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Reserves for Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance, January 1 | $ 1,223 | $ 1,028 | $ 1,201
Card Member loans provisions | 1,868 | 1,235 | 1,190
Reserves transferred to Held for Sale portfolio | 0 | 0 | (224)
Balance, December 31 | 1,706 | 1,223 | 1,028
Provisions for loans and lease losses deductions net write offs principal |  |  |
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses [Line Items] |  |  |
Net Write-Offs Principal, Interest, Fees and Other | 1,181 | 930 | 967
Provisions for loans and lease losses deductions net write offs interest and fees |  |  |
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses [Line Items] |  |  |
Net Write-Offs Principal, Interest, Fees and Other | 227 | 175 | 162
Provisions for loans and lease losses other |  |  |
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses [Line Items] |  |  |
Net Write-Offs Principal, Interest, Fees and Other | $ 23 | $ 65 | $ (10)

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- Definition Reserves for Losses related to CM Receivables and Loans Held for Sale portfolio + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents loss provisions for Card Member loans consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions), interest and fee reserves components for the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of direct write-downs of accounts receivable charged against the allowance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 954 -SubTopic 310 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68075217&loc=SL9156395-115594 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=84173941&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 allowance to cover probable credit losses on loans and leases. Includes carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for loan losses in connection with business combinations. Excludes allowance for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=SL6953423-111524 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=SL6953423-111524 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 210.9-03.7(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 6.L.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74567-122707 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b)(1)(ii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82894903&loc=d3e15032-111544 + Details
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