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Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2014
Investment securities    
Trading $ 66 $ 69
Available-for-sale securities 5,815 4,925
Accrued liabilities    
Visa Europe put option [1] 255 145
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1    
Prepaid and other current assets    
Fair value, total assets 5,777 4,580
Accrued liabilities    
Fair value, total liabilities 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Money market funds    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash 3,051 2,277
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Equity securities    
Investment securities    
Trading 66 69
Available-for-sale securities 4 58
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | US Treasury securities    
Investment securities    
Available-for-sale securities 2,656 2,176
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2    
Prepaid and other current assets    
Fair value, total assets 3,504 2,761
Accrued liabilities    
Fair value, total liabilities 13 6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Foreign exchange derivative instruments    
Accrued liabilities    
Foreign exchange derivative instruments 13 6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | U.S. government-sponsored agency debt securities    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash 280 0
Investment securities    
Available-for-sale securities 2,615 2,162
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Commercial Paper    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash 0 37
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Corporate debt securities    
Investment securities    
Available-for-sale securities 533 522
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Foreign exchange derivative instruments    
Prepaid and other current assets    
Foreign exchange derivative instruments 76 40
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3    
Prepaid and other current assets    
Fair value, total assets 7 7
Accrued liabilities    
Fair value, total liabilities 255 145
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Visa Europe put option    
Accrued liabilities    
Visa Europe put option   145
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Auction Rate Securities    
Investment securities    
Available-for-sale securities $ 7 $ 7
[1] the unamended put option was exercisable at any time at the sole discretion of Visa Europe with payment required 285 days thereafter. Classification in current liabilities reflects the fact that the obligation resulting from the exercise of the unamended instrument could become payable within 12 months at September 30, 2015. The fair value of the unamended put option does not represent the actual purchase price that the Company may be required to pay if the option is exercised in its unamended form, which would likely be in excess of $15 billion. During fiscal 2015, we recorded an increase of $110 million in the fair value of the unamended put option. See Note 2—Visa Europe.