Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Non-interest revenues
Discount revenue	$ 4,659	$ 4,425	$ 13,826	$ 13,164
Net card fees	658	633	1,958	1,858
Travel commissions and fees	490	465	1,422	1,437
Other commissions and fees	610	581	1,788	1,739
Other	601	577	1,705	1,781
Total non-interest revenues	7,018	6,681	20,699	19,979
Interest income
Interest on loans	1,698	1,658	5,003	4,851
Interest and dividends on investment securities	48	60	153	193
Deposits with banks and other	21	21	67	73
Total interest income	1,767	1,739	5,223	5,117
Interest expense
Deposits	111	118	332	362
Long-term debt and other	373	440	1,163	1,320
Total interest expense	484	558	1,495	1,682
Net interest income	1,283	1,181	3,728	3,435
Total revenues net of interest expense	8,301	7,862	24,427	23,414
Provisions for losses
Charge card	194	190	590	531
Card Member loans	282	264	921	753
Other	16	25	71	68
Total provisions for losses	492	479	1,582	1,352
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses	7,809	7,383	22,845	22,062
Expenses
Marketing, promotion, rewards and Card Member services	2,643	2,461	7,553	7,168
Salaries and employee benefits	1,544	1,516	4,702	4,687
Other, net	1,618	1,536	4,682	4,685
Total expenses	5,805	5,513	16,937	16,540
Pretax income	2,004	1,870	5,908	5,522
Income tax provision	638	620	1,857	1,677
Net income	$ 1,366	$ 1,250	$ 4,051	$ 3,845
Earnings Per Common Share, Basic [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$ 1.26	$ 1.10	$ 3.69	$ 3.33
Earnings Per Common Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$ 1.25	$ 1.09	$ 3.67	$ 3.31
Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share:
Basic	1,074	1,126	1,087	1,143
Diluted	1,081	1,132	1,094	1,149
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.23	$ 0.20	$ 0.66	$ 0.60