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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions | Jun. 30, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Jun. 30, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
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Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember loans, gross | $ 58,749 | $ 60,850 |  |
Less: Cardmember reserve for losses | 2,560 | 3,646 | 4,866 | 5,799
Cardmember loans, net | 56,189 | 57,204 |  |
Other loans, net | 377 | 412 |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Unamortized net card fees | 142 | 134 |  |
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross cardmember loans available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 32,137 | 34,726 |  |
U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember loans, gross | 49,908 | 51,565 |  |
International Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember loans, gross | 8,806 | 9,255 |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember loans, gross | $ 35 | $ 30 |  |

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- Definition Represents the amount of gross loans available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity. + Details
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- Definition The allowance for loan and lease losses represents the reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified loans and leases, as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. For banks, include currently required allocated transfer risk reserves. Include carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for loan losses in connection with business combinations determined to be appropriate. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher OTS -Name Federal Regulation (FR) -Number Title 12 -Chapter V -Section 563c.102 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph a(ii) -Subsection I Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section L -Subsection 1 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 114 -Paragraph 20 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph d -Article 9 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 8, 9 + Details
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- Definition Reflects the gross carrying amount of unpaid credit card loans issued to individuals under revolving credit arrangements that typically charge comparatively higher rates of interest commensurate with higher credit risk, generate late payment and similar types of fees, and are usually unsecured. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-DEP -Chapter 8 -Paragraph 36, 37, 38 -IssueDate 2006-05-01 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph a -Article 9 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph e Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph a, b -Article 9 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher OTS -Name Federal Regulation (FR) -Number Title 12 -Chapter V -Section 563c.102 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph c(iii) -Subsection I + Details
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- Definition Reflects the aggregate carrying amount of all categories of loans and leases held in portfolio, net of unearned income and the allowance for losses on loans and leases. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph e + Details
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- Definition Reflects the aggregate carrying amount of all loans and leases held in portfolio, not otherwise categorized (such as commercial, consumer, or foreign), net of unearned income and the allowance for losses on loans and leases, not otherwise categorized (such as commercial, consumer, or foreign). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph e + Details
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- Definition Reflects the cumulative amount of fees paid by borrowers which have not yet been taken into income and unamortized costs incurred to originate loans and leases, unamortized loan commitments and loan syndication fees, and premiums over or discounts from face amounts of loans that are being amortized into income as an adjustment to yield. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 91 -Paragraph 21 + Details
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