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Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2012 Lease Termination Penalties [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Visa [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 Visa [Member] | Dec. 31, 2007 Visa [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Mastercard [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 Mastercard [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total rental expense | $ 305,000,000 | $ 280,000,000 | $ 250,000,000 | $ 13,000,000 |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate maximum payments received by the company | 4,050,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  | 1,130,000,000 |  |
After tax settlement |  |  |  |  |  |  | 700,000,000 |  |
Pretax quarterly payments |  |  |  |  | 280,000,000 | 280,000,000 |  | 300,000,000 | 600,000,000
After tax quarterly payments |  |  |  |  | 172,000,000 | 172,000,000 |  | 186,000,000 | 372,000,000
Commitments And Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Range of possible loss, minimum | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Range of possible loss, maximum | 430,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contingent obligations with co-brand partners | 4,100,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount of rentals subject to subleasing arrangements | 22,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2013 | 10,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2014 | 10,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2015 | 3,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2016 | 3,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2017 | 3,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, thereafter | $ 11,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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