Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	$ 18	$ 25	$ 38	$ 52
Average balance of impaired loans	1,451	1,738	1,496	1,834
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Loans [Member]
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	14	17	30	35
Average balance of impaired loans	1,242	1,500	1,271	1,598
U S Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Receivables [Member]
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	0	0	0	0
Average balance of impaired loans	133	137	147	130
International Card Services [Member] | Cardmember Loans [Member]
Interest Income Recognized And Average Balances Of Impaired Cardmember Loans And Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income recognized	4	8	8	17
Average balance of impaired loans	$ 76	$ 101	$ 78	$ 106