Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax
Beginning balance, Estimated tax (expense) benefit	$ (310)	$ (360)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, Estimated tax (expense) benefit	(170)	50
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, Estimated tax (expense) benefit	(481)	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), Estimated tax (expense) benefit	311	50
Distribution of PayPal, Estimated tax (expense) benefit		0
Ending balance, Estimated tax (expense) benefit	1	(310)	$ (360)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period	6,576	19,906
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	276	(428)
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	926	205
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(650)	(633)	15
Distribution of PayPal, net of tax		(12)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	10,539	6,576	19,906
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax
Beginning balance, before tax	36	168
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	126	139
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	108	204
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	18	(65)
Distribution of PayPal		(67)
Ending balance, before tax	54	36	168
Unrealized Gains on Investments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax
Beginning balance, before tax	845	1,029
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	505	(186)
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,299	1
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(794)	(187)
Distribution of PayPal		3
Ending balance, before tax	51	845	1,029
Foreign Currency Translation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax
Beginning balance, before tax	(45)	334
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(185)	(431)
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(185)	(431)
Distribution of PayPal		52
Ending balance, before tax	(230)	(45)	334
AOCI
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period	526	1,171
Stockholders' equity, end of period	$ (124)	$ 526	$ 1,171