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Fair Values (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents per Consolidated Balance Sheets | $ 30,231 | $ 32,927 | $ 26,168 | $ 25,208
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Certificates of deposit | 15,847 |  |  |
Long-term debt | 55,300 | 55,804 |  |
Fair Values (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, less reserves | 54,972 | 53,526 |  |
Card Member loans, net | 75,666 | 71,693 |  |
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Long-term debt | 18,637 | 18,560 |  |
Carrying Value [Member] |  |  |  |
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents per Consolidated Balance Sheets | 30,000 | 33,000 |  |
Other financial assets | 59,000 | 57,000 |  |
Financial assets carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Loans, Net | 79,000 | 74,000 |  |
Financial Liabilities: |  |  |  |
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | 82,000 | 76,000 |  |
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Certificates of deposit | 16,000 | 17,000 |  |
Long-term debt | 55,000 | 56,000 |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] |  |  |  |
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents per Consolidated Balance Sheets | 30,000 | 33,000 |  |
Other financial assets | 59,000 | 57,000 |  |
Financial assets carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Loans, Net | 80,000 | 75,000 |  |
Financial Liabilities: |  |  |  |
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | 82,000 | 76,000 |  |
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Certificates of deposit | 16,000 | 17,000 |  |
Long-term debt | 56,000 | 57,000 |  |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] |  |  |  |
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Long-term debt | 18,500 | 18,600 |  |
Fair Values (Textuals) [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, less reserves | 7,700 | 8,900 |  |
Card Member loans, net | 23,600 | 25,600 |  |
Level 1 [Member] |  |  |  |
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents per Consolidated Balance Sheets | 29,000 | 32,000 |  |
Other financial assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Financial assets carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Loans, Net | 0 | 0 |  |
Financial Liabilities: |  |  |  |
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | 0 | 0 |  |
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Certificates of deposit | 0 | 0 |  |
Long-term debt | 0 | 0 |  |
Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents per Consolidated Balance Sheets | 1,000 | 1,000 |  |
Other financial assets | 59,000 | 57,000 |  |
Financial assets carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Loans, Net | 0 | 0 |  |
Financial Liabilities: |  |  |  |
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | 82,000 | 76,000 |  |
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Certificates of deposit | 16,000 | 17,000 |  |
Long-term debt | 56,000 | 57,000 |  |
Level 3 [Member] |  |  |  |
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents per Consolidated Balance Sheets | 0 | 0 |  |
Other financial assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Financial assets carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Loans, Net | 80,000 | 75,000 |  |
Financial Liabilities: |  |  |  |
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | 0 | 0 |  |
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value |  |  |  |
Certificates of deposit | 0 | 0 |  |
Long-term debt | $ 0 | $ 0 |  |

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