge coverage ratio, which is achieved by charging appropriate discount rates on the purchases of receivables Credco makes from, and the interest rates on the loans Credco provides to, TRS and other American Express subsidiaries. Each monthly period, the discount and interest rates are determined to generate income for Credco that is sufficient to maintain its minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The revenue earned by Credco from purchasing Card Member receivables and Card Member loans at a discount is reported as discount revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Credco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the 2018 Form 10-K). If not materially different, certain note disclosures included therein have been omitted from these Consolidated Financial Statements. The interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report have not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim Consolidated Financial Statements, have been made. Results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ. Recently-Issued-and-adopted-Accounting-Standards Recently Issued Accounting Standards In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new accounting guidance for the recognition of credit losses on financial instruments, effective January 1, 2020. The guidance introduces a new credit reserving methodology known as the Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) methodology, which differs significantly from the incurred loss approach used today and will alter the estimation process, inputs and assumptions used in estimating credit losses. The CECL methodology requires measurement of expected credit losses for the estimated life of the asset, not only based on historical experience and current conditions, but also by including reasonable and supportable forecasts incorporating forward-looking information. At the date of adoption, any changes in reserves will be recorded in retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period of adoption as a cumulative-effect adjustment. Credco continues to evaluate the impact the new guidance will have on its financial position and results of operations. Credco has run multiple preliminary CECL simulations based on its portfolio composition and current expectations of future economic conditions. Credco expects a net decrease in the reserves for credit losses based on the comparison of CECL estimates to the incurred loss model applied today, primarily due to the lifetime loss requirement of CECL and the relatively short estimated average life of Card Member receivables. The actual impact at adoption will depend on the outstanding balances, characteristics of Credco’s receivable and loan portfolios, macroeconomic conditions and forecasted information at the date of adoption. Credco, along with American Express, continues its cross-functional implementation efforts and has substantially completed development of its CECL models. Model validation and user acceptance testing commenced in the first half of 2019, with continuing parallel runs throughout the second half of 2019. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In February 2018, as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act), the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings. Credco adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2019 and did not elect the optional reclassification.