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Loans and Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
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Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member loans | $ 77,603 | $ 73,399 |  |
Less: Reserve for losses | 1,937 | 1,706 | $ 1,502 | $ 1,223
Card Member loans, net | 75,666 | 71,693 |  |
Other loans, net | 3,431 | 2,607 |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Card Member loans, gross loans of a consolidated variable interest entity | 77,603 | 73,399 |  |
Other loans, reserves | 111 | 80 |  |
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member loans | 23,739 | 25,695 |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Card Member loans, gross loans of a consolidated variable interest entity | 23,739 | 25,695 |  |
Global Consumer Services Group [Member] |  |  |  |
Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member loans | 65,400 | 62,319 |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Card Member loans, gross loans of a consolidated variable interest entity | 65,400 | 62,319 |  |
Global Commercial Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Loans segment information |  |  |  |
Card Member loans | 12,203 | 11,080 |  |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Card Member loans, gross loans of a consolidated variable interest entity | $ 12,203 | $ 11,080 |  |

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- Definition Reserves for Losses, Other Loans. + References No definition available. + 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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- Definition Amount before allowance of credit card loans issued to individuals. Includes deferred interest and fees, undisbursed portion of loan balance, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts. Excludes 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 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a)(4),(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82891408&loc=d3e4428-111522 + Details
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- Definition Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements and loans held for sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82891408&loc=d3e4428-111522 Reference 2: 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) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
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- Definition Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Includes loans held for sale. Excludes 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 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
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