Chase checking accounts have monthly fees, but you can waive them

Chase charges a monthly service fee on most checking accounts, but the fee disappears if you meet one simple requirement: keep a minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or maintain a linked savings account with a certain balance. The exact fee and the way to avoid it depends on which Chase checking account you open. Chase's most common account, the Chase Total Checking, costs $12 per month unless you meet one of the waiver conditions.

Beyond the monthly fee, Chase also charges for specific actions: overdrafts, wire transfers, stop payments, and returned checks all carry separate fees. Some of these fees are avoidable if you set up overdraft protection or monitor your balance. Others are fixed costs you pay only when you use that service.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking costs $12 per month, but the fee is waived if you maintain a $500 minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or link a savings account with $500 in it.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and requires either a $1,500 minimum balance or direct deposit to waive the fee.
  • Overdraft fees run $35 per transaction, and Chase allows multiple overdrafts per day, so a single mistake can cost you hundreds in fees.
  • Wire transfers, stop payments, and returned checks each carry separate fees ranging from $15 to $35.
  • You can avoid most fees by choosing the right account for your habits and setting up direct deposit if your employer offers it.

Monthly fees by account type

Chase offers three main checking accounts, each with a different monthly fee and different ways to waive it. The Chase Total Checking account is the most common and costs $12 per month. You can waive this fee by maintaining a $500 minimum daily balance, setting up at least one direct deposit per month, or keeping a linked Chase savings account with a $500 minimum balance.

The Chase Premier Plus Checking account costs $25 per month and is designed for customers who want higher account limits and priority customer service. The fee is waived if you maintain a $1,500 minimum daily balance or set up direct deposit. This account also includes benefits like higher daily ATM withdrawal limits and no foreign transaction fees on debit card purchases.

The Chase Student Checking account has no monthly fee for the first five years after you open it, as long as you are under 24 years old. After that, it converts to a Chase Total Checking account and the $12 monthly fee applies unless you meet one of the waiver conditions.

Overdraft and insufficient funds fees

Chase charges $35 for each transaction that overdrafts your account — meaning you spend money you do not have. This fee applies whether you overdraft by $1 or $100. Chase also allows multiple overdrafts per day, so if you make five purchases that overdraft your account, you could be charged $175 in overdraft fees in a single day.

You can reduce overdraft risk by linking a savings account to your checking account and turning on overdraft protection. When overdraft protection is on, Chase transfers money from your savings account to cover the shortfall instead of charging an overdraft fee. However, Chase charges a $10 fee for each transfer, so this is cheaper than an overdraft fee but not free.

If you want to avoid overdraft fees entirely, you can turn off overdraft protection and opt out of overdraft coverage. When you do this, Chase will decline transactions that would overdraft your account instead of charging you a fee. This means your debit card or check will be rejected, but you will not owe money.

Wire transfer, stop payment, and returned check fees

Chase charges $15 for outgoing domestic wire transfers and $45 for outgoing international wire transfers. Incoming wire transfers are free. If you need to stop payment on a check you wrote, Chase charges $30 per stop payment request. If a check you deposit bounces or a transfer you receive is reversed, Chase charges $15 for the returned item.

These fees apply only when you use these services, so you avoid them by not using them. However, if you write checks regularly or send money to people outside the United States, these fees can add up. Some online banks and credit unions offer free or cheaper wire transfers and stop payments, so if you use these services often, it may be worth comparing.

ATM fees and out-of-network charges

Chase does not charge a fee when you use a Chase ATM or a MoneyPass ATM, which is part of Chase's network of over 30,000 ATMs nationwide. However, if you use an ATM that is not part of Chase's network, the other bank charges you a fee — usually $2 to $3 — and Chase may charge you an additional $1 to $2 fee for using an out-of-network ATM.

To avoid ATM fees, use a Chase ATM or a MoneyPass ATM when you need cash. You can find the nearest Chase ATM or MoneyPass ATM using the Chase mobile app or the MoneyPass website. If you travel frequently or live far from a Chase branch, the large ATM network may be worth the $12 monthly fee compared to smaller banks with fewer ATMs.

How to choose the right account and minimize fees

The best way to minimize Chase checking fees is to choose an account that matches your banking habits and then meet one of the fee waiver conditions. If your employer offers direct deposit, setting it up is the easiest way to waive the monthly fee on either Chase Total Checking or Chase Premier Plus Checking. Direct deposit takes a few minutes to set up through your employer's payroll system, and once it is active, the fee waiver is automatic.

If you do not have direct deposit, maintaining the minimum balance is the next easiest option. For Chase Total Checking, you need to keep $500 in the account at all times. This is a low bar for most people, but if you live paycheck to paycheck, it may be difficult. In that case, linking a savings account with $500 in it works just as well and lets you keep your checking balance lower.

Beyond the monthly fee, avoid overdrafts by checking your balance before making large purchases and setting up account alerts. Chase lets you set up alerts for low balances, large transactions, or when your balance drops below a certain amount. These alerts arrive by text or email and give you time to transfer money or adjust your spending before you overdraft.

Comparing Chase to other banks

Chase is not the only bank that charges monthly checking fees. Most large national banks — Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank — charge similar monthly fees and have similar waiver conditions. However, many online banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement.

Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover offer free checking with no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no overdraft fees (they simply decline transactions instead). Credit unions often offer free checking to members as well. The trade-off is that online banks have fewer physical branches and ATMs, so if you need to deposit cash or speak to someone in person, a traditional bank like Chase may be more convenient.

If you value Chase's branch network and ATM access, the $12 monthly fee for Chase Total Checking is competitive with other large banks. If you rarely visit a branch and do not need cash deposits, an online bank with no monthly fee may save you money over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I waive the Chase checking account fee without direct deposit?

Yes. You can waive the $12 monthly fee on Chase Total Checking by maintaining a $500 minimum daily balance or by linking a savings account with $500 in it. You do not need direct deposit if you can meet one of these other conditions.

What happens if I overdraft my Chase checking account?

Chase charges $35 per overdraft transaction. If you make multiple purchases that overdraft your account on the same day, you can be charged $35 for each one. You can avoid overdraft fees by turning off overdraft coverage, which causes transactions to be declined instead, or by linking a savings account for overdraft protection (which costs $10 per transfer).

Does Chase charge for incoming wire transfers?

No. Chase does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers. You are only charged when you send a wire transfer: $15 for domestic transfers and $45 for international transfers.

Are there Chase checking accounts with no monthly fee?

Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee for the first five years if you are under 24 years old. After that, it converts to Chase Total Checking and the $12 monthly fee applies unless you meet a waiver condition. All other Chase checking accounts have a monthly fee unless you meet the waiver requirements.

How do I set up direct deposit to waive my Chase checking fee?

Contact your employer's payroll or human resources department and ask them to set up direct deposit to your Chase checking account. You will need to provide your account number and routing number, which you can find on the bottom left of your checks or in the Chase mobile app. Once your employer processes the request, direct deposit usually begins within one to two pay periods.