Revolving credit cards: tips to stop your debt going on forever

24/03/2026

Credit cards have been part of everyday life for some time now, but many cardholders are still not familiar with how revolving credit cards work. These cards are often presented as a quick and easy way to access financing: you can get instant credit and repay it in instalments to fit your budget. But to get the full picture, it is important to understand how they work, and how to prevent your debt lasting for years.

As we have already explained on this portal, revolving credit gives quick and easy access to financing, but at higher interest rates than other forms of borrowing. It also often allows you to repay the debt in small amounts, which are generally chosen by the customer.

The risk, though, is that in some cases the instalments only cover the interest and repay very little of the principal. This means that repaying the debt takes much longer than expected.

And it’s not just that. The feeling of the debt dragging on can become worse if you miss any instalments or it is refinanced or incurs additional charges. For example, if you miss a repayment, the debt is refinanced on the same terms, arrears charges are applied and interest will be calculated on a higher amount.

The risk of the debt never being repaid is not only down to how this financial product works. People also have a role to play, as they have to carefully manage their revolving credit and set instalments at a level they can afford but that also allows them to repay the debt within a reasonable time, without building up more interest.

What’s the best approach? You need to make sure you clearly understand:

• how the product works;
• when it may be a suitable option;
• why you should choose a repayment amount that isn’t too low, to avoid interest building up and making the debt seem never-ending;
• why it’s important to pay the agreed instalment on time.

Check out the series of posts on revolving credit cardsAbre en ventana nueva published on our portal, where you can find information to help you make informed decisions and avoid financial situations that are difficult to get out of.

Lastly, don’t forget to use our simulatorAbre en ventana nueva to see when you would finish repaying your revolving credit card debt, depending on the instalment you choose.