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| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ConsumerPortfolioSegmentMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_636867624410906126"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_636867624410906126" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_ConsumerCreditCardFinancingReceivableThatSubsequentlyDefaultedMember" xlink:label="ads_ConsumerCreditCardFinancingReceivableThatSubsequentlyDefaultedMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:to="ads_ConsumerCreditCardFinancingReceivableThatSubsequentlyDefaultedMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_FinancingReceivableModificationNumberOfContracts" xlink:label="ads_FinancingReceivableModificationNumberOfContracts"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems" xlink:to="ads_FinancingReceivableModificationNumberOfContracts" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_FinancingReceivableModificationPreModificationRecordedInvestment" xlink:label="ads_FinancingReceivableModificationPreModificationRecordedInvestment"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems" xlink:to="ads_FinancingReceivableModificationPreModificationRecordedInvestment" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_FinancingReceivableModificationPostModificationRecordedInvestment" xlink:label="ads_FinancingReceivableModificationPostModificationRecordedInvestment"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems" xlink:to="ads_FinancingReceivableModificationPostModificationRecordedInvestment" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_FinancingReceivableModificationRecordedInvestment" xlink:label="ads_FinancingReceivableModificationRecordedInvestment"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems" xlink:to="ads_FinancingReceivableModificationRecordedInvestment" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_AgeOfCreditCardReceivablesSinceOriginationTable" xlink:label="ads_AgeOfCreditCardReceivablesSinceOriginationTable"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationAxis" xlink:label="ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationAxis"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="ads_AgeOfCreditCardReceivablesSinceOriginationTable" xlink:to="ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationAxis" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationDomain" xlink:label="ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationDomain"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationAxis" xlink:to="ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationDomain" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationDomain" xlink:label="ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationDomain_636867624410916135"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationAxis" xlink:to="ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationDomain_636867624410916135" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_Months0Through12Member" xlink:label="ads_Months0Through12Member"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationDomain" xlink:to="ads_Months0Through12Member" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_Months13Through24Member" xlink:label="ads_Months13Through24Member"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationDomain" xlink:to="ads_Months13Through24Member" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_Months25Through36Member" xlink:label="ads_Months25Through36Member"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="ads_CreditCardReceivablesByMonthsSinceOriginationDomain" xlink:to="ads_Months25Through36Member" use="optional"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_Months61AndMoreMember" xlink:label="ads_Months61AndMoreMember"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="ads_AgeOfCreditCardReceivablesSinceOriginationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_NumberOfActiveAccountsWithBalances" xlink:label="ads_NumberOfActiveAccountsWithBalances"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract" xlink:to="ads_NumberOfActiveAccountsWithBalances" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_PercentageOfActiveAccountsWithBalances" xlink:label="ads_PercentageOfActiveAccountsWithBalances"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract" xlink:to="ads_PercentageOfActiveAccountsWithBalances" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCardExcludingHeldForSale" xlink:label="ads_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCardExcludingHeldForSale"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract" xlink:to="ads_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCardExcludingHeldForSale" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_PercentageOfPrincipalReceivablesOutstanding" xlink:label="ads_PercentageOfPrincipalReceivablesOutstanding"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract" xlink:to="ads_PercentageOfPrincipalReceivablesOutstanding" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
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| <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.alliancedata.com/role/DisclosureCreditCardAndLoanReceivablesCreditQualityDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40504 - Disclosure - CREDIT CARD AND LOAN RECEIVABLES - Credit Quality (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase"> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_636867624410926140"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_636867624410926140" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_NoScoreMember" xlink:label="ads_NoScoreMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain" xlink:to="ads_NoScoreMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_Probability27.1PercentAndHigherMember" xlink:label="ads_Probability27.1PercentAndHigherMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain" xlink:to="ads_Probability27.1PercentAndHigherMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_Probability17.1PercentTo27.0PercentMember" xlink:label="ads_Probability17.1PercentTo27.0PercentMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain" xlink:to="ads_Probability17.1PercentTo27.0PercentMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_Probability12.6PercentTo17.0PercentMember" xlink:label="ads_Probability12.6PercentTo17.0PercentMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain" xlink:to="ads_Probability12.6PercentTo17.0PercentMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_Probability3.7PercentTo12.5PercentMember" xlink:label="ads_Probability3.7PercentTo12.5PercentMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain" xlink:to="ads_Probability3.7PercentTo12.5PercentMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_Probability1.9PercentTo3.6PercentMember" xlink:label="ads_Probability1.9PercentTo3.6PercentMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain" xlink:to="ads_Probability1.9PercentTo3.6PercentMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_ProbabilityLowerThan1.9PercentMember" xlink:label="ads_ProbabilityLowerThan1.9PercentMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain" xlink:to="ads_ProbabilityLowerThan1.9PercentMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_ProbabilityOfAccountBecoming91OrMoreDaysPastDueOrBecomingChargedOffAbstract" xlink:label="ads_ProbabilityOfAccountBecoming91OrMoreDaysPastDueOrBecomingChargedOffAbstract"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems" xlink:to="ads_ProbabilityOfAccountBecoming91OrMoreDaysPastDueOrBecomingChargedOffAbstract" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCardExcludingHeldForSale" xlink:label="ads_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCardExcludingHeldForSale"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="ads_ProbabilityOfAccountBecoming91OrMoreDaysPastDueOrBecomingChargedOffAbstract" xlink:to="ads_LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCardExcludingHeldForSale" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_PercentageOfPrincipalReceivablesOutstanding" xlink:label="ads_PercentageOfPrincipalReceivablesOutstanding"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="ads_ProbabilityOfAccountBecoming91OrMoreDaysPastDueOrBecomingChargedOffAbstract" xlink:to="ads_PercentageOfPrincipalReceivablesOutstanding" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_TransferOfFinancialAssetsAbstract" xlink:label="ads_TransferOfFinancialAssetsAbstract"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems" xlink:to="ads_TransferOfFinancialAssetsAbstract" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_LoansReceivableHeldForSaleNetNotPartOfDisposalGroupOrDiscontinuedOperation" xlink:label="ads_LoansReceivableHeldForSaleNetNotPartOfDisposalGroupOrDiscontinuedOperation"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="ads_TransferOfFinancialAssetsAbstract" xlink:to="ads_LoansReceivableHeldForSaleNetNotPartOfDisposalGroupOrDiscontinuedOperation" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeAxis"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_MinimumMember"/> |
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| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="ads_RedemptionSettlementAssetsFairValueAbstract" xlink:to="ads_RedemptionSettlementAssetsAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_RedemptionSettlementAssetsRealizedGainLoss" xlink:label="ads_RedemptionSettlementAssetsRealizedGainLoss"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="ads_RedemptionSettlementAssetsFairValueAbstract" xlink:to="ads_RedemptionSettlementAssetsRealizedGainLoss" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_DepreciableAssetMember" xlink:label="ads_DepreciableAssetMember"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_ComputerEquipmentAndPurchasedSoftwareMember" xlink:label="ads_ComputerEquipmentAndPurchasedSoftwareMember"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_LandImprovementsBuildingsAndLeaseholdImprovementsMember" xlink:label="ads_LandImprovementsBuildingsAndLeaseholdImprovementsMember"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation" xlink:label="us-gaap_Depreciation"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_DepreciationAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_Depreciation" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAmortizationExpense" xlink:label="ads_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAmortizationExpense"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_DepreciationAbstract" xlink:to="ads_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAmortizationExpense" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareNet" xlink:label="us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareNet"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_DepreciationAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareNet" priority="1" use="optional"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_CustomerContractsAndListsMember" xlink:label="ads_CustomerContractsAndListsMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:to="ads_CustomerContractsAndListsMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_PremiumOnPurchasedCreditCardPortfoliosMember" xlink:label="ads_PremiumOnPurchasedCreditCardPortfoliosMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:to="ads_PremiumOnPurchasedCreditCardPortfoliosMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_CustomerDatabaseMember" xlink:label="ads_CustomerDatabaseMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:to="ads_CustomerDatabaseMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_CollectorDatabaseMember" xlink:label="ads_CollectorDatabaseMember"/> |
| | <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:to="ads_CollectorDatabaseMember" use="optional"/> |
| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_PublisherNetworksMember" xlink:label="ads_PublisherNetworksMember"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_FiniteLivedTradeNamesMember" xlink:label="ads_FiniteLivedTradeNamesMember"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_PurchasedDataListsMember" xlink:label="ads_PurchasedDataListsMember"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OffMarketFavorableLeaseMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_OffMarketFavorableLeaseMember"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanOfferingPeriod" xlink:label="ads_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanOfferingPeriod"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans"/> |
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| | <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ads-20181231.xsd#ads_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlanWeightedAverageIssuePrice" xlink:label="ads_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlanWeightedAverageIssuePrice"/> |
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