Selected Quarterly Financial Results (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,943	$ 2,936	$ 2,928	$ 2,777	$ 2,964	$ 2,920	$ 2,872	$ 2,695	$ 11,584	$ 11,451	$ 11,152
Expenses	2,463	2,482	2,498	2,539	2,865	2,518	2,463	2,435	9,982	10,281	9,714
Operating (loss) profit	480	454	430	238	99	402	409	260	1,602	1,170	1,438
Net (loss) income	251	200	215	(6)	(1,163)	(75)	33	(63)	660	(1,268)	(265)
Net (loss) income attributable to First Data Corporation	$ 192	$ 132	$ 152	$ (56)	$ (1,217)	$ (126)	$ (26)	$ (112)	$ 420	$ (1,481)	$ (458)
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic (USD per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.15	$ 0.17	$ (0.06)					$ 0.47	$ (7.70)	$ (458,000.00)
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.14	$ 0.17	$ (0.06)					$ 0.46	$ (7.70)	$ (458,000.00)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted (USD per share)					$ (1.60)	$ (126,000.00)	$ (26,000.00)	$ (112,000.00)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares outstanding used in net loss per share computation (in shares)												1,000
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares outstanding used in net loss per share computation (in shares)					763,000,000	1,000	1,000	1,000		763,000,000