Most Chase checking accounts have no monthly fee, but some do—and the fee disappears if you meet one simple requirement

Chase offers several checking accounts, and the vast majority charge zero monthly maintenance fees. The Chase Total Checking account (their most common option) costs nothing per month, period. The Chase Sapphire Checking account also has no monthly fee. If you open either of these, you will not be charged just for having the account.

The one exception is Chase Premier Plus Checking, which carries a $25 monthly fee—but that fee vanishes entirely if you keep a $25,000 minimum balance or set up a direct deposit of at least $500 per month. Most people who use this account do one or the other without thinking about it.

Beyond the monthly fee, Chase does charge for specific actions: overdrafts ($35 per transaction), wire transfers ($15 domestic, $20 international), and stopping a check ($30). These are not automatic; they only appear when you actually do those things. There are no hidden charges for simply holding the account open.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking have no monthly fee under any circumstance.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month unless you maintain a $25,000 balance or receive direct deposits of $500 or more monthly.
  • You will not be charged for deposits, withdrawals, transfers, or routine account activity—only for specific services like overdrafts or wire transfers.
  • If you close your account, Chase does not charge a closure fee, and you can move your money whenever you want.

What happens if you go negative or overdraw

An overdraft occurs when you spend more money than you have in your account. Chase will cover the transaction (so your payment goes through), but they charge you $35 for doing so. This fee applies once per day, meaning if you overdraw multiple times in one day, you pay $35 for each transaction.

Chase also offers Overdraft Protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or credit card. If you overdraw, Chase automatically transfers money from the linked account instead of charging you the $35 fee. Setting this up costs nothing, and it prevents the overdraft fee from happening in the first place. You can turn it on or off anytime through your Chase app or online banking.

If you do get hit with an overdraft fee, you can call Chase and ask them to reverse it—especially if it is your first time or if the overdraft was small. They do not always say yes, but many customers report success, particularly if they have been with Chase for a while or maintain a good account history.

Monthly fees compared to other banks

Chase's no-fee checking accounts are competitive with other large banks. Bank of America's basic checking account has no monthly fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit; without either, it costs $12 per month. Wells Fargo's basic checking is free with no minimum. Smaller regional banks and online banks like Ally and Charles Schwab also offer free checking with no strings attached.

The difference is usually in what you get for free. Chase offers thousands of ATMs nationwide and hundreds of branches where you can deposit cash or speak to someone in person. Online-only banks have no physical locations but often pay higher interest on savings accounts. If you value in-person banking and ATM access, Chase's free checking is a solid choice. If you rarely need a branch, an online bank might save you money on savings account interest rates.

How to avoid fees on a Chase checking account

The simplest way to avoid all fees is to open Chase Total Checking or Chase Sapphire Checking—neither has a monthly fee, and you do not need to do anything special to keep it that way. Just use the account normally: deposit your paycheck, pay your bills, withdraw cash. No minimum balance required, no direct deposit required, no activity requirement.

If you already have Premier Plus Checking and want to eliminate the $25 monthly fee, you have two options. Set up direct deposit from your employer (or from Social Security, a pension, or another regular income source) of at least $500 per month, or keep $25,000 in the account at all times. Most people find direct deposit easier since they are receiving that money anyway.

To avoid overdraft fees, keep a small buffer in your account—even $100 or $200 makes a difference. You can also turn on Overdraft Protection to link a savings account, so overdrafts are covered automatically. Check your account balance before making large purchases, and set up low-balance alerts in the Chase app so you get a notification when your balance drops below a number you choose.

When Chase might close your account

Chase can close a checking account without warning if you repeatedly overdraw, maintain a negative balance for an extended period, or engage in what they consider fraudulent activity. They can also close an account if you do not use it—though "not using it" typically means years of inactivity, not months. If your account is closed, Chase will send you a check for any remaining balance, usually within 30 days.

More commonly, Chase will freeze an account temporarily if they detect suspicious activity—a large wire transfer to a new recipient, a sudden spike in spending, or a login from an unusual location. This is a fraud prevention measure. You can call Chase to confirm the activity is legitimate, and they will unfreeze the account within hours or a day.

Interest rates on Chase checking accounts

Chase checking accounts pay very little interest—typically 0.01% APY or less on your balance. This means if you keep $10,000 in your checking account for a year, you will earn about $1 in interest. The interest rate varies slightly depending on which account you have and your balance, but it is never substantial.

If you want to earn meaningful interest, Chase offers savings accounts that pay higher rates (though still modest compared to online banks). You can keep your checking account at Chase for convenience and move money you are not spending into a high-yield savings account elsewhere. Many people do this: they use Chase checking for daily transactions and bills, and keep emergency savings in a separate account that pays better interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to keep a minimum balance in Chase Total Checking?

No. Chase Total Checking has no minimum balance requirement. You can keep $1 in the account or $100,000—the monthly fee does not change. The only account with a minimum balance option is Premier Plus Checking, where you can waive the $25 fee by keeping $25,000 on hand.

What if I want to switch from one Chase checking account to another?

You can open a new Chase checking account online or at a branch anytime. Once the new account is open, transfer your money over and close the old one. Closing costs nothing. You can do this entirely online through your Chase account, or ask a teller at a branch to help you.

Does Chase charge to deposit checks or transfer money between my own accounts?

No. Mobile check deposits, ATM deposits, transfers between your own Chase accounts, and transfers to other banks (ACH transfers) are all free. You only pay for wire transfers ($15 domestic, $20 international) and for stopping a check ($30).

Can I have multiple Chase checking accounts?

Yes. You can open as many Chase checking accounts as you want. Some people open one for bills, one for savings goals, and one for everyday spending. Each account has its own debit card and routing number, so you can manage money separately if you choose.

What happens if I close my Chase checking account and reopen one later?

You can close and reopen accounts freely. Chase does not charge a closure fee. If you closed an account years ago and want to open a new one, you can do so without penalty. The only limit is that Chase may review your account history if you have had multiple closures in a short time.