Credit cards allow cardholders to roll over their balance due from one billing cycle to the next. It used to be that people holding charge cards (a specific type of credit card) such as American Express were required to pay off the balance in full each month. However charge cards are more frequently allowing people to roll over their balance, often at a higher interest rate than if the balance were due on a standard credit card. For example, American Express now offers several cards that allow cardholders to roll over their balance due.

The implications can be significant for people holding both credit and charge cards. Whereas they may have been diligent to pay off their charge card in full each month in the past (because their account would be suspended if they did not) now they have another alternative line of credit to tap into to make ends meet, and may be tempted to accumulate even more debt in doing so.