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Restructuring Charges (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 Positions | Dec. 31, 2009
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restructuring charges, Incurred cost | $ 119.0 | $ 96.0 | $ 185.0
Restructuring and related cost number of positions to be eliminated |  | 3,200 |
Restructuring and related cost number of positions eliminated |  |  | 4,000
Decrease in staff Level as a result of restructuring |  | 400 |
Restructuring and related cost percentage of positions eliminated |  |  | 6.00%
Restructuring charges, adjustments | (27.0) | 27.0 | 52.0
Aggregate additional restructuring charges, lower range | 5 |  |
Aggregate additional restructuring charges, upper range | 15 |  |
Downsizing And Reorganizing Operations [Member] |  |  |
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restructuring charges, Incurred cost | 105.0 |  | 199.0
Employee Severance [Member] |  |  |
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restructuring charges, Incurred cost | 96.0 | 98.0 | 161.0
Facility Closing [Member] |  |  |
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restructuring charges, Incurred cost | 41.0 |  |
Smaller CorporateInitiatives [Member] |  |  |
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restructuring charges, Incurred cost |  | 25.0 |
U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restructuring charges, Incurred cost | (10.0) |  |
Restructuring charges, adjustments |  | (21.0) |
International Card Services [Member] |  |  |
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restructuring charges, Incurred cost | 29.0 |  |
Restructuring charges, adjustments |  | 2.0 |
Global Commercial Services [Member] |  |  |
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restructuring charges, Incurred cost | 37.0 |  |
Restructuring charges, adjustments |  | 5.0 |
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] |  |  |
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restructuring charges, Incurred cost | (1.0) |  |
Restructuring charges, adjustments | (8.0) |  |
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | Reorganization Of Certain Senior Leadership Positions [Member] |  |  |
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restructuring charges, Incurred cost |  |  | 38.0
Corporate and Other [Member] |  |  |
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |
Restructuring charges, Incurred cost | 64.0 |  |
Restructuring charges, adjustments |  | $ (5.0) |

X
- Definition Represents the number of positions to be eliminated as a result of the Company's restructuring charges during the period across all business units, markets and staff groups, net of new employees that will be hired at the location to which work is being transferred. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The estimated minimum amount expected to be charged against earnings in future periods for the specified restructuring cost. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The estimated maximum amount expected to be charged against earnings in future periods for the specified restructuring cost. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the number of positions to be eliminated as a result of the Company's restructuring charges during the period across all business units, markets and staff groups. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the percentage of the Company's total worldwide workforce eliminated as a result of the Company's restructuring charges during the period across all business units, markets and staff groups. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Discloses the amount charged against the accrued restructuring reserves, or earnings if not previously accrued, during the period for the specified type of restructuring cost. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394695&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 146 -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 Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 95-3 -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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 + Details
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- Definition Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394695&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 95-3 -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 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 40 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394291&loc=d3e17658-110867 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 146 -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. + Details
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