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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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