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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
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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Represents the amount of gross loans available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.

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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.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher OTS

-Name Federal Regulation (FR)

-Number Title 12

-Chapter V

-Section 563c.102

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-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



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-Publisher SEC

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-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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- 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

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-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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-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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-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

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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.

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-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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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).

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-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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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.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-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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