What it costs to have a Chase checking account

Chase charges a monthly maintenance fee on most of its checking accounts, but the amount depends on which account you open. The Chase Total Checking account costs $12 per month. The Chase Premier Plus Checking account costs $25 per month. Chase also offers the Chase Student Checking account, which has no monthly fee until you turn 18, then converts to Total Checking with its $12 fee.

You can waive the monthly fee on Total Checking by meeting one of these conditions each month: keeping a minimum balance of $500, setting up a direct deposit of any amount, or maintaining an active Chase credit card account. For Premier Plus Checking, you need either a $15,000 minimum balance or a direct deposit to waive the $25 fee.

Beyond the monthly fee, Chase charges for specific actions: overdraft fees (currently $35 per overdraft), out-of-network ATM fees ($2.50 per withdrawal), wire transfer fees ($15 domestic, $15 international), and stop-payment fees ($30). These charges only appear if you actually use those services.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking costs $12 per month unless you maintain a $500 minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or keep an active Chase credit card.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month unless you maintain a $15,000 minimum balance or set up direct deposit.
  • Student checking accounts have no monthly fee until age 18, then convert to Total Checking with the standard $12 fee.
  • Overdraft fees, ATM fees, wire transfer fees, and stop-payment fees apply only when you use those specific services.

How to avoid the monthly maintenance fee

The easiest way to eliminate the $12 monthly fee on Total Checking is to set up a direct deposit from your employer or another source like Social Security or a pension. Chase does not specify a minimum amount—even a small recurring deposit counts. This is the most reliable method because once it is set up, the fee waiver happens automatically each month.

If direct deposit is not an option, keeping a $500 minimum balance in the account waives the fee. This balance must be maintained every day of the month; if it drops below $500 even once, you will be charged. For some people, this is harder than it sounds because it ties up money that could go elsewhere.

A third option is to hold an active Chase credit card. You do not need to carry a balance or spend a certain amount—simply having the card open and in good standing waives the Total Checking fee. This works well if you already use Chase credit products.

Overdraft fees and how they stack up

Chase charges $35 each time your account goes negative and the bank covers the transaction. This fee can appear multiple times in a single day if you make several purchases while overdrawn. For example, if you overdraft by $50 and then make three separate purchases, you could face three $35 overdraft fees on top of the original shortfall.

Chase offers Overdraft Protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or credit card. When you overdraft, Chase transfers money from the linked account instead of charging an overdraft fee. There is no fee for using Overdraft Protection itself, though your linked account may have its own terms. Setting this up takes a few minutes in the Chase mobile app or online banking.

You can also opt out of overdraft coverage entirely, which means Chase will decline transactions that would overdraft your account rather than charging you a fee. This prevents the $35 charge but may cause a transaction to fail at the point of sale.

ATM fees and out-of-network withdrawals

Chase does not charge a fee when you withdraw money from a Chase ATM. The bank has thousands of ATMs nationwide, and most Chase branches have one. If you use an ATM owned by another bank, Chase charges $2.50 per withdrawal.

Some other banks reimburse out-of-network ATM fees, but Chase does not. If you regularly need cash and do not live near a Chase ATM, this fee can add up. Checking the Chase ATM locator before opening an account helps you understand whether you will have convenient access.

Wire transfer fees and other transaction costs

Sending a domestic wire transfer through Chase costs $15. International wire transfers also cost $15. These fees apply whether you initiate the wire online, by phone, or in person at a branch. Some banks offer free wire transfers to certain destinations or for customers who meet specific balance requirements; Chase does not waive wire fees based on account type or balance.

Stopping a check costs $30. This fee applies if you issue a check and then ask Chase to prevent it from being cashed—for example, if the check is lost or if you need to cancel a payment. The stop-payment order is typically good for six months.

Comparing Chase checking to other banks

Chase's $12 monthly fee for Total Checking is in the middle range for large national banks. Bank of America charges $12 for its basic checking account (waived with a $1,500 minimum balance or direct deposit). Wells Fargo charges $10 for its standard account (waived with a $500 minimum balance or direct deposit). Some online banks like Ally and Charles Schwab offer checking accounts with no monthly fee and no minimum balance.

The trade-off is that online banks have fewer physical branches and ATMs. If you value in-person banking and a large ATM network, Chase's fee may be worth the cost. If you rarely visit a branch and want to avoid fees entirely, an online bank might be a better fit.

Chase also offers perks that some competitors do not: a student checking account with no fee until age 18, integration with Chase credit cards and savings accounts, and access to Chase's investment and wealth management services if you later need them.

How to review your account and spot unexpected charges

Check your Chase account statement monthly to confirm you are being charged only what you expect. Log into your online account or mobile app and look at the "Charges" or "Fees" section. The statement will list the monthly maintenance fee, any overdraft fees, ATM fees, and other charges with the date they were applied.

If you see a fee you did not expect, contact Chase customer service by phone, through the app, or at a branch. Common issues include a monthly fee that should have been waived (for example, if your direct deposit did not post in time) or an overdraft fee for a transaction you thought was declined. Chase sometimes reverses a single overdraft fee as a courtesy, especially if it is your first one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the monthly fee waived if I have very little money in the account?

Yes. You do not need to maintain the $500 minimum balance if you set up direct deposit instead. Even a small recurring deposit from your employer, government benefit, or another source waives the fee automatically. Alternatively, holding an active Chase credit card also waives the fee regardless of your checking balance.

What happens if my direct deposit stops—will I suddenly owe the monthly fee?

Yes. If your direct deposit ends and you do not meet another fee-waiver condition (like the $500 balance or an active credit card), Chase will charge the $12 monthly fee starting the next month. You can switch to maintaining the minimum balance or open a credit card to avoid the fee, or you can accept the charge.

Does Chase charge to transfer money between my own accounts?

No. Transferring money between your own Chase checking and savings accounts is free. You can do this as often as you want through online banking or the mobile app with no fee.

If I overdraft, do I have to pay both the overdraft fee and the monthly maintenance fee?

Yes. The $35 overdraft fee and the $12 monthly maintenance fee are separate charges. You could be charged both in the same month if you overdraft and do not meet a fee-waiver condition. Using Overdraft Protection or maintaining a higher balance can help you avoid the overdraft fee.

Are there any Chase checking accounts with no monthly fee?

Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee until you turn 18. After that, it converts to Total Checking with the $12 fee. For adults, all Chase checking accounts have a monthly fee unless you meet one of the waiver conditions (direct deposit, minimum balance, or active credit card).