Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Non-interest revenues
Discount revenue	$ 4,257	$ 3,902
Net card fees	610	601
Travel commissions and fees	451	454
Other commissions and fees	583	529
Other revenue	580	475
Total non-interest revenues	6,481	5,961
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans	1,611	1,555
Interest and dividends on investment securities	66	88
Deposits with banks and other	30	20
Total interest income	1,707	1,663
Interest expense
Deposits	129	137
Short-term borrowings	5	0
Long-term debt and other	440	456
Total interest expense	574	593
Net interest income	1,133	1,070
Total revenues net of interest expense	7,614	7,031
Provisions for losses
Charge card	178	198
Cardmember loans	212	(120)
Other	22	19
Total provisions for losses	412	97
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses	7,202	6,934
Expenses
Marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services	2,319	2,450
Salaries and employee benefits	1,635	1,522
Professional services	691	663
Other	784	567
Total	5,429	5,202
Pretax income	1,773	1,732
Income tax provision	517	555
Net income	$ 1,256	$ 1,177
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic EPS	$ 1.07	$ 0.98
Diluted EPS	$ 1.07	$ 0.97
Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share:
Basic	1,160	1,192
Diluted	1,166	1,198
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.20	$ 0.18