Receivables

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Receivables [Abstract]

Receivables

U. Receivables

Sale of Receivables Programs

Alcoa had a program to sell a senior undivided interest in certain customer receivables, without recourse, on a continuous basis to a third-party for cash (up to $250). This program was renewed on October 29, 2009 and was due to expire on October 28, 2010. On March 26, 2010, Alcoa terminated this program and repaid the $250 originally received in 2009. In light of the adoption of accounting changes related to the transfer of financial assets, had the securitization program not been terminated, it would have resulted in a $250 increase in both Receivables from customers and Short-term borrowings on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet (see the Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance section of Note A).

Also on March 26, 2010, Alcoa entered into two one-year arrangements (both were renewed in March 2011) with third parties to sell certain customer receivables outright without recourse on a continuous basis. Additionally, in November 2011, Alcoa entered into a five-year arrangement with another third party to sell additional customer receivables outright without recourse on a continuous basis. As of December 31, 2011, $212 of the sold receivables under the three arrangements combined were uncollected. Alcoa is servicing the customer receivables for the third parties at market rates; therefore, no servicing asset or liability was recorded.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The following table details the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts related to customer receivables and other receivables:

	Customer receivables						Other receivables
December 31,	2011			2010			2011			2010
Balance at beginning of year	$	46		$	72		$	87		$	90
Provision for doubtful accounts		19			(8	)		7			1
Write off of uncollectible accounts		(14	)		(10	)		(3	)		(1	)
Recoveries of prior write-offs		(3	)		(4	)		(5	)		(3	)
Other		(2	)		(4	)		(7	)		-
Balance at end of year	$	46		$	46		$	79		$	87