Loans and Card Member Receivables (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
90+ Days Past Billing as a % of total	0.30%	0.60%
Card Member receivables
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net write-offs (recovery)	$ 129	$ 881	$ 900
Global Consumer Services Group | Card Member loans
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
30+ Days Past Due as a % of Total	0.70%	1.10%
Global Consumer Services Group | Card Member loans | Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate	0.90%	2.50%
Global Consumer Services Group | Card Member loans | Net Write-Off Rate Principal Interest, and Fees
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate	1.30%	3.00%
Global Consumer Services Group | Card Member receivables
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
30+ Days Past Due as a % of Total	0.50%	0.60%
Global Consumer Services Group | Card Member receivables | Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate	0.30%	1.70%
Global Consumer Services Group | Card Member receivables | Net Write-Off Rate Principal Interest, and Fees
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate	0.40%	1.90%
Global Commercial Services | Global Small Business Services | Card Member loans
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
30+ Days Past Due as a % of Total	0.50%	0.70%
Global Commercial Services | Global Small Business Services | Card Member loans | Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate	0.60%	2.10%
Global Commercial Services | Global Small Business Services | Card Member loans | Net Write-Off Rate Principal Interest, and Fees
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate	0.80%	2.40%
Global Commercial Services | Global Small Business Services | Card Member receivables
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
30+ Days Past Due as a % of Total	0.70%	0.70%
Global Commercial Services | Global Small Business Services | Card Member receivables | Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate	0.30%	2.10%
Global Commercial Services | Global Small Business Services | Card Member receivables | Net Write-Off Rate Principal Interest, and Fees
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate	0.40%	2.30%
Global Commercial Services | Global Corporate Payments | Card Member receivables
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net write-offs (recovery)	$ (37)	$ 53
Global Commercial Services | Global Corporate Payments | Card Member receivables | Net Write-Off Rate Principal Interest, and Fees
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate	0.00%	1.90%