What Are Revolving Credit Accounts?

What Are Revolving Credit Accounts

If you’re confused by some of the terms you hear regarding credit and the way it works, you’re not alone. Many consumers feel frustrated at an industry that uses a variety of terms to mean the same thing. It’s as if they are purposely trying to cause confusion.

But it’s actually not as bad as it may seem. Let’s take for instance the term “revolving credit accounts.”

Revolving Credit is Another Term for Ongoing Lines of Credit

This includes credit cards, department store cards, gas cards, and other ongoing lines of credit. Even a home equity line is a type of revolving credit. Basically, if there’s a balance at the end of the month, the credit “revolves” to the next billing cycle.

Image of a woman looking frustrated with her credit cards.

Many consumers feel frustrated at an industry that uses a variety of terms to mean the same thing.

Let’s say, for instance, you have a credit card with a $5,000 limit. If you charge $1,000 on it, then your available balance drops to $4,000 and you owe $1,000 when your bill arrives.

You can choose to pay off the entire amount or pay a portion of it and carry the balance forward to the next month. In this way, the line of credit is always revolving.

But Don’t Forget About Interest 

Of course, if you do choose to pay less than the total amount due, you will be charged interest for the portion still outstanding.

Image of percentage signs increasing to depict interest on a credit card.

If you pay less than the total amount due, you will be charged interest for the remaining balance.

The next bill you receive will contain the unpaid balance plus an interest charge, which you can choose to pay in full or make another partial payment.

As long as the payment you make meets the minimum amount due, you can continue this revolving credit cycle of charging on the account, paying interest, and having your available credit line fluctuate up and down.

Most Credit Cards Are Revolving Credit Accounts

Some issuers like American Express and a few others require you to pay the balance in full each month on some of their cards. These are actually a type of revolving credit as well, only they work by charging an annual fee instead of an interest charge.

Sometimes the terms used by the credit industry can be confusing. At other times, it’s simply a matter of understanding that the term being used is something you already know about.

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