Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Impaired loans and receivables
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest	$ 182	$ 132
Non-accrual loans	288	431
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	456	750
Total impaired loans and receivables	926	1,313
Unpaid principal balance	879	1,253
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	125	244
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Textuals) [Abstract]
Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR, non-accrual	93	320
Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR, past due 90 days and still accruing	20	6
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Impaired loans and receivables
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest	125	73
Non-accrual loans	284	426
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	397	627
Total impaired loans and receivables	806	1,126
Unpaid principal balance	764	1,073
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	86	152
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member]
Impaired loans and receivables
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest	0	0
Non-accrual loans	0	0
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	55	117
Total impaired loans and receivables	55	117
Unpaid principal balance	51	111
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	39	91
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member]
Impaired loans and receivables
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest	57	59
Non-accrual loans	4	5
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring	4	6
Total impaired loans and receivables	65	70
Unpaid principal balance	64	69
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings	$ 0	$ 1