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Quarterly Financial Data (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Earnings allocated to participating share awards | $ 11 | $ 12 | $ 13 | $ 11 | $ 7 | $ 14 | $ 14 | $ 14 | $ 47 | $ 49 | $ 58
Restructuring charges, gross of revision adjustments |  |  |  |  | 400 |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, after-tax |  |  |  |  | 287 |  |  |  |  |  |
Membership rewards expense |  |  |  |  | 342 |  |  |  |  |  |
Membership rewards expense, after-tax |  |  |  |  | 212 |  |  |  |  |  |
Statement [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Card Member reimbursements |  |  |  |  | 153 |  |  |  |  |  |
Card Member reimbursements, after-tax |  |  |  |  | 95 |  |  |  |  |  |
Periods in the prior year [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Statement [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Card Member reimbursements |  |  |  |  | 49 |  |  |  |  |  |
Periods prior to the prior year [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Statement [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Card Member reimbursements |  |  |  |  | $ 83 |  |  |  |  |  |

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- Definition Represents Card Member reimbursements (after tax) for various types of transactions dating back several years related to fees, interest and bonus rewards as well as incremental expense related to the consent orders entered into with the Company's U.S. banking regulators. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Discloses the amount charged against the accrued restructuring reserves, or earnings if not previously accrued, during the period for the specified type of restructuring cost, gross of revision adjustments. + References No definition available. + Details
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