CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Processing fees, administrative service fees and other fees charged to merchant alliances accounted for under the equity method	$ 40.5	$ 38.5

Processing fees, administrative service fees and other fees charged to merchant alliances accounted for under the equity method.

No definition available.

Name:	fdc_ProcessingFeesAdministrativeServiceFeesAndOtherFeesChargedToMerchantAlliances
Namespace Prefix:	fdc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration