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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details) (USD $) In Millions | Jun. 30, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Jun. 30, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
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Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables, gross | $ 40,143 | $ 37,266 |  |
Less: Cardmember reserve for losses | 415 | 386 | 440 | 546
Cardmember receivables, net | 39,728 | 36,880 |  |
Other receivables, net | 3,655 | 3,554 |  |
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross cardmember receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 7,000 | 7,700 |  |
U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables, gross | 19,249 | 19,155 |  |
International Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables, gross | 6,872 | 6,673 |  |
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] | Global Commercial Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross cardmember receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 500 | 500 |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables, gross | 13,814 | 11,259 |  |
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables, gross | 208 | 179 |  |
Non United States [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables, gross | 13,100 | 11,700 |  |
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross cardmember receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | $ 7,500 | $ 8,192 |  |

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- Definition Accounts Receivable Segment. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity. + Details
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- Definition For an unclassified balance sheet, the amount due from customers or clients for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to their estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 4 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition For an unclassified balance sheet, an amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Company (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date(s). Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among myriad other features and characteristics. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph 3 -Article 9 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amounts due as of the balance sheet date from parties or arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 8 -Article 5 + Details
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