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Reserves for Losses (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Mar. 31, 2010 International Card Services And Global Commercial Services [Member]
Changes in the cardmember receivable reserve for losses
Balance, January 1	$ 386	$ 546	$ 810
Additions:
Cardmember receivables provisions	603	439	773
Cardmember receivables provisions - other	167	156	84
Total provision	770	595	857
Deductions:
Cardmember receivables net write-offs	(560)	(598)	(1,131)
Cardmember receivables - other	(158)	(157)	10
Balance, December 31	438	386	546
Valuation allowances and reserves, recoveries	349	357	349
Change In Cardmember Receivables Reserve For Losses [Line Items]
Cardmember receivables net write offs due to methodology change				$ 108

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- Definition

Represents write-offs of cardmember receivables during period, net of recoveries, as a result of a change in write-off methodology.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents adjustments to cardmember receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions for the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents loss provisions for cardmember receivables consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee reserve components for the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents adjustments to cardmember receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions and foreign currency translation adjustments for the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents net write-offs consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries, for the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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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



Reference 2: 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



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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

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- Definition

Amount of the current period expense charged against operations, the offset which is generally to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the purpose of reducing receivables, including notes receivable, to an amount that approximates their net realizable value (the amount expected to be collected).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.5)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-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 SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 5



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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- Definition

Total of recoveries of amounts due the Entity that had previously been written off as uncollectible using allowances (the valuation accounts that are netted against the cost of an asset to value it at its carrying value) and total of reestablishments of reserves (liabilities established to represent expected future costs) that had previously been utilized.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 09

-Article 12



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 4

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