Reserves for Losses (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Card Member Receivables And Related Reserves Evaluated Separately and Collectively For Impairment [Abstract]
Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment	$ 55	$ 117
Reserves on Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment	39	91
Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment	43,409	42,649
Reserves on Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment	$ 357	$ 337

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The valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were collectively evaluated for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were individually evaluated for impairment.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

The balance of financing receivables that were collectively evaluated for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (h)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The balance of financing receivables that were individually evaluated for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (h)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant