Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Average basis point reduction in interest rate by class of cardmember loans	0.13	0.12	0.13	0.11
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Other receivables, reserves	$ 85		$ 85		$ 102
Other loans, reserves	18		18		18
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Cardmember receivables	41,540		41,540		40,890
U S Card Services [Member]
Troubled Debt Restructuring, Debtor, Current Period [Line Items]
Average payment term extension	13	15	13	15
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Abstract]
Cardmember receivables	6,700		6,700		7,500
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Cardmember receivables	19,588		19,588		20,645
International Card Services [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Cardmember receivables	6,804		6,804		7,222
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Cardmember receivables	14,985		14,985		12,829
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Cardmember receivables	746		746		563
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member] | Delta [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Cardmember receivables	$ 527		$ 527		$ 340