RateCity
Revert Rate
The revert rate is the interest rate that your balance transfer credit card or some low rate credit cards revert to once the introductory period ends. This rate is usually much higher than the original rate and is the ongoing rate.
A balance transfer credit card is a type of credit card that offers a lower interest rate for a certain period of time, which is otherwise known as the introductory period. Once the introductory period ends the interest rate reverts to a higher rate, the revert rate. These types of credit cards are great for people who may want to focus on paying down their credit card balance without paying a lot (or sometimes any) interest.
Usually the revert rate affects both the purchase rate and the rate for cash withdrawals which is known as cash advance. However the difference is that rates for cash withdrawals are usually higher than the purchase rate and it is calculated as soon as the cash is taken. Interest rates for purchases usually have an interest free period, however this will depend on what type of credit card you have and the financial institution.
A study by RateCity, discovered that from December 2007 to September 2010 the average revert rate for purchases on balance transfer credit cards increased by 3.85 percent, to 18.39 percent.
They also found that the average purchase rate on balance transfer cards had also increased from 14.80 percent to 17.16 percent during the same period.
This study shows why it pays to compare interest rates on your credit card because those people who may have switched their credit card debt to a balance transfer card over the past couple of years and are still using the same card, could be paying more in interest.
If you want to pay off your credit card debt sooner consider applying for a balance transfer credit card. Make sure that you check what the revert rate will be once the introductory period ends before you go ahead.
Or if you want to see what interest rates are being offered for other cards, compare credit cards online or check out the table below which shows all balance transfer cards currently available on RateCity.
