2.2.0.25truefalse06041 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 1)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2008
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2008http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2007
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2007http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2007-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0axp_LoansAndLeasesReceivablesDisclosureAbstractaxpfalsenadurationLoan And Leases Receivables Disclosure.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLoan And Leases Receivables Disclosure.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCardus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse6085000000060850[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse6180000000061800falsetruefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the gross carrying amount of unpaid credit card loans issued to individuals under revolving credit arrangements that typically charge comparatively higher rates of interest commensurate with higher credit risk, generate late payment and similar types of fees, and are usually unsecured.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 8
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph a
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 01-6
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph e
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph a, b
-Article 9
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
-Chapter V
-Section 563c.102
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph c(iii)
-Subsection I
falsefalse4false0axp_CardmemberLoansReservesaxpfalsecreditinstantReserves for losses relating to cardmember loans represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the Company's...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse36460000003646falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse57990000005799falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse25700000002570falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse18310000001831falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReserves for losses relating to cardmember loans represent management's best estimate of the losses inherent in the Company's outstanding portfolio of loans.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0axp_CardmemberLoansLessReservesaxpfalsedebitinstantReflects the carrying amount of unpaid credit card loans issued to individuals under revolving credit arrangements, net of...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse5720400000057204falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2950400000029504falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the carrying amount of unpaid credit card loans issued to individuals under revolving credit arrangements, net of reserves for cardmember losses, unamortized net card fees and include interest receivable and fees, that typically charge comparatively higher rates of interest commensurate with higher credit risk, generate late payment and similar types of fees, and are usually unsecured.No authoritative reference available.truefalse6false0axp_OtherLoansLessReservesaxpfalsedebitinstantThe amount of other loans not otherwise specified in the taxonomy, net of reserves for losses, where applicable.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse412000000412[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse506000000506[2]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of other loans not otherwise specified in the taxonomy, net of reserves for losses, where applicable.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse8false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/accountsreceivableandloansdetails11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : U.S. Card Services [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_U_S_Card_Services_Member_2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Card Services [Member]us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_USCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : U.S. Card Services [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_U_S_Card_Services_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Card Services [Member]us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_USCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse9true0axp_LoansAndLeasesReceivablesDisclosureAbstractaxpfalsenadurationLoan And Leases Receivables Disclosure.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLoan And Leases Receivables Disclosure.falsefalse10false0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCardus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse5156500000051565[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2350700000023507[3]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the gross carrying amount of unpaid credit card loans issued to individuals under revolving credit arrangements that typically charge comparatively higher rates of interest commensurate with higher credit risk, generate late payment and similar types of fees, and are usually unsecured.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 8
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph a
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 01-6
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph e
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph a, b
-Article 9
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
-Chapter V
-Section 563c.102
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph c(iii)
-Subsection I
falsefalse12false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/accountsreceivableandloansdetails11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : International Card Services [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_International_Card_Services_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseInternational Card Services [Member]us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_InternationalCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : International Card Services [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_International_Card_Services_Member_2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseInternational Card Services [Member]us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_InternationalCardServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13true0axp_LoansAndLeasesReceivablesDisclosureAbstractaxpfalsenadurationLoan And Leases Receivables Disclosure.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLoan And Leases Receivables Disclosure.falsefalse14false0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCardus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse92550000009255falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse92410000009241falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the gross carrying amount of unpaid credit card loans issued to individuals under revolving credit arrangements that typically charge comparatively higher rates of interest commensurate with higher credit risk, generate late payment and similar types of fees, and are usually unsecured.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 8
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph a
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 01-6
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph e
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph a, b
-Article 9
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
-Chapter V
-Section 563c.102
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph c(iii)
-Subsection I
falsefalse16false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/accountsreceivableandloansdetails11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : Global Commercial Services [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_Global_Commercial_Services_Member_2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseGlobal Commercial Services [Member]us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_GlobalCommercialServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxis} : Global Commercial Services [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_Global_Commercial_Services_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseGlobal Commercial Services [Member]us-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_GlobalCommercialServicesMemberus-gaap_ReceivablesByBusinessSegmentOfEntityTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse17true0axp_LoansAndLeasesReceivablesDisclosureAbstractaxpfalsenadurationLoan And Leases Receivables Disclosure.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLoan And Leases Receivables Disclosure.falsefalse18false0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCardus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3000000030falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2400000024falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the gross carrying amount of unpaid credit card loans issued to individuals under revolving credit arrangements that typically charge comparatively higher rates of interest commensurate with higher credit risk, generate late payment and similar types of fees, and are usually unsecured.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 8
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph a
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 01-6
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph e
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph a, b
-Article 9
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
-Chapter V
-Section 563c.102
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph c(iii)
-Subsection I
falsefalse20false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/accountsreceivableandloansdetails11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxis} : Variable Interest Enterprise [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_Variable_Interest_Enterprise_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseVariable Interest Enterprise [Member]us-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_VariableInterestEnterpriseMemberus-gaap_VariableInterestByInterestTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse22true0axp_AccountsReceivableAndLoansTextualsAbstractaxpfalsenadurationAccounts Receivable and Loans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringAccounts Receivable and Loans.falsefalse23false0axp_CardmemberLoansUndividedProRataInterestInUnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntityaxpfalsedebitinstantRepresents the principal and accrued interest receivable of the non-investor interest portion of the total undivided,...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse80330000008033falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the principal and accrued interest receivable of the non-investor interest portion of the total undivided, pro-rata interest in an unconsolidated variable interest entity as of December 31, 2009, which is included within cardmember loans in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet, (historically referred to as "seller's interest").No authoritative reference available.falsefalse24false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://americanexpress.com/role/accountsreceivableandloansdetails11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis} : Unamortized Net Card Fees Lending Products [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_Unamortized_Net_Card_Fees_Lending_Products_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseUnamortized Net Card Fees Lending Products [Member]us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_UnamortizedNetCardFeesLendingProductsMemberus-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$13falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis} : Unamortized Net Card Fees Lending Products [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_Unamortized_Net_Card_Fees_Lending_Products_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseUnamortized Net Card Fees Lending Products [Member]us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_UnamortizedNetCardFeesLendingProductsMemberus-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse25true0axp_LoansAndLeasesReceivablesDisclosureAbstractaxpfalsenadurationLoan And Leases Receivables Disclosure.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLoan And Leases Receivables Disclosure.falsefalse26false0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCardus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse134000000134falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse114000000114falsetruefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the gross carrying amount of unpaid credit card loans issued to individuals under revolving credit arrangements that typically charge comparatively higher rates of interest commensurate with higher credit risk, generate late payment and similar types of fees, and are usually unsecured.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 8
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph a
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 01-6
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph e
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph a, b
-Article 9
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
-Chapter V
-Section 563c.102
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph c(iii)
-Subsection I
falsefalse1Cardmember loan balance is net of unamortized net card fees of $134 million and $114 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.2Other loans primarily represent small business installment loans, a store card portfolio whose billed business is not processed on the Company's network and small business loans associated with the acquisition of CPS.3As of December 31, 2010, includes approximately $34.7 billion of gross cardmember loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated VIE. As of December 31, 2009 includes approximately $8.0 billion for an undivided, pro-rata interest in an unconsolidated VIE (historically referred to as 'seller's interest'). Refer to Note 7 for additional details.420Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 1) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
