Income Taxes - Narratives (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	51 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) subsidiary	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Valuation allowance		$ 2,520	$ 2,520	$ 2,694
Decrease to valuation allowance		174
Unrecognized tax benefits on state income taxes		21	21
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate		$ 133	133	136	$ 126
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Minimum number of subsidiaries which file income tax returns | subsidiary		1
Uncertain income tax liabilities		$ 240	240	$ 249	$ 236	$ 279
Western Union Company
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Income taxes payable		123	123
Uncertain income tax liabilities		3	3
Federal
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Interest due (pretax)			26
Total taxes allegedly due	$ 59
Settlement with Taxing Authority
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Reasonably possible that liability for unrecognized tax benefits may decrease		$ 123	123
Settlement with Taxing Authority | Federal
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Examination tax due	40
Interest due (pretax)			23
Disputed Tax Examination with Taxing Authority | Federal
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Interest due (pretax)			15
Total taxes allegedly due	40
Disputed Tax Examination with Taxing Authority | Federal | Western Union Company
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Interest due (pretax)			$ 11
Total taxes allegedly due	$ 19