2.2.0.25truefalse42401 - Disclosure - Foreign Exchange Risk Management (Classification of Outstanding Forward Contracts by Functional Currency) (Details)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDtruefalse{ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxis} : U.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxis} : Commitments [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_20109http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member]ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_CurrencyUSDollarMemberma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseCommitments [Member ]us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommitmentsMemberus-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxis} : U.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxis} : Commitments [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_20096http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member]ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_CurrencyUSDollarMemberma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseCommitments [Member ]us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommitmentsMemberus-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.mastercard.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureforeignexchangeriskmanagementclassificationofoutstandingforwardcontractsbyfunctionalcurrencydetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDtruefalse {ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxis} : U.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxis} : Commitments [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_20109http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member]ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_CurrencyUSDollarMemberma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseCommitments [Member ]us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommitmentsMemberus-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxis} : U.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxis} : Commitments [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_20096http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member]ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_CurrencyUSDollarMemberma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseCommitments [Member ]us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommitmentsMemberus-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse2false0us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativePurchaseContractsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse3600000036[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3800000038[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate notional amount of foreign currency derivatives to purchase a foreign currency. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeSaleContractsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition availabl e.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse129000000129[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse5000000050[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate notional amount of foreign currency derivatives to sell a foreign currency. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.No authoritative reference available.fa lsefalse4false0ma_FairValueAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativePurchaseContractsmafalsedebitinstantFair Value Amount of Foreign Currency Derivative Purchase Contractsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10000001[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value Amount of Foreign Currency Derivative Purchase ContractsNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0ma_FairValueAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeSaleContractsmafalsedebitinstantFair Value Amount of Foreign Currency Derivative Sale Contractsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-2000000-2[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-1000000-1[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value Amount of Foreign Currency Derivative Sale ContractsNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse6false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.mastercard.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureforeignexchangeriskmanagementclassificationofoutstandingforwardcontractsbyfunctionalcurrencydetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{ma_ForeignExc hangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxis} : U.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Accounts Receivable [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_20102337http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member]ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_CurrencyUSDollarMemberma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAccounts Receiva ble [Member]us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AccountsReceivableMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxis} : U.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Accounts Receivable [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_200944http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member]ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_CurrencyUSDollarMemberma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAccounts Receivabl e [Member]us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AccountsReceivableMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$Othe rnaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7false0us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeAssetsAtFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefals efalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair value as of the balance sheet date of foreign currency derivative assets, which includes all such derivative instruments in hedging and nonhedging relationships that are recognized as assets on the balance sheet.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 10 falsefalse8false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.mastercard.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureforeignexchangeriskmanagementclassificationofoutstandingforwardcontractsbyfunctionalcurrencydetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxis} : U.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Other Current Liabilities [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_20102338http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member]ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_CurrencyUSDollarMemberma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther Current Li abilities [Member]us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxis} : U.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Other Current Liabilities [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_200945http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Dollar Functional Currency [Member]ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_CurrencyUSDollarMemberma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther Current Liab ilities [Member]us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse9false0us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValueus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse falsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-2000000-2falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-2000000-2falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair value as of the balance sheet date of interest rate derivative liabilities, which includes all such derivative instruments in hedging and nonhedging relationships that are recognized as liabilities on the balance sheet.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 10 falsefalse10false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.mastercard.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureforeignexchangeriskmanagementclassificationofoutstandingforwardcontractsbyfunctionalcurrencydetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxis} : Euro Functional Currency [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxis} : Commitments [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_20102340http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseEuro Functional Currency [Member]ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_CurrencyEuroMemberma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseCommitments [Member]us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommitmentsMemberus-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxis} : Euro Functional Currency [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxis} : Commitments [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_200947http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseEuro Functional Currency [Member]ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_CurrencyEuroMemberma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseCommitments [Member]us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommitmentsMemberus-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse11false0us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativePurchaseContractsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse< IsEndingBalance>falsefalse1truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1600000016falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate notional amount of foreign currency derivatives to purchase a foreign currency. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12false0us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeSaleContractsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4500000045falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate notional amount of foreign currency derivatives to sell a foreign currency. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.mastercard.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureforeignexchangeriskmanagementclassificationofoutstandingforwardcontractsbyfunctionalcurrencydetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxis} : U.K. Pound Sterling Currency [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxis} : Commitments [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_20102341http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.K. Pound Sterling Currency [Member]ma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_UKPoundSterlingCurrencyMemberma_ForeignExchangeContractsToPurchaseCurrenciesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseCommitments [Member]us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommitmentsMemberus-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksByFinancialInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse14false0us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeSaleContractsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse< /IsBeginningBalance>falsefalse1truefalsefalse50000005falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate notional amount of foreign currency derivatives to sell a foreign currency. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse1 Amounts represent gross fair value amounts while these amounts may be netted for actual balance sheet presentation. 214Foreign Exchange Risk Management (Classification of Outstanding Forward Contracts by Functional Currency) (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue