Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 Accounts	Jun. 30, 2011 Accounts	Jun. 30, 2012 Accounts	Jun. 30, 2011 Accounts
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	32,000	47,000	75,000	101,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	$ 272	$ 354	$ 629	$ 767
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	266	340	614	736
Cardmember Loans [Member] | U S Card Services [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	24,000	36,000	56,000	79,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	178	267	407	587
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	173	256	396	562
Cardmember Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Number of Accounts	8,000	11,000	19,000	22,000
Pre-Modification Outstanding Balance	94	87	222	180
Post-Modification Outstanding Balance	$ 93	$ 84	$ 218	$ 174