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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details) (USD $) | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Mar. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables | $ 41,507,000,000 | $ 40,890,000,000 |  |
Less: Cardmember reserve for losses | 424,000,000 | 438,000,000 | 421,000,000 | 386,000,000
Cardmember receivables, net | 41,083,000,000 | 40,452,000,000 |  |
Other receivables, net | 2,827,000,000 | 3,657,000,000 |  |
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables | 7,131,000,000 | 8,027,000,000 |  |
Cardmember receivables, net | 7,100,000,000 | 8,000,000,000 |  |
Non United States [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables | 13,100,000,000 | 12,800,000,000 |  |
U S Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables | 19,319,000,000 | 20,645,000,000 |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross cardmember receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 6,600,000,000 | 7,500,000,000 |  |
International Card Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables | 6,736,000,000 | 7,222,000,000 |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables | 15,298,000,000 | 12,829,000,000 |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gross cardmember receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 500,000,000 | 500,000,000 |  |
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable segment information |  |  |  |
Cardmember receivables | $ 154,000,000 | $ 194,000,000 |  |

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- Definition Represents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition For an unclassified balance sheet, the amount due from customers or clients for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to their estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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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 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 210.9-03.10) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
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- Definition For an unclassified balance sheet, an amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Company (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date(s). Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. This amount does not include amounts related to receivables held-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10(3)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 9 -Section 03 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph 3 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amounts due as of the balance sheet date from parties or arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 8 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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