Chase charges for most wire transfers, but the fee depends on whether you send money domestically or internationally
Chase charges $15 for domestic wire transfers (money sent within the United States) and $25 for international wire transfers (money sent outside the US). These fees are deducted from your account when you initiate the transfer. Some Chase accounts waive these fees — primarily their premium checking and investment accounts — so the fee you pay depends on which account type you hold.
Wire transfers move money faster than ACH transfers or checks, but that speed comes at a cost. Chase applies the fee whether you send $100 or $10,000. If you send money regularly, the account type you choose matters more than the individual transfer fee.
Key Takeaways
- Domestic wire transfers through Chase cost $15 per transfer; international wire transfers cost $25 per transfer.
- Chase Premier Plus, Chase Sapphire Banking, and some business accounts waive wire transfer fees for account holders.
- The fee is charged at the time you send the transfer, not when the recipient receives it.
- Wire transfers typically arrive the same business day for domestic transfers and within one to three business days for international transfers.
Which Chase accounts waive wire transfer fees
Chase Premier Plus Checking waives domestic and international wire transfer fees. This account requires a minimum balance of $100,000 and charges a monthly fee of $25 if your balance falls below that threshold. If you maintain the balance, the wire transfer fee waiver essentially pays for itself if you send more than two domestic transfers per month.
Chase Sapphire Banking also waives wire transfer fees and requires a $500,000 minimum balance across your Chase accounts (checking, savings, and investments combined). This account is designed for higher-net-worth customers and includes other benefits like higher interest rates on savings.
Some Chase business accounts, including Chase Business Complete Banking and Chase Business Platinum Checking, waive wire transfer fees. The specific terms depend on your business account type and the balance you maintain. Contact Chase directly or check your account agreement to confirm whether your business account includes this waiver.
How to send a wire transfer through Chase
You can send a wire transfer through Chase online, by phone, or in person at a branch. Online is the fastest method: log into your Chase account, select "Send Money," then choose "Wire Transfer." You will need the recipient's full name, bank name, routing number, and account number for domestic transfers. For international transfers, you will also need the recipient's address and the bank's SWIFT code.
Chase processes domestic wire transfers the same business day if you send before 2 p.m. ET on a weekday. Transfers sent after 2 p.m. or on weekends are processed the next business day. International wire transfers typically take one to three business days to arrive, depending on the destination country and the receiving bank's processing speed.
If you call Chase or visit a branch to send a wire transfer, the fee remains the same. Some branches may charge an additional fee for in-person service, though this is not standard across all locations. Calling Chase to send a wire transfer is slower than using the online portal and may add one business day to processing time.
Incoming wire transfers and receiving fees
Chase does not charge a fee to receive domestic wire transfers. International wire transfers received by Chase customers are also free. However, if the wire transfer passes through multiple banks before reaching your Chase account, those intermediary banks may deduct their own fees from the amount you receive. This is called a "correspondent banking fee," and it reduces the amount that lands in your account.
When you provide your account details to someone sending you money internationally, ask them to specify that fees should be paid by the sender, not deducted from the transfer amount. This instruction is called "OUR" (Originating User's Responsibility) in banking terms, and it tells the sending bank to charge the sender's account for any intermediary fees rather than reducing your deposit.
Wire transfers versus other payment methods
Wire transfers are faster than ACH transfers but cost more. An ACH transfer through Chase is free and typically arrives within one to three business days. If you are not in a hurry, ACH is cheaper. Wire transfers are best used when you need money to arrive the same day or when you are sending a large amount and speed matters more than cost.
Peer-to-peer payment apps like Zelle, which is integrated into Chase's mobile app, are free and often arrive within minutes. However, Zelle has daily and monthly sending limits (typically $500 to $2,000 per day, depending on your bank), so it does not work for large transfers. For amounts over those limits or when the recipient does not use Zelle, a wire transfer is necessary.
Cashier's checks are free at most Chase branches and arrive within one to three business days, similar to ACH. They work when the recipient needs a may provide payment but does not have a bank account for wire transfers. The tradeoff is that checks are slower and require a trip to the branch.
What happens if a wire transfer goes wrong
If you send a wire transfer to the wrong account number, the money may land in someone else's account. Unlike ACH transfers, wire transfers cannot be reversed once they are sent. Chase can attempt to recover the funds by contacting the receiving bank, but recovery is not may provide and can take weeks or months. If the receiving bank refuses to return the money, you may have no recourse.
Always double-check the recipient's account number and routing number before sending. Ask the recipient to confirm these details in writing. If you realize you made an error immediately after sending, call Chase right away — the sooner you report it, the better the chance of recovery.
If you do not receive a wire transfer you were expecting, check your account to confirm it did not arrive. Contact Chase with the sender's name, the amount, and the date they said they sent it. Chase can trace the transfer and determine whether it is still in transit, was rejected by the receiving bank, or was sent to the wrong account. Tracing a wire transfer typically takes three to five business days.
International wire transfer details
Sending money internationally through Chase costs $25 and requires additional information beyond a domestic transfer. You need the recipient's SWIFT code (an eight- or eleven-character code that identifies their bank internationally) and their IBAN (International Bank Account Number) if they are in Europe or certain other regions. Some countries use different account identification systems, so confirm the format with the recipient or their bank before sending.
Exchange rates matter for international transfers. Chase applies its own exchange rate, which is typically higher than the mid-market rate you see online. This means you lose money on the conversion. If you are sending a large amount internationally, compare Chase's rate to services like Wise (formerly TransferWise), which often offer better rates, though they may take longer to arrive.
International wire transfers are not insured by the FDIC once they leave Chase's system. If the receiving bank loses or mishandles the transfer, you may have limited recourse. For this reason, confirm with the recipient that they received the funds before considering the transaction complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a wire transfer after I send it?
Domestic wire transfers cannot be cancelled once they are sent. If you realize you made a mistake immediately after sending, call Chase right away and ask them to attempt a recall, but this rarely succeeds. International wire transfers may be cancellable within a short window (usually a few hours), so call Chase immediately if you need to stop one.
Why does my wire transfer say "pending" for more than one business day?
Domestic transfers should arrive the same business day if sent before 2 p.m. ET on a weekday. If it is still pending after one business day, the receiving bank may be processing it slowly, or there may be an issue with the account number. Contact Chase to confirm the transfer was sent correctly and ask them to check the status with the receiving bank.
Do I pay the wire transfer fee if the transfer fails?
Chase charges the fee when you initiate the transfer, not when it arrives. If the transfer fails because of an incorrect account number or other error, the fee is not refunded. You will need to send another wire transfer and pay another fee. This is why confirming account details before sending is critical.
Is there a limit to how much I can wire transfer?
Chase does not publish a single wire transfer limit that applies to all customers. Limits depend on your account type, account history, and the amount of money in your account. Large transfers may trigger fraud reviews and require additional verification. Contact Chase to ask about your specific limit before sending a large wire transfer.
What is the difference between a wire transfer and a bank transfer?
"Bank transfer" is a general term that includes wire transfers, ACH transfers, and other methods. A wire transfer is a specific type of bank transfer that moves money through the Federal Reserve's wire network and arrives the same day (for domestic transfers). ACH transfers are slower and free, while wire transfers are faster and cost money.