Chase checking accounts have fees, but you can avoid most of them

Chase charges monthly maintenance fees on most checking accounts, but waives them if you meet one simple requirement: keep a minimum balance or set up direct deposit. The Chase Total Checking account costs $12 per month unless you maintain $500 in the account or have a may have access to direct deposit. Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and requires either $25,000 in combined balances or a $5,000 direct deposit per month. If you do neither, the fee hits your account automatically.

Beyond the monthly fee, Chase charges for specific actions: overdrafts, wire transfers, stop payments, and expedited shipping of checks. These fees range from $3 to $35 depending on what you do. The overdraft fee is $35 per transaction if you go negative, though Chase gives you a grace period of a few hours after the transaction posts before the fee applies.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee that disappears if you keep $500 in the account or receive a direct deposit.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and requires either $25,000 in combined balances or $5,000 in monthly direct deposits to waive the fee.
  • Overdraft fees are $35 per transaction, but Chase waits a few hours after posting before charging, giving you time to deposit money.
  • Wire transfers, stop payments, and other services carry separate fees ranging from $3 to $35 each.
  • Chase waives fees for accounts linked to certain credit products or if you meet age or student status requirements.

Monthly maintenance fees and how to waive them

Chase's two main checking products charge different monthly fees. Total Checking costs $12 per month; Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month. Both fees post on the same day each month, usually the first business day after your statement closes.

You stop the fee by meeting one of two conditions. For Total Checking, deposit $500 or more by the end of the statement period, or have a single direct deposit of any amount hit the account during that period. For Premier Plus Checking, you need either $25,000 in combined balances across Chase accounts (checking, savings, money market, CDs) or a direct deposit of at least $5,000 in a single month.

Direct deposit is the easier path for most people. It counts even if it is a paycheck, Social Security, a pension, or a transfer from another bank. Chase counts the deposit as long as it is labeled as a direct deposit in the ACH system—a one-time transfer from your employer or benefit provider does not count, but an automatic recurring transfer does.

Overdraft and NSF fees

If you spend more money than you have in your account, Chase charges $35 per overdraft transaction. This fee applies once per transaction, not once per day, so if you make five purchases that overdraw your account on the same day, you could face five $35 fees.

Chase gives you a grace period. The fee does not post immediately when a transaction clears; instead, Chase waits until the end of the business day. If you deposit money before that deadline, the overdraft fee may not post at all. This window is typically a few hours, but the exact timing depends on when the transaction posts to your account.

Chase also offers Overdraft Protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or credit line. If you overdraw checking, Chase automatically transfers money from the linked account to cover it. This service is free, but you pay interest on any credit line balance you use, and transfers from savings may have limits.

Transaction and service fees

Beyond overdrafts, Chase charges for specific services. Wire transfers cost $15 for domestic wires and $20 for international ones. Stop payments (telling Chase to block a check you wrote) cost $30. Expedited check shipping costs $15. Cashier's checks cost $10 each. Returned deposit items (checks that bounce) cost $25.

Most of these fees apply whether you use a branch, phone, or online banking. Some fees vary slightly by account type or region, so confirm the current fee with Chase before you use the service. You can call 1-800-935-9935 or log into your online account to see the full fee schedule for your specific account.

Who does not pay monthly fees

Chase waives monthly maintenance fees for certain customers regardless of balance or direct deposit. Students under 25 with a valid student ID can open a Chase Student Checking account with no monthly fee. Customers age 65 and older can open Chase Senior Checking with no monthly fee.

If you have a Chase credit card, mortgage, or investment account, you may also may have access to for fee waivers. The specific products that trigger a waiver change periodically, so ask a Chase representative whether your existing accounts may have access to you for a free checking account.

How to compare Chase checking to other banks

Chase's $12 monthly fee is higher than many online banks, which often charge nothing. However, Chase has 4,700 branches and 16,000 ATMs nationwide, which matters if you deposit cash frequently or need in-person service. Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have no monthly fees but require you to deposit checks by phone or mail.

If you already have a Chase account or use Chase's branch network regularly, the $12 fee may be worth it. If you rarely visit a branch and can manage deposits online, a no-fee bank could save you $144 per year. The decision depends on how you actually use your checking account, not on which bank has the lowest advertised fee.

What happens if you do not pay a fee

If a monthly maintenance fee posts and you do not have enough money in the account to cover it, Chase treats it like an overdraft. The fee itself can trigger an overdraft fee if your balance goes negative. This creates a cascade: the $12 monthly fee overdrafts your account, then the $35 overdraft fee posts, and you now owe $47.

Chase will not close your account for unpaid fees, but the negative balance stays on your record. If you do not deposit money to cover it within a reasonable time, Chase may report the account to ChexSystems, a banking history database that other banks check before opening new accounts for you. This can make it harder to open accounts elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the monthly fee refunded if I did not know about it?

Chase may refund one or two months of fees if you call and explain that you were unaware of the requirement. Refunds are not may provide, but asking costs nothing. Call 1-800-935-9935 and ask to speak with an account specialist. Refunds are more likely if you have been a customer for a long time and have never asked before.

Does a transfer from another bank count as a direct deposit?

No. Chase only counts deposits labeled as direct deposits in the ACH system—typically paychecks, Social Security, pensions, and recurring transfers set up through your employer or benefit provider. A one-time transfer you initiate from another bank does not count, even if it is automatic.

What is the overdraft grace period, and how long do I have to deposit money?

Chase waits until the end of the business day to post overdraft fees, giving you a few hours after a transaction clears to deposit money. The exact window depends on when the transaction posts, which varies by merchant and payment type. Deposits made before the end of business day are your safest bet.

Do I pay overdraft fees on ATM withdrawals?

Yes. If you withdraw more than your balance at a Chase ATM or another bank's ATM, the withdrawal can overdraft your account and trigger the $35 fee. Chase ATMs are free to use, but the overdraft fee applies the same way as with debit card purchases.

Is there a checking account at Chase with no monthly fee?

Chase Student Checking and Chase Senior Checking have no monthly fees. If you do not may have access to for either, you can waive the $12 fee on Total Checking by keeping $500 in the account or setting up a direct deposit. Premier Plus Checking requires higher balances or deposits to waive the $25 fee.