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Reserves for Losses (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012
Changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses |  |  |  |
Balance, January 1 |  |  | $ 428 | $ 438
Additions: |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables provisions |  |  | 472 | 434
Card Member receivables provisions - other |  |  | 118 | 97
Total provision | 194 | 190 | 590 | 531
Deductions: |  |  |  |
Card Member receivables net write-offs |  |  | (507) | (487)
Card Member receivables reserves for losses - other |  |  | (115) | (73)
Balance, September 30 | $ 396 | $ 409 | $ 396 | $ 409

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- Definition Represents adjustments to cardmember receivables resulting from unauthorized transactions for the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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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. + Details
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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. + Details
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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. + 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=28368275&loc=d3e5074-111524 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Amount of expense related to write-down of receivables to the amount expected to be collected. Includes, but is not limited to, accounts receivable and notes receivable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: 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=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 5 -Article 5 + Details
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