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Restructuring Charges (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	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.

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X

- 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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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- Definition

The number of positions eliminated during the period as a result of restructuring activities.

+ References

No definition available.

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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.

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