Chase charges fees on most checking accounts, but you can avoid them by meeting account requirements

Chase does charge monthly maintenance fees on most of its checking accounts, but the fee amount and how to waive it depend on which account you open. The most common Chase checking account, the Chase Total Checking, costs $12 per month — but Chase waives the fee if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $500, set up direct deposit, or link a Chase savings account. Other Chase checking products have different fee structures and waiver options.

The key is understanding which account you have and what Chase requires to avoid the monthly charge. If you do not meet the waiver requirements, the fee posts to your account automatically each month.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking costs $12 per month but the fee is waived if you keep $500 in the account, set up direct deposit, or link a Chase savings account.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and requires either a $1,500 minimum daily balance or a linked Chase savings account to waive the fee.
  • Chase Student Checking has no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance requirement.
  • If you are charged a fee you believe was incorrect, you can contact Chase to request a reversal, though Chase does not may provide it will remove the charge.

Chase Total Checking: the most common account and its fee waiver options

Chase Total Checking is the standard checking account most people open at Chase. The monthly maintenance fee is $12, but Chase removes it if you meet any one of these conditions: maintain an average daily balance of $500 or more, set up at least one direct deposit per month, or link a Chase savings account to your checking account.

Direct deposit is the easiest waiver for most people because it requires no balance threshold. If your employer or a government program (such as Social Security) deposits money into your Chase checking account, the fee is automatically waived for that month. The deposit must post to the account; pending deposits do not count.

If you cannot maintain $500 and do not receive direct deposits, linking a savings account works as a third option. Chase will waive the checking fee as long as the savings account is open and in good standing, regardless of the savings account balance.

Chase Premier Plus Checking: higher balance requirement and higher fee

Chase Premier Plus Checking is designed for customers who want additional perks like higher interest rates on savings and waived wire transfer fees. The monthly maintenance fee is $25, and it is waived only if you maintain an average daily balance of $1,500 or more in the checking account itself, or if you link a Chase savings account.

Unlike Total Checking, Premier Plus does not offer direct deposit as a waiver option. You must either keep the balance or link savings. If you do not meet either requirement, the $25 fee posts each month.

Chase Student Checking: no monthly fee or minimum balance

Chase Student Checking has no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance requirement. This account is available to students under age 24 with a valid student ID. Once you turn 24 or are no longer a student, Chase will convert the account to Chase Total Checking, and the $12 monthly fee will apply unless you meet one of the waiver conditions.

If you are a student, this is the lowest-cost way to maintain a Chase checking account. Confirm your student status when you open the account so Chase sets it up correctly.

Other Chase checking accounts and their fees

Chase also offers Chase Secure Checking, which is designed for people with banking history issues or those rebuilding credit. This account has a $4.95 monthly maintenance fee with no waiver options — you pay it every month regardless of balance or deposits. There is no minimum balance requirement.

Chase also offers business checking accounts with different fee structures. Business checking fees typically start at $15 per month and vary based on account type and transaction volume.

What happens if you are charged a fee you did not expect

If a monthly maintenance fee posts to your account and you believe it should have been waived, contact Chase through your online account, by phone, or at a branch. Explain which waiver condition you met — for example, that you received a direct deposit that month or maintained the required balance.

Chase may reverse a single fee if you can show you met the waiver requirement. However, Chase does not may provide a reversal, and the decision depends on the circumstances and the representative you speak with. If you were charged multiple months in a row, ask about each month separately.

To avoid disputes, check your account settings in Chase's mobile app or online banking to confirm which account type you have and what the fee waiver requirements are. Chase displays this information in your account details.

How to choose the right Chase checking account based on your situation

If you receive regular direct deposits from an employer or government program, Chase Total Checking is the right choice because the $12 fee is waived automatically. If you do not receive direct deposits but can keep $500 in the account, Total Checking is still your best option.

If you are a student under 24, open Chase Student Checking to avoid fees entirely. If you are rebuilding credit or have banking issues, Chase Secure Checking costs $4.95 per month with no waiver options, which is lower than Total Checking but requires you to pay the fee every month.

If you want premium features and can maintain $1,500 in the account or link a savings account, Premier Plus Checking may be worth the $25 monthly fee, depending on the value of the perks it offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I avoid the Chase checking fee by keeping money in a savings account instead of checking?

For Total Checking, yes — linking a Chase savings account waives the $12 fee, regardless of how much money is in the savings account. For Premier Plus, linking a savings account also waives the $25 fee. The savings account must be open and in good standing, but the balance does not matter.

What if I close my linked savings account after using it to waive the checking fee?

If you close the linked savings account, the waiver is no longer active. Chase will charge the monthly maintenance fee on your checking account starting the next billing cycle unless you meet another waiver condition, such as direct deposit or the minimum balance.

Does Chase charge fees for other checking account activities like overdrafts or transfers?

Yes. Chase charges an overdraft fee (currently $35 per overdraft) if your account goes negative, though Chase does offer overdraft protection options. Transfers between your own Chase accounts are free, but wire transfers and out-of-network ATM withdrawals may have fees depending on your account type.

Can I switch from Chase Total Checking to Student Checking if I go back to school?

Yes, but you must be under 24 and provide a valid student ID. Contact Chase at a branch or by phone to convert your account. If you are over 24, you cannot open a Student Checking account, even if you are enrolled in school.

What if I do not meet any of the waiver requirements for Total Checking?

The $12 monthly maintenance fee will post to your account every month. Your only options are to meet one of the waiver conditions, switch to a different account type, or close the account and bank elsewhere. Some online banks offer checking accounts with no monthly fees and no minimum balance.