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Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	$ 44,879	$ 44,851
Less: Reserve for losses	420	465	$ 413	$ 386
Card Member receivables, net	44,459	44,386
Other receivables, net	2,805	2,614
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Other receivables, reserves	61	61
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	6,231	7,025
Non United States [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	12,900	13,300
U S Card Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	22,087	22,468
U S Card Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract]
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity	6,200	7,000
International Card Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	6,804	7,653
Global Commercial Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	15,853	14,583
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	341	636
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member] | Delta [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	272	606
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member]
Accounts receivable segment information
Card Member receivables	$ 135	$ 147

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- Definition

Accounts Receivable and Loans.

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Accounts Receivable Segment.

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Represents the amount of gross receivables available to settle the obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity.

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- Definition

Reserves for losses relating to other receivables represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the Company's outstanding portfolio of other receivables.

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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

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For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible.

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Amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date. 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. Excludes amounts related to receivables held-for-sale.

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Carrying amounts due as of the balance sheet date from parties or arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

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