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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 1) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009 | Dec. 31, 2008
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Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember loans, gross | $ 62,621,000,000 | $ 60,850,000,000 |  |
Less: Cardmember reserve for losses | 1,874,000,000 | 3,646,000,000 | 5,799,000,000 | 2,570,000,000
Cardmember loans, net | 60,747,000,000 | 57,204,000,000 |  |
Other loans, net | 419,000,000 | 412,000,000 |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Unamortized net card fees | 140,000,000 | 134,000,000 |  |
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember loans, gross | 33,834,000,000 | 34,726,000,000 |  |
Cardmember loans, net | 33,300,000,000 | 33,200,000,000 |  |
U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember loans, gross | 53,686,000,000 | 51,565,000,000 |  |
U S Card Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross cardmember loans available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 33,800,000,000 | 34,700,000,000 |  |
International Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember loans, gross | 8,901,000,000 | 9,255,000,000 |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember loans, gross | $ 34,000,000 | $ 30,000,000 |  |

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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 -LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. 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 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 9 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph d Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 8, 9 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b)(1)(ii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379141&loc=d3e15032-111544 + 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 SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 9 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph a Reference 2: 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 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph e -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6375948&loc=d3e4428-111522 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher OTS -Name Federal Regulation (FR) -Number Title 12 -Chapter V -Section 563c.102 -Subsection I -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph c(iii) -LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 9 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph a, b Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a)(4),(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + 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 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6375948&loc=d3e4428-111522 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + 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 FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5066-111524 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph e -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5074-111524 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6375948&loc=d3e4428-111522 + 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 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6378536&loc=d3e10092-111533 + Details
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