Chase charges monthly fees on most checking and savings accounts, but you can waive them by meeting specific requirements

Chase does charge monthly maintenance fees on most of its checking and savings accounts. The fee amount varies by account type — typically between $12 and $25 per month — but every Chase account has a way to avoid paying it. The most common way is to keep a minimum balance, usually between $500 and $1,500 depending on the account. You can also waive fees by setting up direct deposit, maintaining a certain number of debit card transactions per month, or keeping a linked savings account with Chase.

The specific fee and the ways to avoid it depend on which Chase account you have. Chase offers different checking accounts aimed at different customers, and each one has its own fee structure and waiver options. Understanding which account you have and what its requirements are takes about five minutes and can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase checking accounts charge between $12 and $25 per month unless you meet one of several waiver requirements.
  • The most straightforward waiver is maintaining a minimum balance, which ranges from $500 to $1,500 depending on your account type.
  • Direct deposit, a certain number of debit card transactions per month, or a linked savings account can also waive the monthly fee on most Chase accounts.
  • Chase savings accounts also charge monthly fees ($5 to $25) that can be waived by maintaining a minimum balance or linking a checking account.
  • You can find your account type and current fee structure by logging into Chase online, calling customer service, or visiting a branch.

Chase checking account fees and how to avoid them

Chase's main checking account is the Chase Total Checking account, which charges a $12 monthly fee. You can waive this fee in four ways: keep a minimum balance of $500, set up direct deposit, make 10 or more debit card transactions in a month, or maintain a linked Chase savings account with a $300 minimum balance.

If you want a checking account with higher perks, Chase also offers Chase Premier Plus Checking, which charges $25 per month. The waiver options are the same structure but with higher thresholds: a $1,500 minimum balance, direct deposit, 25 debit card transactions per month, or a linked savings account with a $500 minimum balance. This account comes with benefits like higher interest rates on the linked savings account and no out-of-network ATM fees worldwide.

Chase also offers Chase Student Checking, which has no monthly fee for the first five years after you open it. Once that period ends, it converts to Chase Total Checking and the $12 fee applies unless you meet one of the waiver requirements.

Chase savings account fees

Chase savings accounts also charge monthly maintenance fees. Chase Savings charges $5 per month, and you can waive it by keeping a $300 minimum balance or linking it to a Chase checking account. Chase Premier Savings charges $25 per month and requires either a $10,000 minimum balance or a linked Premier Plus Checking account to avoid the fee.

If you are opening a savings account primarily to avoid a checking account fee, linking it to your checking account is usually the easiest path. The savings account does not need to have much money in it — just enough to meet the minimum balance requirement, which is typically $300 or less.

What happens if you do not meet the waiver requirements

If you do not meet any of the waiver requirements, Chase will charge the monthly fee to your account automatically. The fee comes out on the same day each month, usually around the first or the day your account was opened. If your account balance drops below zero because of the fee, Chase may charge an overdraft fee on top of it.

You can see whether you are currently being charged a fee by logging into your Chase account online or checking your most recent statement. The fee will appear as a line item labeled "Monthly Maintenance Fee" or "Service Charge." If you are being charged and you believe you should not be, contact Chase customer service to review your account and ask them to reverse the fee if you recently met a waiver requirement.

How to check if you are currently paying a monthly fee

Log into your Chase account online and go to your account details or statement page. Look for a line item that says "Monthly Maintenance Fee," "Service Charge," or "Monthly Service Fee." If you see it, you are being charged. You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card, or visit a branch and ask a representative to review your account.

If you are being charged and you want to stop, ask the representative which waiver option is easiest for you to meet. If you already meet one — for example, you have direct deposit set up — ask them to investigate why the fee is still being charged. Sometimes the system does not register direct deposit immediately, or there may be a delay in processing.

How to waive your monthly fee going forward

The easiest waiver for most people is direct deposit. If your employer or a government agency (like Social Security) deposits money into your Chase account, the fee is automatically waived. You do not have to do anything after the first deposit goes through — it stays waived as long as direct deposits continue.

If you do not have direct deposit, the next easiest option is usually maintaining a minimum balance. For Chase Total Checking, that is $500. If you can keep at least $500 in your account at all times, the fee never charges. This works well if you have a steady paycheck and do not spend down to zero between paychecks.

The debit card transaction option requires you to use your Chase debit card a certain number of times per month — 10 times for Total Checking, 25 times for Premier Plus. This includes purchases at stores, ATM withdrawals, and online transactions. If you use your debit card regularly, you may already meet this without trying.

Linking a savings account is the option that works best if you want to keep your checking account balance low. Open a Chase savings account, deposit the minimum required amount (usually $300), and link it to your checking account. Both fees are then waived as long as the savings account maintains its minimum balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Chase charge a monthly fee if I have no money in my account?

Yes. If your account balance is zero or negative when the monthly fee is due, Chase will still charge it. This can push your account into overdraft, which triggers an additional overdraft fee. If this happens, contact Chase and ask them to reverse the overdraft fee as a courtesy, especially if it was caused by the monthly maintenance fee itself.

Does direct deposit have to be from my employer, or can it be from anywhere?

Direct deposit from an employer or government agency (Social Security, tax refunds, unemployment benefits) counts toward the waiver. Transfers you make yourself from another bank do not count. Chase will recognize the deposit automatically once it arrives.

What if I meet one waiver requirement but Chase still charges the fee?

Call Chase customer service or visit a branch and ask them to review your account. Sometimes there is a processing delay, or the system may not have registered your direct deposit or debit card transactions yet. Ask them to reverse the fee if you have met the requirement. Many representatives will do this as a one-time courtesy.

Are there Chase accounts with no monthly fee at all?

Chase Student Checking has no fee for the first five years. After that, it converts to a regular checking account with a fee. Chase also occasionally offers promotional periods with no fees, but these are temporary. Your best bet for a permanent no-fee account is to meet one of the waiver requirements on a standard account.

If I close my Chase account, do I owe the monthly fees that were charged?

No. Monthly maintenance fees are charged to the account, not billed separately. When you close the account, any remaining balance (after fees are deducted) is returned to you. You do not owe anything beyond what was already charged to the account.