2.2.0.25truefalse06101 - Disclosure - Debt (Details 1)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
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USD ($)
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Section 02
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
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-Number 129
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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{us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis} : Fixed Rate Senior Notes [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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USD ($)
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12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Parent Company [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Section 02
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-Article 7
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
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1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : American Express Centurion Bank [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
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{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : American Express Credit Corporation [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
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{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : American Express Federal Savings Bank [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
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-Article 5
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Section 03
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
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{us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis} : Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member]
12/31/2009
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Section 03
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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-Section 02
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1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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{us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis} : Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Section 02
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : American Express Credit Corporation [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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12/31/2009
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
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{us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis} : Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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{us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis} : Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
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12/31/2010
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
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{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Parent Company [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
TwelveMonthsEnded_31Dec2010_Parent_Company_Member_Convertible_Subordinated_Debt_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseConvertible Subordinated Debt [Member]us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMemberus-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseParent Company [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ParentCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0$32falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis} : Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]
{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Parent Company [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
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{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : American Express Credit Corporation [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : American Express Credit Corporation [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
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{us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis} : Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
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{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Other Subsidiaries [Member]
{us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxis} : Sale Lease Back Transaction Name [Member]
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2010_Other_Subsidiaries_Member_Fixed_Rate_Subordinated_Notes_Amount_Member_Sale_Lease_Back_Transaction_Name_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseFixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member]us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMemberus-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther Subsidiaries [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_OtherSubsidiariesMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseSale Lease Back Transaction Name [Member]us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_SaleLeaseBackTransactionNameMemberus-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$37falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis} : Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member]
{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Other Subsidiaries [Member]
{us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxis} : Sale Lease Back Transaction Name [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009_Other_Subsidiaries_Member_Fixed_Rate_Subordinated_Notes_Amount_Member_Sale_Lease_Back_Transaction_Name_Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000004962instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseFixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member]us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_FixedRateSubordinatedNotesAmountMemberus-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther Subsidiaries [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_OtherSubsidiariesMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseSale Lease Back Transaction Name [Member]us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiaxp_SaleLeaseBackTransactionNameMemberus-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse121true0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse122false0us-gaap_LongTermDebtus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1truefalsefalse132000000132000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse8700000087000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryIncluding current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
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{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Other Subsidiaries [Member]
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Other Subsidiaries [Member]
12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
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12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
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12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
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12/31/2009
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5
falsefalse1The outstanding balances include (i) unamortized discounts (ii) the impact of movements in exchange rates on foreign currency denominated debt ($0.6 billion and $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively), and (iii) the impact of fair value hedge accounting on certain fixed rate notes that have been swapped to floating rate through the use of interest rate swaps. Under fair value hedge accounting, the outstanding balances on these fixed rate notes are adjusted to reflect the impact of changes in fair value due to changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the impact on long-term debt due to fair value hedge accounting was an increase of $0.8 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively. Refer to Note 12 for more details on the Company?s treatment of fair value hedges.2Effective interest rates are only presented if swaps are in place to hedge the underlying debt. There were no swaps in place as of December 31, 20103For floating rate debt issuances, the stated and effective interest rates are based on the floating rates in effect as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These rates may not be indicative of future interest rates. 4The Company did not have any federal funds purchased as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.5 Upon adoption of new GAAP effective January 1, 2010, the Lending Trust was consolidated. The December 31, 2009 non-consolidated outstanding balance was $25.0 billion and the year-end stated rate was 0.87 percent.6 Effective interest rates are only presented when swaps are in place to hedge the underlying debt.7The conduit facility expires on December 15, 2013; the Company is required to pay down the balance one month after the expiry of the facility.8The maturity date will automatically be extended to September 1, 2066, except in the case of either (i) a prior redemption or (ii) a default. See further discussion below.9Includes $132 million and $87 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to lease transactions.2139Debt (Details 1) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue
