Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2015
Non-interest revenues
Discount revenue	$ 4,824		$ 4,946		$ 9,467		$ 9,606
Net card fees	715		667		1,414		1,334
Other fees and commissions	702		727		1,382		1,435
Other	545		521		1,031		989
Total non-interest revenues	6,786		6,861		13,294		13,364
Interest income
Interest on loans	1,818		1,776		3,756		3,571
Interest and dividends on investment securities	34		41		70		82
Deposits with banks and other	33		20		64		41
Total interest income	1,885		1,837		3,890		3,694
Interest expense
Deposits	150		109		300		212
Long-term debt and other	286		305		561		612
Total interest expense	436		414		861		824
Net interest income	1,449		1,423		3,029		2,870
Total revenues net of interest expense	8,235		8,284		16,323		16,234
Provisions for losses
Charge card	153		165		322		339
Card Member loans	285		285		512		520
Other	25		17		63		28
Total provisions for losses	463		467		897		887
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses	7,772		7,817		15,426		15,347
Expenses
Marketing and promotion	788		761		1,515		1,370
Card Member Rewards	1,766		1,799		3,469		3,439
Card Member services and other	281		242		563		503
Salaries and employee benefits	1,451		1,250		2,789		2,555
Other, net	470		1,535		1,890		2,934
Total expenses	4,756		5,587		10,226		10,801
Pretax income	3,016		2,230		5,200		4,546
Income tax provision	1,001		757		1,759		1,548
Income from continuing operations	2,015		1,473		3,441		2,998
Net income	$ 2,015		$ 1,473		$ 3,441		$ 2,998
Earnings Per Common Share, Basic (Note 15) [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 2.11	[1]	$ 1.43	[1]	$ 3.55	[2]	$ 2.92	[2]
Earnings Per Common Share, Diluted (Note 15) [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 2.1	[3]	$ 1.42	[3]	$ 3.54	[4]	$ 2.9	[4]
Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share:
Basic	938		1,009		949		1,013
Diluted	941		1,013		952		1,018
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.29		$ 0.29		$ 0.58		$ 0.55

[1] Represents net income less ( i ) earnings allocated to participating share awards of $ 17 million and $ 11 million for the three months ended June 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $ 19 million and $ 20 million for the three months ended June 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

[2] Represents net income less ( i ) earnings allocate d to participating share awards of $ 28 million and $ 22 million for the six months ended June 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $ 40 million and $ 20 million for the six months ended June 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

[3] Represents net income less ( i ) earnings allocated to participating share awards of $ 17 million and $ 11 million for the three months ended June 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $ 19 million and $ 20 million for the three months ended June 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

[4] Represents net income less ( i ) earnings allocate d to participating share awards of $ 28 million and $ 22 million for the six months ended June 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $ 40 million and $ 20 million for the six months ended June 30 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.