Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,262	$ 759
Adjustments:
Provision for transaction and loan losses	265	225
Depreciation and amortization	571	401
Stock-based compensation	238	238
(Gain) loss on divested businesses	(118)	256
Gain on acquisition of a business	0	(17)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition effects	(919)	(380)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,299	1,482
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(599)	(388)
Changes in principal loans receivable, net	(155)	(99)
Purchases of investments	(1,344)	(1,229)
Maturities and sales of investments	629	860
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(133)	(2,847)
Proceeds from divested business, net of cash disposed	144	0
Other	(16)	(102)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,474)	(3,805)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	225	156
Repurchases of common stock	(595)	(781)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	68	59
Tax witholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock awards and units	(132)	(114)
Net borrowings under commercial paper program	0	700
Repayment of acquired debt	0	(186)
Funds receivable and customer accounts	(328)	(763)
Funds payable and amounts due to customers	328	763
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(434)	(166)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(44)	178
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(653)	(2,311)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	4,691	5,577
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,038	3,266
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Cash paid for interest	15	14
Cash paid for income taxes	639	136
Common stock options assumed pursuant to acquisition	0	25
Note receivable from divested business	$ 0	$ 287