Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 3)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Loans [Member]
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only	2.30%	3.40%
Net Write Off Rate - Principal, Interest and Fees	2.50%	3.80%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.20%	1.50%
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Receivables [Member]
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only	2.20%	1.60%
Net Write Off Rate - Principal, Interest and Fees	2.30%	1.70%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.70%	1.70%
International Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Loans [Member]
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only	2.10%	3.10%
Net Write Off Rate - Principal, Interest and Fees	2.60%	3.70%
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total	1.70%	2.10%
International Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Receivables [Member]
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume	0.16%	0.15%
90 days past billing as a percentage of receivables	1.00%	1.00%
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Cardmember Receivables [Member]
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables
Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume	0.07%	0.06%
90 days past billing as a percentage of receivables	0.60%	0.70%