Chase offers five main checking accounts, each with different fees, minimum balances, and features
Chase has multiple checking accounts because different people have different banking needs. If you keep a low balance, you need a different account than someone who maintains $15,000 and wants rewards. Chase's lineup includes Chase Total Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, Chase Secure Checking, and Chase Student Checking. Each one has its own monthly fee (or no fee), minimum balance requirement, and perks.
The account you choose affects how much you pay in fees each month and what you get in return. Some accounts waive the monthly fee if you meet a balance threshold; others waive it if you set up direct deposit. A few have no monthly fee at all. Understanding which account matches your situation means you won't overpay for features you don't use or get hit with fees you could have avoided.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee but waives it with a $500 minimum balance or direct deposit of $500 or more per month.
- Chase Sapphire Checking requires a $10,000 minimum balance but offers higher interest rates and waives the $25 monthly fee if you meet that balance.
- Chase Secure Checking has no monthly fee and no minimum balance, making it the lowest-barrier option for new or rebuilding customers.
- Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee and no minimum balance for students under 24, and converts to Chase Total Checking when you age out.
- You can open multiple checking accounts at Chase, though the bank limits how many accounts you can open in a given time period.
Chase Total Checking: The standard account for most customers
Chase Total Checking is the most common account. It has a $12 monthly fee, but Chase waives it if you keep a $500 minimum balance or receive direct deposit of $500 or more each month. You get a debit card, online banking, mobile check deposit, and access to Chase's ATM network. There is no interest paid on the balance.
This account works well if you get a regular paycheck deposited directly or if you can keep $500 in the account at all times. If you do neither, you pay $12 every month. The account comes with overdraft protection options, though overdraft fees apply if you use them.
Chase Sapphire Checking: For customers with higher balances
Chase Sapphire Checking requires a $10,000 minimum balance to waive the $25 monthly fee. The main advantage is that it pays interest on your balance—the rate varies and is set by Chase, so check the current rate before opening. You also get priority customer service, higher ATM withdrawal limits, and some travel protections.
This account makes sense only if you regularly keep $10,000 or more in checking. If your balance drops below $10,000, you pay the $25 fee that month. If you have the money sitting in checking anyway, the interest and perks may offset the fee requirement. If you would have to move money around to meet the minimum, the account probably costs more than it saves.
Chase Secure Checking: No fees, no minimum balance
Chase Secure Checking has no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement. You get a debit card, online banking, and mobile check deposit. The tradeoff is that there is no interest paid on the balance, and the account is designed for people who are new to banking or rebuilding credit.
This account is straightforward: you pay nothing to hold it, and you can use it like any other checking account. It does not report to credit bureaus, so it will not help or hurt your credit score. If you later want to move to a different Chase checking account, you can do so.
Chase Student Checking: For customers under 24
Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee and no minimum balance for students under 24 with a valid student ID. You get a debit card, online banking, and mobile check deposit. The account automatically converts to Chase Total Checking when you turn 24 or are no longer a student, at which point the $12 monthly fee applies unless you meet the waiver conditions.
This account is designed to let students bank without fees while they are in school. Plan ahead for the conversion: when you turn 24, make sure you either set up direct deposit or keep a $500 balance to avoid the monthly fee on the converted account.
How to choose between Chase checking accounts
Start by asking whether you get direct deposit. If yes, Chase Total Checking waives its fee and is usually the best choice. If no, ask whether you can keep $500 in the account at all times. If yes, Total Checking still works. If no, look at Secure Checking, which has no fee and no minimum.
If you keep $10,000 or more in checking regularly and want to earn interest, Sapphire Checking may be worth the $25 fee—but only if you would keep that money in checking anyway. If you are a student under 24, Student Checking is free and has no minimum. Once you graduate or turn 24, you will need to switch to a different account.
You can open more than one checking account at Chase, though the bank has limits on how many accounts you can open within a certain time frame. Some people keep one account for bills and another for savings or specific purposes, but there is no requirement to do so.
Fees and waivers at a glance
| Account | Monthly Fee | Fee Waiver Options | Minimum Balance | Interest Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $12 | $500 balance or $500+ direct deposit | None required | No |
| Chase Sapphire Checking | $25 | $10,000 balance | $10,000 to waive fee | Yes (variable rate) |
| Chase Secure Checking | None | N/A | None | No |
| Chase Student Checking | None (under 24) | N/A | None | No |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | $25 | $15,000 balance or $500+ direct deposit | $15,000 to waive fee | Yes (variable rate) |
What happens if you do not meet the waiver conditions
If you have Chase Total Checking but do not keep a $500 balance and do not receive direct deposit, you pay $12 every month. That adds up to $144 per year. If you have Sapphire Checking and your balance drops below $10,000, you pay $25 that month. If you have Premier Plus Checking and do not meet the $15,000 balance or direct deposit requirement, you pay $25.
You can avoid these fees by switching to Secure Checking at any time, which has no fee and no minimum. You can also call Chase and ask about fee waivers in some cases, though the bank is not required to grant them. The safest approach is to choose an account that matches your actual banking habits, not the habits you wish you had.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one checking account at Chase?
Yes, you can open multiple checking accounts at Chase. However, the bank limits how many accounts you can open in a given time period—typically one or two per month. If you want multiple accounts, contact Chase or visit a branch to ask about current limits.
What is the difference between Chase Total Checking and Sapphire Checking?
Chase Total Checking has a $12 fee waived with $500 balance or direct deposit, and pays no interest. Sapphire Checking has a $25 fee waived with $10,000 balance, and pays interest on your balance. Choose Sapphire only if you keep $10,000 in checking regularly and want the interest and perks.
Do I pay a fee to switch from one Chase checking account to another?
No, switching between Chase checking accounts is free. You can close one account and open another, or keep both open if you want. There is no penalty for moving your money between them.
What happens to my Student Checking account when I turn 24?
Your Student Checking account automatically converts to Chase Total Checking on your 24th birthday. The $12 monthly fee then applies unless you set up direct deposit of $500 or more per month or keep a $500 minimum balance.
Does Chase Secure Checking help build credit?
No, Chase Secure Checking does not report to credit bureaus, so it will not help or hurt your credit score. It is designed for banking access, not credit building. If you want to build credit, you would need a different product, such as a secured credit card.