Visa (V) 10-Q 24 Jul 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 21, 2014	Jul. 21, 2014	Jul. 21, 2014
		Class A	Class B	Class C
Entity Registrant Name	'VISA INC.	'	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001403161	'	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	494,786,783	245,513,385	25,090,128

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,058	$2,186
Restricted cashblitigation escrow (Note 2)	1,105	49
Investment securities:	'	'
Trading	86	75
Available-for-sale	1,920	1,994
Income tax receivable	26	142
Settlement receivable	775	799
Accounts receivable	824	761
Customer collateral (Note 6)	936	866
Current portion of client incentives	221	282
Deferred tax assets	830	481
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	244	187
Total current assets	9,025	7,822
Investment securities, available-for-sale	2,798	2,760
Client incentives	84	89
Property, equipment and technology, net	1,772	1,732
Other assets	828	521
Intangible assets, net	11,427	11,351
Goodwill	11,741	11,681
Total assets	37,675	35,956
Liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	101	184
Settlement payable	1,307	1,225
Customer collateral (Note 6)	936	866
Accrued compensation and benefits	398	523
Client incentives	902	919
Accrued liabilities	610	613
Accrued litigation (Note 13)	1,060	5
Total current liabilities	5,314	4,335
Deferred tax liabilities	4,170	4,149
Other liabilities (Note 8)	905	602
Total liabilities	10,389	9,086
Equity	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 25 shares authorized and none issued	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	18,393	18,875
Accumulated income	8,909	7,974
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net:	'	'
Investment securities, available-for-sale	58	59
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans	-68	-60
Derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges	-5	23
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-1	-1
Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net	-16	21
Total equity	27,286	26,870
Total liabilities and equity	37,675	35,956
Class A common stock	'	'
Equity	'	'
Common stock	'	'
Class B common stock	'	'
Equity	'	'
Common stock	'	'
Class C common stock	'	'
Equity	'	'
Common stock	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Preferred Stock	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	25	25
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'
Class A common stock	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	2,001,622	2,001,622
Common stock, shares issued	496	508
Common stock, shares outstanding	496	508
Class B common stock	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	622	622
Common stock, shares issued	245	245
Common stock, shares outstanding	245	245
Class C common stock	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	1,097	1,097
Common stock, shares issued	25	27
Common stock, shares outstanding	25	27

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating Revenues	'		'		'	'
Service revenues	$1,417		$1,298		$4,298	$3,967
Data processing revenues	1,321		1,191		3,819	3,456
International transaction revenues	860		854		2,622	2,490
Other revenues	195		179		558	533
Client incentives	-638		-521		-1,824	-1,641
Total operating revenues	3,155		3,001		9,473	8,805
Operating Expenses	'		'		'	'
Personnel	463		493		1,379	1,433
Marketing	228		252		659	640
Network and processing	127		117		379	346
Professional fees	82		103		234	282
Depreciation and amortization	109		101		323	291
General and administrative	126		108		354	322
Litigation provision (Note 13)	'		-1		'	3
Total operating expenses	1,135		1,173		3,328	3,317
Operating income	2,020		1,828		6,145	5,488
Non-operating income	10		5		29	3
Income before income taxes	2,030		1,833		6,174	5,491
Income tax provision	670		608		1,809	1,703
Net income	$1,360		$1,225		$4,365	$3,788
Class A common stock	'		'		'	'
Earnings Per Share	'		'		'	'
Basic earnings per share (Note 10)	$2.17	[1]	$1.89	[1]	$6.91	$5.76	[1]
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 10)	496	[1]	515	[1]	500	524	[1]
Diluted earnings per share (Note 10)	$2.17	[1]	$1.88	[1]	$6.89	$5.74	[1]
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 10)	628	[1],[2]	651	[1],[2]	633	660	[1],[2]
Class B common stock	'		'		'	'
Earnings Per Share	'		'		'	'
Basic earnings per share (Note 10)	$0.91	[1]	$0.79	[1]	$2.91	$2.42	[1]
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 10)	245	[1]	245	[1]	245	245	[1]
Diluted earnings per share (Note 10)	$0.91	[1]	$0.79	[1]	$2.90	$2.41	[1]
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 10)	245	[1]	245	[1]	245	245	[1]
Class C common stock	'		'		'	'
Earnings Per Share	'		'		'	'
Basic earnings per share (Note 10)	$2.17	[1]	$1.89	[1]	$6.91	$5.76	[1]
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 10)	26	[1]	28	[1]	26	29	[1]
Diluted earnings per share (Note 10)	$2.17	[1]	$1.88	[1]	$6.89	$5.74	[1]
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 10)	26	[1]	28	[1]	26	29	[1]
[1]	Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Earnings per share is calculated based on whole numbers, not the rounded numbers presented.
[2]	Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are calculated on an as-converted basis, and include incremental common stock equivalents, as calculated under the treasury stock method. The computation includes approximately 2 million of common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, because their effect would be dilutive. The calculation excludes less than 1 million of common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended JuneB 30, 2014 and 2013, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net income	$1,360	$1,225	$4,365	$3,788
Investment securities, available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized (loss) gain	-30	-10	-2	40
Income tax effect	11	1	1	-16
Reclassification adjustment for net gain realized in net income	'	'	'	-1
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans:	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized actuarial loss and prior service credit	'	-1	-7	-4
Income tax effect	'	'	3	1
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain) and prior service credit realized in net income	'	4	-7	12
Income tax effect	'	-1	3	-4
Derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges:	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized (loss) gain	-14	40	3	55
Income tax effect	3	-9	'	-9
Reclassification adjustment for net gain realized in net income	-16	-9	-39	-26
Income tax effect	4	2	8	7
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-42	17	-37	55
Comprehensive income	$1,318	$1,242	$4,328	$3,843

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $)		Total		Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Class A common stock	Class B common stock	Class C common stock
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Common Stock	Common Stock	Common Stock
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2013		$26,870		$18,875	$7,974	$21	'	'	'
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013		'		'	'	'	508	245	27
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]		'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income		4,365	[1],[2]	'	4,365	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		-37		'	'	-37	'	'	'
Comprehensive income		4,328		'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock awards (in shares)	[3]	'		'	'	'	1	'	'
Conversion of class C common stock upon sale into public market (in shares)		'		'	'	'	2	'	-2
Share-based compensation		130		130	'	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit for share-based compensation		82		82	'	'	'	'	'
Cash proceeds from exercise of stock options (in shares)		'		'	'	'	1	'	'
Cash proceeds from exercise of stock options		81		81	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes (in shares)	[3]	'		'	'	'	0	'	'
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes	[3]	-85		-85	'	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared and paid, at a quarterly amount of $0.40 per as-converted share (Note 9)		-758		'	-758	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 9) (in shares)		-16	[4]	'	'	'	-16	'	'
Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 9)		-3,362		-690	-2,672	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2014		$27,286		$18,393	$8,909	($16)	'	'	'
Ending Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2014		'		'	'	'	496	245	25
[1]	Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Earnings per share is calculated based on whole numbers, not the rounded numbers presented.
[2]	Net income is allocated based on proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 103 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
[3]	1)B Decrease in class A common stock is less than 1 million shares.
[4]	All shares repurchased in the open market have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
	Class A common stock
	Common Stock
	Maximum
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes (in shares)	1

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating Activities	'	'
Net income	$4,365	$3,788
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Amortization of client incentives	1,824	1,641
Share-based compensation	130	139
Excess tax benefit for share-based compensation	-82	-64
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets	323	291
Deferred income taxes	-358	1,562
Other	10	42
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Income tax receivable	116	-421
Settlement receivable	24	-5
Accounts receivable	-55	-56
Client incentives	-1,775	-1,700
Other assets	-434	-310
Accounts payable	-86	5
Settlement payable	82	98
Accrued and other liabilities	273	351
Accrued litigation (Note 13)	1,055	-4,384
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,412	977
Investing Activities	'	'
Purchases of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets	-326	-333
Investment securities, available-for-sale:	'	'
Purchases	-1,842	-2,789
Proceeds from sales and maturities	1,863	1,767
Acquisition, net of cash received of $25	-134	'
Purchases of / contributions to other investments	-3	-3
Proceeds / distributions from other investments	'	4
Net cash used in investing activities	-442	-1,354
Financing Activities	'	'
Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 9)	-3,362	-4,054
Dividends paid (Note 9)	-758	-653
(Return to) payments from litigation escrow accountbretrospective responsibility plan (Note 2 and Note 13)	-1,056	4,383
Cash proceeds from exercise of stock options	81	98
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes	-85	-64
Excess tax benefit for share-based compensation	82	64
Payment for earn-out related to PlaySpan acquisition	'	-12
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	'	-6
Net cash used in financing activities	-5,098	-244
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-128	-621
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,186	2,074
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,058	1,453
Supplemental Disclosure	'	'
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	1,943	478
Non-cash accruals related to purchases of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets	$42	$27

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]	'
Cash Acquired from Acquisition	$25

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Organization. Visa Inc. (“Visa” or the “Company”) is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments. Visa and its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries, including Visa U.S.A. Inc. (“Visa U.S.A.”), Visa International Service Association (“Visa International”), Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited, Visa Canada Corporation, Inovant LLC and CyberSource Corporation (“CyberSource”), operate one of the world’s most advanced processing networks — VisaNet — which facilitates authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions worldwide. VisaNet also offers fraud protection for account holders and assured payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for account holders on Visa-branded cards and payment products. In most cases, account holder and merchant relationships belong to, and are managed by, Visa's financial institution clients. Visa provides a wide variety of payment solutions that support payment products that issuers can offer to their account holders: pay now with debit, pay ahead with prepaid or pay later with credit products. Visa also offers a growing suite of innovative digital, eCommerce and mobile products and services. These services facilitate transactions on Visa's network among account holders, merchants, financial institutions and governments in mature and emerging markets globally.
	Consolidation and basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Visa and its consolidated entities and are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company consolidates its majority-owned and controlled entities, including variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s investments in VIEs have not been material to its consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all of the annual disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Reference should be made to the Visa Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.
	Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.
	In January 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-01, which clarifies the scope of ASU 2011-11. As amended, ASU 2011-11 requires disclosure of the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on a Company's financial position as well as enhanced disclosure of the rights of offset associated with a Company's recognized derivative instruments, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and lending transactions. The amended standard impacts presentation only. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2013. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, which established the effective date for the requirement to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income. The standard impacts presentation only and does not impact the underlying components of other comprehensive income or net income. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2013. Beginning with fiscal 2014, the components related to pension and postretirement benefit plans are presented on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. All prior period information has been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2014. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, which clarifies the applicable guidance for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity, or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2014. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, which provides guidance for the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2014. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is evaluating the full effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, which requires a performance target in stock compensation awards that affects vesting, and is achievable after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2016. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Retrospective_Responsibility_P

Retrospective Responsibility Plan	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Retrospective Responsibility Plan [Abstract]	'
Retrospective Responsibility Plan	'
	Note 2—Retrospective Responsibility Plan
	Under the terms of the retrospective responsibility plan, the Company maintains an escrow account from which settlements of, or judgments in, the covered litigation are paid. See Note 13—Legal Matters.
	On January 14, 2014, the court entered the final judgment order approving the settlement with the class plaintiffs in the interchange multidistrict litigation proceedings, which is subject to the adjudication of any appeals. Takedown payments of approximately $1.1 billion related to the opt-out merchants were received on January 27, 2014, and were deposited into the litigation escrow account. The deposit into the litigation escrow account and a related increase in accrued litigation to address opt-out claims were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
		Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013
		(in millions)
	Balance at October 1	$	49	$	4,432
	Return of takedown payments to the litigation escrow account	1,056		—
	Payments to settlement funds(1)
	Class plaintiffs	—		(4,033		)
	Individual plaintiffs	—		(350		)
	Balance at June 30	$	1,105	$	49
	(1)	Payments made in fiscal 2013 are associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation. See Note 13—Legal Matters.
	The accrual related to the covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the litigation escrow account balance. The Company did not record any additional accruals for the covered litigation during the three months ended June 30, 2014. See Note 13—Legal Matters.

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_In

Fair Value Measurements and Investments	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements and Investments	'
	Note 3—Fair Value Measurements and Investments
	Fair Value Measurements
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
		Fair Value Measurements
		Using Inputs Considered as
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
		June 30,		September 30,		June 30,		September 30,		June 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents and restricted cash:
	Money market funds	$	1,972	$	1,071
	Commercial paper					$	58	$	51
	Investment securities, trading:
	Equity securities	86		75
	Investment securities, available-for-sale:
	U.S. government-sponsored debt securities					2,263		2,704
	U.S. Treasury securities	1,876		1,673
	Equity securities	101		101
	Corporate debt securities					471		269
	Auction rate securities									$	7	$	7
	Prepaid and other current assets:
	Foreign exchange derivative instruments					6		23
	Total	$	4,035	$	2,920	$	2,798	$	3,047	$	7	$	7
	Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities:
	Visa Europe put option									$	145	$	145
	Foreign exchange derivative instruments					$	32	$	15
	Total	$	—	$	—	$	32	$	15	$	145	$	145
	There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets during the nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Level 1 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Money market funds, publicly-traded equity securities and U.S. Treasury securities are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy, as fair value is based on quoted prices in active markets. The increase in the Company's level 1 assets primarily reflects the receipt of takedown payments related to the interchange multidistrict litigation, which were deposited into the Company's litigation escrow account. See Note 2—Retrospective Responsibility Plan and Note 13—Legal Matters.
	Level 2 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of U.S. government-sponsored debt securities and corporate debt securities, as provided by third-party pricing vendors, is based on quoted prices in active markets for similar, not identical, assets. The pricing data obtained from outside sources is reviewed internally for reasonableness, compared against benchmark quotes from independent pricing sources, then confirmed or revised accordingly. Commercial paper and foreign exchange derivative instruments are valued using inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. There were no substantive changes to the valuation techniques and related inputs used to measure fair value during the nine months ended June 30, 2014.
	Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Auction rate securities are classified as Level 3 due to a lack of trading in active markets and a lack of observable inputs in measuring fair value. There were no substantive changes to the valuation techniques and related inputs used to measure fair value during the nine months ended June 30, 2014.
	Visa Europe put option agreement. The Company has granted Visa Europe a perpetual put option, or the put option, which, if exercised, will require Visa Inc. to purchase all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Visa Europe from its members. The put option provides a formula for determining the purchase price of the Visa Europe shares, which, subject to certain adjustments, applies Visa Inc.’s forward price-to-earnings multiple (as defined in the put option agreement), or the P/E ratio, at the time the option is exercised, to Visa Europe’s adjusted net income for the forward 12-month period (as defined in the put option agreement), or the adjusted sustainable income. The calculation of Visa Europe’s adjusted sustainable income under the terms of the put option agreement includes potentially material adjustments for cost synergies and other negotiated items. Upon exercise, the key inputs to this formula, including Visa Europe’s adjusted sustainable income, will be the result of negotiation between the Company and Visa Europe. The put option provides an arbitration mechanism in the event that the two parties are unable to agree on the ultimate purchase price.
	The fair value of the put option represents the value of Visa Europe’s option, which under certain conditions could obligate the Company to purchase its member equity interest for an amount above fair value. While the put option is in fact non-transferable, its fair value represents the Company’s estimate of the amount the Company would be required to pay a third-party market participant to transfer the potential obligation in an orderly transaction at the measurement date. The valuation of the put option therefore requires substantial judgment. The most subjective estimates applied in valuing the put option are the assumed probability that Visa Europe will elect to exercise its option and the estimated differential between the P/E ratio and the P/E ratio applicable to Visa Europe on a standalone basis at the time of exercise, or the P/E differential. The liability is classified within Level 3, as the assumed probability that Visa Europe will elect to exercise its option, the estimated P/E differential, and other inputs used to value the put option are unobservable.
	At June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the Company determined the fair value of the put option to be $145 million. While $145 million represents the fair value of the put option at June 30, 2014, it does not represent the actual purchase price that the Company may be required to pay if the option is exercised, which could be several billion dollars or more. During the nine months ended June 30, 2014, there were no changes to the valuation methodology used to estimate the fair value of the put option. At June 30, 2014, the key unobservable inputs included a 40% probability of exercise by Visa Europe at some point in the future and an estimated P/E differential of 1.9x. At June 30, 2014, the Company's spot P/E was 20.3x, and there was a differential of 1.5x between this ratio and the estimated spot ratio applicable to Visa Europe. These ratios are for reference only and are not necessarily indicative of the ratio or differential that could be applicable if the put option were exercised at any point in the future. The use of an assumed probability of exercise that is 5% higher than the Company's estimate would have resulted in an increase of approximately $18 million in the value of the put option. An increase of 1.0x in the assumed P/E differential would have resulted in an increase of approximately $84 million in the value of the put option.
	The put option is exercisable at any time at the sole discretion of Visa Europe. As such, the put option liability is included in accrued liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2014. Classification in current liabilities is not an indication of management’s expectation of exercise and simply reflects the fact that the obligation resulting from the exercise of the instrument could become payable within 12 months. Any non-cash changes in fair value are recorded in non-operating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of operations.
	Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis.
	Non-marketable equity investments and investments accounted for under the equity method. These investments are classified as Level 3 due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity, and the fact that inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable and require management's judgment. When certain events or circumstances indicate that impairment may exist, the Company revalues the investments using various assumptions, including the financial metrics and ratios of comparable public companies. There were no
	events or circumstances that indicated these investments became impaired during the nine months ended June 30, 2014. During the nine months ended June 30, 2013, the Company recognized a $15 million other-than-temporary impairment loss. At June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, these investments totaled $32 million and $30 million, respectively. These assets are classified in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
	Non-financial assets and liabilities. Long-lived assets such as goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, finite-lived intangible assets, and property, equipment and technology are considered non-financial assets. The Company does not have any non-financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Finite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationships, tradenames and reseller relationships, all of which were obtained through acquisitions.
	If the Company were required to perform a quantitative assessment for impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, the fair values would generally be estimated using an income approach. As the assumptions employed to measure these assets on a non-recurring basis are based on management's judgment using internal and external data, these fair value determinations are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Company completed its annual impairment review of its indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill as of February 1, 2014, and concluded that there was no impairment. No recent events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment existed at June 30, 2014.
	Other Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value
	The following financial instruments are not measured at fair value on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2014, but require disclosure of their fair values: time deposits recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets, settlement receivable and payable, and customer collateral. The estimated fair value of such instruments at June 30, 2014, approximates their carrying value due to their generally short maturities. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, these financial instruments would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Investments
	Available-for-sale investment securities
	The Company had $91 million in gross unrealized gains at June 30, 2014. There were $93 million gross unrealized gains and $1 million gross unrealized losses at September 30, 2013. The gross unrealized gains at June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 primarily relate to the Company's available-for-sale equity securities. A majority of the Company's available-for-sale investment securities with stated maturities are due within one to three years.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Note 4—Debt
	Credit facility. On January 29, 2014, the Company entered into an unsecured $3.0 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility, which expires on January 28, 2015, replaced the Company's previous $3.0 billion credit facility, which terminated on January 29, 2014. The Credit Facility contains covenants and events of default customary for facilities of this type. This facility is maintained to provide liquidity in the event of settlement failures by the Company's clients, to back up the commercial paper program and for general corporate purposes. The participating lenders in the Credit Facility include certain holders of the Company's class B and class C common stock, certain of the Company's clients, and their affiliates.
	Interest on borrowings under the Credit Facility would be charged at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or an alternative base rate, in each case plus applicable margins that fluctuate based on the applicable credit rating of the Company's senior unsecured long-term debt. Visa also agreed to pay a commitment fee, which will fluctuate based on the credit rating of the Company's senior unsecured long-term debt. Currently, the applicable margin is 0.00% to 0.75% depending on the type of the loan, and the commitment fee is 0.07%. There were no borrowings under either facility and the Company was in compliance with all related covenants during the nine months ended June 30, 2014.

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	'
	Note 5—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
	The Company sponsors various qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans that provide for retirement and medical benefits for substantially all employees residing in the United States.
	The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
		Pension Benefits												Other Postretirement Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,						June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Service cost	$	11		$	10		$	34		$	32		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Interest cost	10			9			31			27			—			—			—			—
	Expected return on assets	(17		)	(16		)	(51		)	(47		)	—			—			—			—
	Amortization of:
	Prior service credit	(2		)	(2		)	(6		)	(7		)	—			(1		)	(2		)	(2		)
	Actuarial loss (gain)	1			8			1			22			(1		)	—			(1		)	—
	Net benefit cost	$	3		$	9		$	9		$	27		$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	(3	)	$	(2	)
	Curtailment gain	—			—			(3		)	—			—			—			—			—
	Settlement loss	2			—			3			—			—			—			—			—
	Total net periodic benefit cost	$	5		$	9		$	9		$	27		$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	(3	)	$	(2	)

Settlement_Guarantee_Managemen

Settlement Guarantee Management	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Settlement Guarantee Management [Abstract]	'
Settlement Guarantee Management	'
	Note 6—Settlement Guarantee Management
	The indemnification for settlement losses that Visa provides to its financial institution clients creates settlement risk for the Company due to the difference in timing between the date of a payment transaction and the date of subsequent settlement. The exposure to settlement losses through Visa's settlement indemnification is accounted for as a settlement risk guarantee. The Company’s settlement exposure is limited to the amount of unsettled Visa payment transactions at any point in time. The Company requires certain financial institution clients that do not meet its credit standards to post collateral to offset potential loss from their estimated unsettled transactions. The Company’s estimated maximum settlement exposure was $54.5 billion at June 30, 2014, compared to $53.8 billion at September 30, 2013. Of these settlement exposure amounts, $3.0 billion were covered by collateral at June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013.
	The Company maintained collateral as follows:
		June 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Cash equivalents	$	936	$	866
	Pledged securities at market value	166		256
	Letters of credit	1,239		1,191
	Guarantees	1,547		1,411
	Total	$	3,888	$	3,724
	The total available collateral balances presented in the table above were greater than the settlement exposure covered by customer collateral held due to instances in which the available collateral exceeded the total settlement exposure for certain financial institutions at each date presented.
	The fair value of the settlement risk guarantee is estimated based on a proprietary probability-weighted model and was approximately $2 million at June 30, 2014 and $1 million at September 30, 2013. These amounts are reflected in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Note 7—Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	In April 2014, the Company acquired a business in which it previously held a minority interest. Total purchase consideration was approximately $170 million, paid primarily with cash on hand. Total purchase consideration has been allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets and to liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values on the acquisition date. Related indefinite-lived intangible assets recorded totaled $126 million. Goodwill of $60 million was recorded to reflect the excess purchase consideration over net assets assumed.

Other_Liabilities

Other Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Liabilities	'
	Note 8—Other Liabilities
	Other non-current liabilities consisted of the following:
		June 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Accrued income taxes(1)	$	758	$	453
	Employee benefits	86		86
	Other	61		63
	Total	$	905	$	602
	(1)	The increase in non-current accrued income taxes is due to an increase in liabilities for uncertain tax positions.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Note 9—Stockholders' Equity
	The number of shares of each class and the number of shares of class A common stock on an as-converted basis at June 30, 2014, are as follows:
	(in millions, except conversion rate)	Shares Outstanding			Conversion Rate		As-converted Class A Common
					Into Class A		Stock(1)
					Common Stock
	Class A common stock	496			—		496
	Class B common stock	245			0.4206		103
	Class C common stock	25			1		25
	Total						624
	(1)	Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted class A common stock is calculated based on whole numbers, not the rounded numbers presented.
	Reduction in as-converted class A common stock.
	The following table presents share repurchases in the open market.
	(in millions, except per share data)		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014			Nine Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Shares repurchased in the open market (1)		6			16
	Weighted-average repurchase price per share		$	207.13		$	207.9
	Total cost		$	1,152		$	3,362
	(1)	All shares repurchased in the open market have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.
	As of June 30, 2014, the October 2013 program had remaining authorized funds of $1.9 billion for share repurchase. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to October 2013 have been completed.
	Dividends. In July 2014, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share of class A common stock (determined in the case of class B and class C common stock on an as-converted basis), which will be paid on September 3, 2014, to all holders of record of the Company's class A, B and C common stock as of August 15, 2014. The Company declared and paid $758 million in dividends during the nine months ended June 30, 2014.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Note 10—Earnings Per Share
	The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2014.(1)
		Basic Earnings Per Share					Diluted Earnings Per Share
		(in millions, except per share data)
		Income		Weighted-	Earnings per		Income		Weighted-		Earnings per
		Allocation		Average	Share =font>		Allocation		Average		Share =font>
		(A)(2)		Shares	(A)/(B)		(A)(2)		Shares		(A)/(B)
				Outstanding (B)					Outstanding (B)
	Class A common stock	$	1,076	496	$	2.17	$	1,360	628	(3)	$	2.17
	Class B common stock	224		245	$	0.91	$	224	245		$	0.91
	Class C common stock	56		26	$	2.17	$	56	26		$	2.17
	Participating securities(4)	4		Not presented	Not presented		$	4	Not presented		Not presented
	Net income	$	1,360
	The following table presents earnings per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2014.(1)
		Basic Earnings Per Share					Diluted Earnings Per Share
		(in millions, except per share data)
		Income		Weighted-	Earnings per		Income		Weighted-		Earnings per
		Allocation		Average	Share =font>		Allocation		Average		Share =font>
		(A)(2)		Shares	(A)/(B)		(A)(2)		Shares		(A)/(B)
				Outstanding (B)					Outstanding (B)
	Class A common stock	$	3,458	500	$	6.91	$	4,365	633	(3)	$	6.89
	Class B common stock	714		245	$	2.91	$	712	245		$	2.9
	Class C common stock	180		26	$	6.91	$	180	26		$	6.89
	Participating securities(4)	13		Not presented	Not presented		$	13	Not presented		Not presented
	Net income	$	4,365
	The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2013.(1)
		Basic Earnings Per Share					Diluted Earnings Per Share
		(in millions, except per share data)
		Income		Weighted-	Earnings per		Income		Weighted-		Earnings per
		Allocation		Average	Share =font>		Allocation		Average		Share =font>
		(A)(2)		Shares	(A)/(B)		(A)(2)		Shares		(A)/(B)
				Outstanding (B)					Outstanding (B)
	Class A common stock	$	973	515	$	1.89	$	1,225	651	(3)	$	1.88
	Class B common stock	194		245	$	0.79	$	194	245		$	0.79
	Class C common stock	53		28	$	1.89	$	53	28		$	1.88
	Participating securities(4)	5		Not presented	Not presented		$	5	Not presented		Not presented
	Net income	$	1,225
	The following table presents earnings per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2013.(1)
		Basic Earnings Per Share					Diluted Earnings Per Share
		(in millions, except per share data)
		Income		Weighted-	Earnings per		Income		Weighted-		Earnings per
		Allocation		Average	Share =font>		Allocation		Average		Share =font>
		(A)(2)		Shares	(A)/(B)		(A)(2)		Shares		(A)/(B)
				Outstanding (B)					Outstanding (B)
	Class A common stock	$	3,014	524	$	5.76	$	3,788	660	(3)	$	5.74
	Class B common stock	594		245	$	2.42	$	592	245		$	2.41
	Class C common stock	166		29	$	5.76	$	165	29		$	5.74
	Participating securities(4)	14		Not presented	Not presented		$	14	Not presented		Not presented
	Net income	$	3,788
	(1)	Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Earnings per share is calculated based on whole numbers, not the rounded numbers presented.
	(2)	Net income is allocated based on proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 103 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	(3)	Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are calculated on an as-converted basis, and include incremental common stock equivalents, as calculated under the treasury stock method. The computation includes approximately 2 million of common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, because their effect would be dilutive. The calculation excludes less than 1 million of common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
	(4)	Participating securities are unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, such as the Company's restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and earned performance-based shares.

Sharebased_Compensation

Share-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Share-based Compensation	'
	Note 11—Share-based Compensation
	The Company granted the following equity awards to employees and non-employee directors under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan during the nine months ended June 30, 2014:
		Granted	Weighted-Average		Weighted-Average
			Grant Date Fair		Exercise Price
			Value
	Non-qualified stock options	423,149	$	44.16	$	201.02
	Restricted stock awards ("RSAs")	584,611	$	199.32
	Restricted stock units ("RSUs")	225,604	$	197.69
	Performance-based shares(1)	278,451	$	225.46
	(1)	Represents the maximum number of performance-based shares which could be earned.
	The Company’s non-qualified stock options, RSAs and RSUs are equity awards with service-only conditions and are accordingly expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company's performance-based shares are equity awards with service, market and performance conditions that are accounted for using the graded-vesting method. Compensation cost is recorded net of estimated forfeitures, which are adjusted as appropriate.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 12—Income Taxes
	The effective income tax rates were 33% and 29% for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and 33% and 31% for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 30, 2014 differs from the effective tax rate in the same period in fiscal 2013 primarily due to:
	•	a $245 million tax benefit related to the deduction for U.S. domestic production activities, of which $189 million related to prior fiscal years, as a result of the completion of a study in the second quarter of fiscal 2014; and
	•	the absence of a $76 million tax benefit recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2013, as a result of new guidance issued by the state of California regarding apportionment rules for years prior to fiscal 2012.
	During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014, the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits increased by $43 million and $223 million, respectively, $42 million and $219 million of which, respectively, would favorably impact the effective income tax rate if recognized. The increase in gross unrecognized tax benefits is primarily due to potential audit exposure related to various tax positions across several jurisdictions. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014, the Company accrued $4 million and $8 million of interest, respectively, and released $1 million and $2 million of penalties, respectively, related to uncertain tax positions.

Legal_Matters

Legal Matters	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Legal Matters [Abstract]	'
Legal Matters	'
	Note 13—Legal Matters
	The Company is party to various legal and regulatory proceedings. Some of these proceedings involve complex claims that are subject to substantial uncertainties and unascertainable damages. Accordingly, except as disclosed, the Company has not established reserves or ranges of possible loss related to these proceedings, as at this time in the proceedings, the matters do not relate to a probable loss and/or the amount or range of losses are not reasonably estimable. Although the Company believes that it has strong defenses for the litigation and regulatory proceedings described below, it could, in the future, incur judgments or fines or enter into settlements of claims that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. From time to time, the Company may engage in settlement discussions or mediations with respect to one or more of its outstanding litigation matters, either on its own behalf or collectively with other parties.
	The litigation accrual is an estimate and is based on management’s understanding of its litigation profile, the specifics of each case, advice of counsel to the extent appropriate and management’s best estimate of incurred loss as of the balance sheet date.
	The following table summarizes activity related to accrued litigation.
		Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013
		(in millions)
	Balance at October 1	$	5		$	4,386
	Provision for unsettled matters	—			3
	Reestablishment of obligation related to interchange multidistrict litigation(1)	1,056			—
	Payment on unsettled matters(1)	—			(4,033		)
	Payment on settled matters	(1		)	(351		)
	Balance at June 30	$	1,060		$	5
	(1)	In fiscal 2013, the Company paid approximately $4.0 billion from the litigation escrow account into a settlement fund established pursuant to the definitive class settlement agreement in the interchange multidistrict litigation. Under the settlement agreement, if class members opt-out (“opt-out merchants”) of the damages portion of the class settlement, the defendants are entitled to receive payments of no more than 25% of the original cash payments made into the settlement fund, based on the percentage of payment card sales volume for a defined period attributable to merchants who opted out (the "takedown payments"). On January 14, 2014, the court entered the final judgment order approving the settlement with the class plaintiffs in the interchange multidistrict litigation proceedings, which is subject to the adjudication of any appeals. Takedown payments of approximately $1.1 billion were received on January 27, 2014, and deposited into the Company’s litigation escrow account. The deposit into the litigation escrow account and a related increase in accrued litigation to address opt-out claims were recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. See further discussion below.
	Covered Litigation
	Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. and Visa International are parties to certain legal proceedings that are covered by the retrospective responsibility plan, which the Company refers to as the covered litigation. See Note 2—Retrospective Responsibility Plan. An accrual for the covered litigation and a charge to the litigation provision are recorded when loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. In making this determination, the Company evaluates available information, including but not limited to actions taken by the litigation committee.
	The Attridge Litigation
	On April 8, 2014, in light of the proceedings in the Credit/Debit Card Tying Cases, the Attridge case was stayed until thirty days following final resolution of the pending appeals in the Credit/Debit Card Tying Cases.
	Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)
	On December 13, 2013, the district court issued a memorandum and order approving the Settlement Agreement with the class plaintiffs. On January 14, 2014, the court entered the final judgment order approving the settlement. A number of objectors to the settlement have appealed from that order. Until the appeals are finally adjudicated, no assurance can be provided that the Company will be able to resolve the class plaintiffs' claims as contemplated by the Settlement Agreement. On January 27, 2014, Visa's portion of the takedown payments related to the opt-out merchants, which was calculated to be approximately $1.1 billion, was deposited into the litigation escrow account.
	Interchange Opt-out Litigation
	Beginning in May 2013, more than 30 opt-out cases have been filed by hundreds of merchants in various federal district courts, generally pursuing damages claims on allegations similar to those raised in MDL 1720. A similar case has been filed by merchants in Texas state court. A number of the cases also include allegations that Visa has monopolized, attempted to monopolize, and/or conspired to monopolize debit card-related market segments, and one of the cases seeks an injunction against the fixed acquirer network fee. The cases name as defendants Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A., Visa International, MasterCard Incorporated, and MasterCard International Incorporated, although some also include certain U.S. financial institutions as defendants. On March 25, 2014, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and its subsidiaries filed an opt-out complaint against Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A., and Visa International in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas alleging similar claims. On June 13, 2014, Wal-Mart filed an amended complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York adding Visa Europe Limited and Visa Europe Services Inc. as defendants. All the cases originally filed in federal court either were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and have been assigned to the judge presiding over MDL 1720, or have been transferred by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation for inclusion in MDL 1720. Visa removed the Texas state court case to federal court and sought to transfer it to MDL 1720, but the federal court remanded the case to Texas state court before the case could be transferred to MDL 1720. Cases that are transferred to or otherwise included in MDL 1720 will be covered litigation for purposes of the retrospective responsibility plan. See Note 2—Retrospective Responsibility Plan.
	On January 14, 2014, Visa filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against The Home Depot, Inc. and Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. seeking a declaration that, from January 1, 2004 to November 27, 2012, the time period for which opt-outs may seek damages under the MDL class settlement, Visa's conduct in, among other things, continuing to set default interchange rates, maintaining its "honor all cards" rule, enforcing certain rules relating to merchants, and restructuring itself, did not violate federal or state antitrust laws. The case has been assigned to the same district court judge presiding over MDL 1720.
	On February 12, 2014, the court entered an order confirming that In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, 1:05-md-01720-JG-JO (E.D.N.Y.), includes all current and future actions transferred to MDL 1720 by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation or other order of any court for inclusion in coordinated or pretrial proceedings, and all actions filed in the Eastern District of New York that arise out of operative facts as alleged in the cases subject to the transfer orders of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
	On March 13, 2014, Visa and the other defendants in the opt-out cases in MDL 1720 filed a motion to dismiss the then-pending opt-out complaints in MDL 1720. Also on March 13, 2014, Wal-Mart and the named class representatives that are defendants in the declaratory judgment cases in MDL 1720 filed motions to dismiss the declaratory judgment complaints. On June 26, 2014, Visa filed a motion to dismiss Wal-Mart's amended complaint. On July 18, 2014, the court denied all of these motions to dismiss.
	Consumer Interchange Litigation
	On December 16, 2013, a putative class action was filed in federal district court in California against certain financial institutions alleging that they conspired to fix interchange fees and imposed other alleged restraints on competition. The complaint was filed on behalf of four named plaintiffs and an alleged class of all Visa and MasterCard payment cardholders in the United States since January 1, 2000. Although no Visa entity is named as a defendant, the complaint identifies Visa U.S.A., MasterCard, and certain non-defendant financial institutions as co-conspirators, and plaintiffs assert that they may seek leave to amend the complaint to add the co-conspirators as defendants. Plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees, and treble damages allegedly to compensate the purported class for more than $54.0 billion dollars in purported overcharges imposed on them each year by defendants and their alleged co-conspirators. On March 28, 2014, the Defendants filed a motion to dismiss. After the Clerk of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation declined to transfer the case to MDL 1720, defendants filed a motion with the Panel seeking transfer of the case to MDL 1720. On June 4, 2014, the motion was granted, and the case was transferred to MDL 1720.
	Other Litigation
	Vale Canjeable
	On December 9, 2013, the Constitutional Chamber reversed the Commercial Chamber’s judgment and issued a final decision. The Constitutional Chamber ruled that the “Vale” mark is distinctive and Visa’s mark, “Visa Vale” infringed the plaintiff’s mark, but the plaintiff suffered no damages as a result of the infringement. The ruling permits the plaintiff to seek its costs from the defendants in relation to certain appeals filed by the defendants.
	European Competition Proceedings
	European Commission. On February 26, 2014, after public consultation, the European Commission (EC) adopted a formal decision accepting Visa Europe’s commitments addressing domestic interchange, cross-border interchange for credit card transactions within Europe, and cross-border acquiring within Europe, and made the commitments legally binding on Visa Europe. The EC continues the proceedings in respect of inter-regional interchange fees that apply to transactions involving a Visa credit cardholder from outside the Visa Europe territory and a merchant in the European Economic Area (EEA). These interchange fees are set by Visa Inc.
	U.K. Merchant Litigation. Since November 2013, Visa Inc., Visa International, and Visa Europe have been put on notice of additional claims on behalf of approximately 12 merchants, all of which have entered into standstill agreements with Visa Europe, Visa Inc., and Visa International.
	Additionally, since December 2013, six further merchants (or groups of merchant companies) have issued claims against Visa Inc., Visa International, and Visa Europe. The claimants seek damages for alleged anti-competitive conduct relating to interchange fees for credit and debit cards covering the UK and/or various other European jurisdictions. Three of those claims have been served subsequently, and three have not been served (although two of these are subject to agreements dated April 14, 2014 to extend the time for service).
	Altogether, therefore, a total of 18 merchants (or groups of merchant companies) have, to date, filed claims against Visa Inc., Visa International, and Visa Europe relating to interchange rates in Europe, and seek damages for alleged anti-competitive conduct relating to U.K. domestic, Irish domestic, and intra-EEA interchange fees for credit and debit cards. Of those, 15 of the claims have been served. Merchants accounting for more than 50% of U.K. retail sales have either claimed or preserved their right to do so. The amount of interchange being challenged is substantial. Although the full scope of the claims is not yet known, and Visa has substantial defenses to these claims, the total damages sought in the 15 served claims exceed several billion dollars.
	Visa Europe is obligated to indemnify Visa Inc. and Visa International in connection with the European Competition Proceedings, in our opinion, including payment of any fines that may be imposed. However, Visa Europe has expressed an "initial" view that it is not obligated to indemnify Visa Inc. or Visa International for any claim in the European Competition Proceedings, including claims asserted in both the European Commission matter and the U.K. Merchant Litigation. Visa Inc. continues to firmly believe that Visa Europe is obligated to indemnify for all such claims, and has been in discussions with Visa Europe to resolve this issue. While the parties are not currently in non-binding arbitration, both parties have initiated the executive engagement aspect of the dispute resolution procedure contemplated by the Framework Agreement to resolve their dispute regarding this indemnification issue.
	Canadian Competition Proceedings
	Merchant Litigation. In the British Columbia lawsuit, a hearing on class certification commenced on April 22, 2013 and concluded on May 1, 2013. The lawsuits in Quebec and Ontario are being held in abeyance pending further proceedings in the British Columbia lawsuit. In Alberta and Saskatchewan, applications for a stay of proceedings and carriage of the lawsuits have been filed. In Saskatchewan, on April 25, 2014, a separate action was filed against Visa Canada Corporation and Visa Inc., two MasterCard entities, and a number of smaller Canadian issuing banks that are not named as defendants in any of the existing proceedings.
	On March 26, 2014, the British Columbia Supreme Court, in Watson v. Bank of America Corporation, et al., granted the plaintiffs' application for class certification in part, allowing plaintiffs to proceed as a class on, among other claims, claims for price fixing under Canada's Competition Act. Both plaintiff and defendants are appealing aspects of the certification decision to the British Columbia Court of Appeal.
	The pending Canada Merchant Litigation lawsuits largely seek unspecified monetary damages and injunctive relief, but some allege substantial damages.
	Data Pass Litigation
	On July 17, 2014, the court granted the motions to dismiss of Webloyalty.com, GameStop, and Visa as to the claims in the amended complaint that are grounded in fraud, reserved decision on whether all of the claims in the amended complaint are grounded in fraud, and granted plaintiff leave to file a further amended complaint on or before August 15, 2014.
	U.S. ATM Access Fee Litigation
	On December 19, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied plaintiffs’ motions for leave to file amended complaints in the National ATM Council class action and the consumer class actions, and denied plaintiffs’ motions for an order altering or amending the court's February 13, 2013 judgment. On January 10, 2014, plaintiffs in the National ATM Council class action and the consumer class actions filed notices of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
	Target Data Breach
	On March 3, 2014, a purported class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah against Target, Visa and MasterCard alleging, among other things, violations of Utah unfair competition law, invasion of privacy, negligence and breach of contract as a result of unauthorized access in November and December 2013 to certain personal information and payment card data stored by Target. The complaint also alleges that Visa and MasterCard unlawfully failed to implement chip technology in the United States. The complaint seeks damages, restitution, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. On April 4, 2014, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued an order conditionally transferring the action to an existing MDL related to the Target data breach where Visa has not been a party in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, In re Target Corp. Customer Data Security Breach Litigation, MDL No. 2522. On April 23, 2014, Visa and MasterCard filed a motion to separate and remand the claims against them, or alternatively, to remand the action in its entirety. The case has otherwise been stayed pending the outcome of the motion, which Target and the plaintiffs have opposed.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization	'
	Organization. Visa Inc. (“Visa” or the “Company”) is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments. Visa and its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries, including Visa U.S.A. Inc. (“Visa U.S.A.”), Visa International Service Association (“Visa International”), Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited, Visa Canada Corporation, Inovant LLC and CyberSource Corporation (“CyberSource”), operate one of the world’s most advanced processing networks — VisaNet — which facilitates authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions worldwide. VisaNet also offers fraud protection for account holders and assured payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for account holders on Visa-branded cards and payment products. In most cases, account holder and merchant relationships belong to, and are managed by, Visa's financial institution clients. Visa provides a wide variety of payment solutions that support payment products that issuers can offer to their account holders: pay now with debit, pay ahead with prepaid or pay later with credit products. Visa also offers a growing suite of innovative digital, eCommerce and mobile products and services. These services facilitate transactions on Visa's network among account holders, merchants, financial institutions and governments in mature and emerging markets globally.
Consolidation and basis of presentation	'
	Consolidation and basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Visa and its consolidated entities and are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company consolidates its majority-owned and controlled entities, including variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s investments in VIEs have not been material to its consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all of the annual disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Reference should be made to the Visa Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements	'
	Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.
	In January 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-01, which clarifies the scope of ASU 2011-11. As amended, ASU 2011-11 requires disclosure of the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on a Company's financial position as well as enhanced disclosure of the rights of offset associated with a Company's recognized derivative instruments, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and lending transactions. The amended standard impacts presentation only. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2013. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, which established the effective date for the requirement to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income. The standard impacts presentation only and does not impact the underlying components of other comprehensive income or net income. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2013. Beginning with fiscal 2014, the components related to pension and postretirement benefit plans are presented on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. All prior period information has been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2014. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, which clarifies the applicable guidance for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity, or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2014. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, which provides guidance for the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2014. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is evaluating the full effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, which requires a performance target in stock compensation awards that affects vesting, and is achievable after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2016. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Retrospective_Responsibility_P1

Retrospective Responsibility Plan Retrospective Responsibility Plan (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Retrospective Responsibility Plan [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
		Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013
		(in millions)
	Balance at October 1	$	49	$	4,432
	Return of takedown payments to the litigation escrow account	1,056		—
	Payments to settlement funds(1)
	Class plaintiffs	—		(4,033		)
	Individual plaintiffs	—		(350		)
	Balance at June 30	$	1,105	$	49
	(1)	Payments made in fiscal 2013 are associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation. See Note 13—Legal Matters.

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_In1

Fair Value Measurements and Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
		Fair Value Measurements
		Using Inputs Considered as
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
		June 30,		September 30,		June 30,		September 30,		June 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents and restricted cash:
	Money market funds	$	1,972	$	1,071
	Commercial paper					$	58	$	51
	Investment securities, trading:
	Equity securities	86		75
	Investment securities, available-for-sale:
	U.S. government-sponsored debt securities					2,263		2,704
	U.S. Treasury securities	1,876		1,673
	Equity securities	101		101
	Corporate debt securities					471		269
	Auction rate securities									$	7	$	7
	Prepaid and other current assets:
	Foreign exchange derivative instruments					6		23
	Total	$	4,035	$	2,920	$	2,798	$	3,047	$	7	$	7
	Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities:
	Visa Europe put option									$	145	$	145
	Foreign exchange derivative instruments					$	32	$	15
	Total	$	—	$	—	$	32	$	15	$	145	$	145

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme1

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures	'
	The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
		Pension Benefits												Other Postretirement Benefits
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,						June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Service cost	$	11		$	10		$	34		$	32		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Interest cost	10			9			31			27			—			—			—			—
	Expected return on assets	(17		)	(16		)	(51		)	(47		)	—			—			—			—
	Amortization of:
	Prior service credit	(2		)	(2		)	(6		)	(7		)	—			(1		)	(2		)	(2		)
	Actuarial loss (gain)	1			8			1			22			(1		)	—			(1		)	—
	Net benefit cost	$	3		$	9		$	9		$	27		$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	(3	)	$	(2	)
	Curtailment gain	—			—			(3		)	—			—			—			—			—
	Settlement loss	2			—			3			—			—			—			—			—
	Total net periodic benefit cost	$	5		$	9		$	9		$	27		$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	(3	)	$	(2	)

Settlement_Guarantee_Managemen1

Settlement Guarantee Management (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Settlement Guarantee Management [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Customer Collateral	'
	The Company maintained collateral as follows:
		June 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Cash equivalents	$	936	$	866
	Pledged securities at market value	166		256
	Letters of credit	1,239		1,191
	Guarantees	1,547		1,411
	Total	$	3,888	$	3,724

Other_Liabilities_Tables

Other Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Liabilities, Table	'
	Other non-current liabilities consisted of the following:
		June 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Accrued income taxes(1)	$	758	$	453
	Employee benefits	86		86
	Other	61		63
	Total	$	905	$	602
	(1)	The increase in non-current accrued income taxes is due to an increase in liabilities for uncertain tax positions.

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stock by Class	'
	The number of shares of each class and the number of shares of class A common stock on an as-converted basis at June 30, 2014, are as follows:
	(in millions, except conversion rate)	Shares Outstanding			Conversion Rate		As-converted Class A Common
					Into Class A		Stock(1)
					Common Stock
	Class A common stock	496			—		496
	Class B common stock	245			0.4206		103
	Class C common stock	25			1		25
	Total						624
	(1)	Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted class A common stock is calculated based on whole numbers, not the rounded numbers presented.
Share Repurchase Program Disclosure	'
	The following table presents share repurchases in the open market.
	(in millions, except per share data)		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014			Nine Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Shares repurchased in the open market (1)		6			16
	Weighted-average repurchase price per share		$	207.13		$	207.9
	Total cost		$	1,152		$	3,362
	(1)	All shares repurchased in the open market have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	'
	The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2014.(1)
		Basic Earnings Per Share					Diluted Earnings Per Share
		(in millions, except per share data)
		Income		Weighted-	Earnings per		Income		Weighted-		Earnings per
		Allocation		Average	Share =font>		Allocation		Average		Share =font>
		(A)(2)		Shares	(A)/(B)		(A)(2)		Shares		(A)/(B)
				Outstanding (B)					Outstanding (B)
	Class A common stock	$	1,076	496	$	2.17	$	1,360	628	(3)	$	2.17
	Class B common stock	224		245	$	0.91	$	224	245		$	0.91
	Class C common stock	56		26	$	2.17	$	56	26		$	2.17
	Participating securities(4)	4		Not presented	Not presented		$	4	Not presented		Not presented
	Net income	$	1,360
	The following table presents earnings per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2014.(1)
		Basic Earnings Per Share					Diluted Earnings Per Share
		(in millions, except per share data)
		Income		Weighted-	Earnings per		Income		Weighted-		Earnings per
		Allocation		Average	Share =font>		Allocation		Average		Share =font>
		(A)(2)		Shares	(A)/(B)		(A)(2)		Shares		(A)/(B)
				Outstanding (B)					Outstanding (B)
	Class A common stock	$	3,458	500	$	6.91	$	4,365	633	(3)	$	6.89
	Class B common stock	714		245	$	2.91	$	712	245		$	2.9
	Class C common stock	180		26	$	6.91	$	180	26		$	6.89
	Participating securities(4)	13		Not presented	Not presented		$	13	Not presented		Not presented
	Net income	$	4,365
	The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2013.(1)
		Basic Earnings Per Share					Diluted Earnings Per Share
		(in millions, except per share data)
		Income		Weighted-	Earnings per		Income		Weighted-		Earnings per
		Allocation		Average	Share =font>		Allocation		Average		Share =font>
		(A)(2)		Shares	(A)/(B)		(A)(2)		Shares		(A)/(B)
				Outstanding (B)					Outstanding (B)
	Class A common stock	$	973	515	$	1.89	$	1,225	651	(3)	$	1.88
	Class B common stock	194		245	$	0.79	$	194	245		$	0.79
	Class C common stock	53		28	$	1.89	$	53	28		$	1.88
	Participating securities(4)	5		Not presented	Not presented		$	5	Not presented		Not presented
	Net income	$	1,225
	The following table presents earnings per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2013.(1)
		Basic Earnings Per Share					Diluted Earnings Per Share
		(in millions, except per share data)
		Income		Weighted-	Earnings per		Income		Weighted-		Earnings per
		Allocation		Average	Share =font>		Allocation		Average		Share =font>
		(A)(2)		Shares	(A)/(B)		(A)(2)		Shares		(A)/(B)
				Outstanding (B)					Outstanding (B)
	Class A common stock	$	3,014	524	$	5.76	$	3,788	660	(3)	$	5.74
	Class B common stock	594		245	$	2.42	$	592	245		$	2.41
	Class C common stock	166		29	$	5.76	$	165	29		$	5.74
	Participating securities(4)	14		Not presented	Not presented		$	14	Not presented		Not presented
	Net income	$	3,788
	(1)	Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Earnings per share is calculated based on whole numbers, not the rounded numbers presented.
	(2)	Net income is allocated based on proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 103 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	(3)	Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are calculated on an as-converted basis, and include incremental common stock equivalents, as calculated under the treasury stock method. The computation includes approximately 2 million of common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, because their effect would be dilutive. The calculation excludes less than 1 million of common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
	(4)	Participating securities are unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, such as the Company's restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and earned performance-based shares.

Sharebased_Compensation_Tables

Share-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award	'
	The Company granted the following equity awards to employees and non-employee directors under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan during the nine months ended June 30, 2014:
		Granted	Weighted-Average		Weighted-Average
			Grant Date Fair		Exercise Price
			Value
	Non-qualified stock options	423,149	$	44.16	$	201.02
	Restricted stock awards ("RSAs")	584,611	$	199.32
	Restricted stock units ("RSUs")	225,604	$	197.69
	Performance-based shares(1)	278,451	$	225.46
	(1)	Represents the maximum number of performance-based shares which could be earned.

Legal_Matters_Tables

Legal Matters (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Legal Matters [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency	'
	The following table summarizes activity related to accrued litigation.
		Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013
		(in millions)
	Balance at October 1	$	5		$	4,386
	Provision for unsettled matters	—			3
	Reestablishment of obligation related to interchange multidistrict litigation(1)	1,056			—
	Payment on unsettled matters(1)	—			(4,033		)
	Payment on settled matters	(1		)	(351		)
	Balance at June 30	$	1,060		$	5
	(1)	In fiscal 2013, the Company paid approximately $4.0 billion from the litigation escrow account into a settlement fund established pursuant to the definitive class settlement agreement in the interchange multidistrict litigation. Under the settlement agreement, if class members opt-out (“opt-out merchants”) of the damages portion of the class settlement, the defendants are entitled to receive payments of no more than 25% of the original cash payments made into the settlement fund, based on the percentage of payment card sales volume for a defined period attributable to merchants who opted out (the "takedown payments"). On January 14, 2014, the court entered the final judgment order approving the settlement with the class plaintiffs in the interchange multidistrict litigation proceedings, which is subject to the adjudication of any appeals. Takedown payments of approximately $1.1 billion were received on January 27, 2014, and deposited into the Company’s litigation escrow account. The deposit into the litigation escrow account and a related increase in accrued litigation to address opt-out claims were recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. See further discussion below.

Retrospective_Responsibility_P2

Retrospective Responsibility Plan Changes in the Escrow Account (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 27, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013
Escrow Account [Roll Forward]	'	'		'		'
Litigation Escrow Account Balance, Beginning of Period	'	$49		$4,432		$4,432
Return of takedown payments to the litigation escrow account	'	1,056		0		'
Litigation Escrow Account Balance, End of Period	'	1,105		'		'
Class plaintiffs	'	'		'		'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'		'		'
Adjustment to payments for litigation	1,100	'		'		'
Escrow Account [Roll Forward]	'	'		'		'
Payments to Settlement Funds	'	0	[1]	-4,033	[1]	-4,033
Individual Plaintiffs	'	'		'		'
Escrow Account [Roll Forward]	'	'		'		'
Payments to Settlement Funds	'	$0	[1]	($350)	[1]	'
[1]	Payments made in fiscal 2013 are associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation. See Note 13bLegal Matters.

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_In2

Fair Value Measurements and Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Probability of exercise by Visa Europe	40.00%	'
P/E differential at the time of exercise	'1.9x	'
P/E differential at the time of exercise, ratio	190.00%	'
Spot price to earnings	'20.3x	'
Spot price to earnings, ratio	2030.00%	'
Incremental price to earnings differential compared to estimate	'1.5x	'
Incremental price to earnings differential compared to estimate, ratio	150.00%	'
Incremental probability of exercise by Visa Europe	5.00%	'
Increase in put option value due to increase in probability of exercise	$18	'
Incremental assumed price to earnings differential at time of exercise	'1.0x	'
Incremental P/E differential at time of exercise, ratio	100.00%	'
Increase in put option value due to increase in price to earnings differential	84	'
Other than temporary impairment loss	15	'
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains	91	93
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses	'	1
Non Marketable Equity Investments	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Non-marketable equity investments	32	30
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Visa Europe put option	$145	$145

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accrued liabilities	'	'
Visa Europe put option	$145	$145
Level 1	'	'
Prepaid and other current assets:	'	'
Fair value, total assets	4,035	2,920
Accrued liabilities	'	'
Fair value, total liabilities	0	0
Level 2	'	'
Prepaid and other current assets:	'	'
Fair value, total assets	2,798	3,047
Accrued liabilities	'	'
Fair value, total liabilities	32	15
Level 3	'	'
Prepaid and other current assets:	'	'
Fair value, total assets	7	7
Accrued liabilities	'	'
Fair value, total liabilities	145	145
Visa Europe put option | Level 3	'	'
Accrued liabilities	'	'
Visa Europe put option	145	145
Foreign exchange derivative instruments | Level 2	'	'
Accrued liabilities	'	'
Foreign exchange derivative instruments	32	15
Money market funds | Level 1	'	'
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:	'	'
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:	1,972	1,071
Commercial paper | Level 2	'	'
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:	'	'
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:	58	51
Equity securities | Level 1	'	'
Investment securities:	'	'
Trading securities	86	75
Available-for-sale securities	101	101
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities | Level 2	'	'
Investment securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	2,263	2,704
U.S. Treasury securities | Level 1	'	'
Investment securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	1,876	1,673
Corporate Debt Securities | Level 2	'	'
Investment securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	471	269
Auction rate securities | Level 3	'	'
Investment securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	7	7
Foreign exchange derivative instruments | Level 2	'	'
Prepaid and other current assets:	'	'
Prepaid and other current assets:	$6	$23

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (Revolving Credit Facility, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jan. 29, 2014	Jan. 28, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit facility maximum borrowing capacity	'	$3,000,000,000	$3,000,000,000
Commitment fee percentage	0.07%	'	'
Minimum | LIBOR or Alternative Base Rate	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Spread on variable interest rate	0.00%	'	'
Maximum | LIBOR or Alternative Base Rate	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Spread on variable interest rate	0.75%	'	'

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Ben

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Pension Benefits	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$11	$10	$34	$32
Interest cost	10	9	31	27
Expected return on assets	-17	-16	-51	-47
Amortization of:	'	'	'	'
Prior service credit	-2	-2	-6	-7
Actuarial loss (gain)	1	8	1	22
Net benefit cost	3	9	9	27
Curtailment gain	'	'	-3	'
Settlement loss	2	'	3	'
Total net periodic benefit cost	5	9	9	27
Other Postretirement Benefits	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	'	'	'	'
Interest cost	'	'	'	'
Expected return on assets	'	'	'	'
Amortization of:	'	'	'	'
Prior service credit	'	-1	-2	-2
Actuarial loss (gain)	-1	'	-1	'
Net benefit cost	-1	-1	-3	-2
Curtailment gain	'	'	'	'
Settlement loss	'	'	'	'
Total net periodic benefit cost	($1)	($1)	($3)	($2)

Settlement_Guarantee_Managemen2

Settlement Guarantee Management - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Settlement Guarantee Management [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated maximum settlement exposure	$54,500,000,000	$53,800,000,000
Covered settlement exposure	3,000,000,000	'
Estimated probability-weighted value of the guarantee	$2,000,000	$1,000,000

Collateral_Detail

Collateral (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Settlement Guarantee Management [Abstract]	'	'
Cash equivalents	$936	$866
Pledged securities at market value	166	256
Letters of credit	1,239	1,191
Guarantees	1,547	1,411
Total	$3,888	$3,724

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Previously Held Minority Interest Ownership [Member]	Previously Held Minority Interest Ownership [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total purchase consideration	'	'	$170	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired	'	'	126	'
Goodwill	$11,741	$11,681	'	$60

Other_LongTerm_Liabilities_Det

Other Long-Term Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'		'
Accrued income Taxes	$758	[1]	$453	[1]
Employee benefits	86		86
Other	61		63
Total	$905		$602
[1]	The increase in non-current accrued income taxes is due to an increase in liabilities for uncertain tax positions.

Number_of_Shares_of_Class_A_Co

Number of Shares of Class A Common Shares Outstanding on an As-Converted Basis (Detail)	Jun. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]	'		'
As-converted Class A Common Stock	624	[1]	'
Class A common stock	'		'
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]	'		'
Shares Outstanding	496		508
Conversion Rate Into Class A Common Stock	'		'
As-converted Class A Common Stock	496	[1]	'
Class B common stock	'		'
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]	'		'
Shares Outstanding	245		245
Conversion Rate Into Class A Common Stock	0.4206		'
As-converted Class A Common Stock	103	[1]	'
Class C common stock	'		'
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]	'		'
Shares Outstanding	25		27
Conversion Rate Into Class A Common Stock	1		'
As-converted Class A Common Stock	25	[1]	'
[1]	Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted class A common stock is calculated based on whole numbers, not the rounded numbers presented.

Share_Repurchases_in_the_Open_

Share Repurchases in the Open Market (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'		'
Shares repurchased in the open market	6	[1]	16	[1]
Weighted-average repurchase price per share	$207.13		$207.90
Total cost	$1,152		$3,362
[1]	All shares repurchased in the open market have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 24, 2014
		Subsequent Event
Stockholders' Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'
Stock Repurchase Remaining Authorized Amount	$1,900,000,000	'
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share (in USD per Share)	'	$0.40
Dividends, Cash	$758,000,000	'

Basic_and_Diluted_Earnings_Per

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Income Allocation (A)	'		$1,225	[1],[2],[3]	'		'
Net loss attributable to Visa Inc.	1,360	[1],[2]	'		4,365	[1],[2]	3,788	[1],[2],[3]
Class A common stock	'		'		'		'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Income Allocation (A)	1,076	[1],[2]	973	[1],[2]	3,458	[1],[2]	3,014	[1],[2]
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)	496	[1]	515	[1]	500		524	[1]
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)	$2.17	[1]	$1.89	[1]	$6.91		$5.76	[1]
Income Allocation (A)	1,360	[1],[2]	1,225	[1],[2]	4,365	[1],[2]	3,788	[1],[2]
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)	628	[1],[4]	651	[1],[4]	633		660	[1],[4]
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)	$2.17	[1]	$1.88	[1]	$6.89		$5.74	[1]
Class B common stock	'		'		'		'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Income Allocation (A)	224	[1],[2]	194	[1],[2]	714	[1],[2]	594	[1],[2]
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)	245	[1]	245	[1]	245		245	[1]
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)	$0.91	[1]	$0.79	[1]	$2.91		$2.42	[1]
Income Allocation (A)	224	[1],[2]	194	[1],[2]	712	[1],[2]	592	[1],[2]
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)	245	[1]	245	[1]	245		245	[1]
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)	$0.91	[1]	$0.79	[1]	$2.90		$2.41	[1]
Class C common stock	'		'		'		'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Income Allocation (A)	56	[1],[2]	53	[1],[2]	180	[1],[2]	166	[1],[2]
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)	26	[1]	28	[1]	26		29	[1]
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)	$2.17	[1]	$1.89	[1]	$6.91		$5.76	[1]
Income Allocation (A)	56	[1],[2]	53	[1],[2]	180	[1],[2]	165	[1],[2]
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)	26	[1]	28	[1]	26		29	[1]
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)	$2.17	[1]	$1.88	[1]	$6.89		$5.74	[1]
Participating securities	'		'		'		'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Income Allocation (A)	4	[1],[2],[3]	5	[1],[2],[3]	13	[1],[2],[3]	14	[1],[2],[3]
Income Allocation (A)	$4	[1],[2],[3]	$5	[1],[2],[3]	$13	[1],[2],[3]	$14	[1],[2],[3]
[1]	Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Earnings per share is calculated based on whole numbers, not the rounded numbers presented.
[2]	Net income is allocated based on proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 103 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
[3]	Participating securities are unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, such as the Company's restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and earned performance-based shares.
[4]	Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are calculated on an as-converted basis, and include incremental common stock equivalents, as calculated under the treasury stock method. The computation includes approximately 2 million of common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, because their effect would be dilutive. The calculation excludes less than 1 million of common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended JuneB 30, 2014 and 2013, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Basic_and_Diluted_Earnings_Per1

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock options included in the computation of diluted shares outstanding	2	2	2	2
Stock Options | Maximum	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock options excluded from computation of average dilutive shares outstanding	1	1	1	1
Class B common stock	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average as-converted class B common stock used in income allocation	103	103	103	103

Awards_Granted_to_Company_Empl

Awards Granted to Company Employees and Non-employee Directors Under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Non-qualified stock options	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Granted	423,149
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$44.16
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$201.02
Restricted stock awards (RSAs)	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Granted	584,611
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$199.32
Restricted stock units (RSUs)	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Granted	225,604
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$197.69
Performance-based shares	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Granted	278,451	[1]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$225.46	[1]
[1]	Represents the maximum number of performance-based shares which could be earned.

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, percent	33.00%	33.00%	29.00%	31.00%
Tax benefit related to a deduction for U.S. domestic production activities	'	'	$245	'
Tax benefit related to a deduction for U.S. domestic production activities, from prior periods	'	'	189	'
Tax benefit recognized related to CA apportionment rules	'	-76	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, period increase (decrease)	43	'	223	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate, period increase (decrease)	42	'	219	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, increase resulting from interest accrued	4	'	8	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, penalties on income taxes released	$1	'	$2	'

Legal_Matters_Additional_Infor

Legal Matters - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Jan. 27, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 16, 2013
	Class plaintiffs	Class plaintiffs		Class plaintiffs		Class plaintiffs	Interchage Litigation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'		'		'	'
Payments on litigation matters	'	$0	[1]	$4,033,000,000	[1]	$4,033,000,000	'
Adjustment to payments for litigation	1,100,000,000	'		'		'	'
Damages sought by plaintiff from all defendant parties	'	'		'		'	$54,000,000,000
[1]	Payments made in fiscal 2013 are associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation. See Note 13bLegal Matters.

Accrued_Litigation_for_Both_Co

Accrued Litigation for Both Covered and Non-Covered Litigation (Detail) (USD $)

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Unsettled

Unsettled

Settled

Settled

Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at October 1

$1,060

$5

$5

$4,386

'

'

'

'

Provision for unsettled matters

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

Reestablishment of obligation related to interchange multidistrict litigation

1,056

[1]

'

'

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

Payments on litigation matters

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

-4,033

[1]

-1

-351

Balance at June 30

$1,060

$5

$5

$4,386

'

'

'

'

[1]

In fiscal 2013, the Company paid approximately $4.0 billion from the litigation escrow account into a settlement fund established pursuant to the definitive class settlement agreement in the interchange multidistrict litigation. Under the settlement agreement, if class members opt-out (bopt-out merchantsb) of the damages portion of the class settlement, the defendants are entitled to receive payments of no more than 25% of the original cash payments made into the settlement fund, based on the percentage of payment card sales volume for a defined period attributable to merchants who opted out (the "takedown payments"). On January 14, 2014, the court entered the final judgment order approving the settlement with the class plaintiffs in the interchange multidistrict litigation proceedings, which is subject to the adjudication of any appeals. Takedown payments of approximately $1.1 billion were received on January 27, 2014, and deposited into the Companybs litigation escrow account. The deposit into the litigation escrow account and a related increase in accrued litigation to address opt-out claims were recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. See further discussion below.