2.2.0.25truefalse40602 - Disclosure - Investment Securities (Available-for-Sale Investment Securities, Unrealized Gains and Losses) (Details)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse3/31/2011 USD ($) $As_Of_3_31_2011http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse924000000924falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse934000000934falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse3false0ma_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsmafalsedebitinstantThis item represents the unrealized gain on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1500000015falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1500000015falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the unrealized gain on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse4false0ma_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedLossesmafalsecreditinstantThis item represents the unrealized losses on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-11000000-11[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-12000000-12[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the unrealized losses on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse928000000928falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse937000000937falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFor an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. Such securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity (other comprehensive income), unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain or loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 14 truefalse6false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.mastercard.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureinvestmentsecuritiesavailableforsaleinvestmentsecuritiesunrealizedgainsandlossesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Municipal Bonds [Member] 3/31/2011 USD ($) $As_Of_3_31_2011_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseMunicipal Bonds [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_MunicipalBondsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Municipal Bonds [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_2010_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseMunicipal Bonds [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_MunicipalBondsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse308000000308falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse305000000305falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse8false0ma_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsmafalsedebitinstantThis item represents the unrealized gain on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse90000009falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1000000010falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the unrealized gain on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse9false0ma_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedLossesmafalsecreditinstantThis item represents the unrealized losses on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-1000000-1[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the unrealized losses on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse10false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse316000000316falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse315000000315falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFor an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. Such securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity (other comprehensive income), unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain or loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 14 truefalse11false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.mastercard.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureinvestmentsecuritiesavailableforsaleinvestmentsecuritiesunrealizedgainsandlossesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Taxable Short-Term Bond Funds [Member] 3/31/2011 USD ($) $As_Of_3_31_2011_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis_ma_BondFundsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseTaxable Short-Term Bond Funds [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_BondFundsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Taxable Short-Term Bond Funds [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_2010_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis_ma_BondFundsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseTaxable Short-Term Bond Funds [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldima_BondFundsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse513000000513falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse511000000511falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse13false0ma_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsmafalsedebitinstantThis item represents the unrealized gain on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse60000006falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse50000005falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the unrealized gain on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse14false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse519000000519falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse516000000516falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFor an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. Such securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity (other comprehensive income), unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain or loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 14 truefalse15false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.mastercard.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureinvestmentsecuritiesavailableforsaleinvestmentsecuritiesunrealizedgainsandlossesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Auction Rate Securities [Member] 3/31/2011 USD ($) $As_Of_3_31_2011_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis_us-gaap_AuctionRateSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAuction Rate Securities [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AuctionRateSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Auction Rate Securities [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_2010_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis_us-gaap_AuctionRateSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001141391instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAuction Rate Securities [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AuctionRateSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse16false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse103000000103falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse118000000118falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse17false0ma_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedLossesmafalsecreditinstantThis item represents the unrealized losses on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-10000000-10[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-12000000-12[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the unrealized losses on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse18false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse9300000093falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse106000000106falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFor an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. Such securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity (other comprehensive income), unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain or loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 22 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 14 truefalse1 The unrealized losses primarily relate to ARS, which have been in an unrealized loss position longer than 12 months, but have not been deemed other-than-temporarily impaired. 217Investment Securities (Available-for-Sale Investment Securities, Unrealized Gains and Losses) (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue