Chase Total Checking has a monthly fee, but it can be waived
Chase Total Checking costs $12 per month, but you can avoid the fee entirely by meeting one of these conditions: keep a minimum daily balance of $500, set up a direct deposit of any amount, or maintain an average daily balance of $1,500 across the month. Most people waive it through direct deposit, which requires your employer or benefits provider to send paychecks or payments straight to the account.
If you do not meet any waiver condition in a given month, Chase charges the full $12. There is no partial fee — you either trigger a waiver or you pay. The fee posts on the last day of the statement cycle, so you have until then to meet one of the three conditions.
Key Takeaways
- The $12 monthly fee disappears if you set up direct deposit, keep $500 in the account daily, or maintain an average balance of $1,500 per month.
- Direct deposit is the easiest waiver for most people and requires only one setup step with your employer or benefits provider.
- If you fall short of all three waivers in a month, Chase charges the full $12 with no reduction or partial credit.
- The account includes unlimited debit card transactions, ATM access at Chase branches nationwide, and no limit on how many checks you can write.
How the three fee waivers work
Direct deposit is the most common waiver. Any recurring deposit from an employer, government agency, or benefits program counts — Social Security, unemployment, pension payments, and paychecks all may have access to. You set it up once through your employer's payroll system or the benefits provider's website, and the waiver applies automatically each month as long as deposits keep coming. If deposits stop, the waiver stops too.
Minimum daily balance of $500 means you cannot drop below that amount on any single day of the month. If you have $500 on day one and $499 on day fifteen, you miss the waiver for that month. This is the strictest option because it requires constant monitoring and leaves no room for unexpected expenses.
Average daily balance of $1,500 is calculated across the entire month. If you have $2,000 for half the month and $1,000 for the other half, your average is $1,500 and the fee is waived. This gives you more flexibility than the daily minimum because one low-balance day does not disqualify you, but you still need to keep substantial money in the account.
What you get for the fee (or for free if waived)
Chase Total Checking includes unlimited debit card transactions with no per-swipe fee, access to over 4,700 Chase ATMs nationwide, and the ability to write as many checks as you want. You also get online and mobile banking, bill pay, and the option to link the account to other Chase products like savings accounts or credit cards.
The account does not charge overdraft fees if you link it to a Chase savings account and set up overdraft protection — the bank transfers money from savings to cover shortfalls instead of charging a fee. Without overdraft protection, an overdraft costs $35 per occurrence.
When Chase Total Checking makes sense
This account works best if you receive direct deposits, because that waiver requires no ongoing effort. If your employer or benefits provider already sends money to a bank account, switching to Chase and setting up direct deposit there takes one phone call or online form.
It also works if you maintain a balance of $500 or more anyway for emergencies or regular expenses. The $12 fee is then simply the cost of having a checking account at a major bank with nationwide ATM access. If you cannot meet any waiver and would pay the fee every month, a free checking account at another bank or credit union may save you $144 per year.
Comparing Total Checking to Chase's other checking options
| Account | Monthly Fee | Fee Waivers | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $12 | Direct deposit, $500 daily balance, or $1,500 average balance | People who receive direct deposits or maintain a balance |
| Chase Secure Checking | $0 | None — always free | People with no credit history or prior banking problems |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | $25 | $15,000 balance or $25,000 in linked Chase accounts | High-balance customers who want premium perks |
Chase Secure Checking is free with no balance requirement or direct deposit needed, but it comes with a debit card that requires PIN verification for every transaction and no check-writing ability. It is designed for people rebuilding credit or opening their first bank account.
Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month but includes higher balance waivers, concierge services, and other premium features. Most people do not need it unless they maintain very large balances or want the extra services.
How to set up direct deposit to waive the fee
Contact your employer's payroll or human resources department and ask for the direct deposit form. You will need to provide your Chase account number and routing number, both visible on the bottom left of any check or available through Chase's mobile app or website. Fill out the form, submit it, and the setup usually takes one to two pay cycles to activate.
If you receive government benefits like Social Security or unemployment, log into the benefits program's website and update your banking information there. The Social Security Administration, state unemployment offices, and other agencies all allow you to change your deposit account online without calling.
What happens if you miss a waiver in a given month
Chase charges $12 on the last day of your statement cycle. The fee appears as a line item on your statement and reduces your account balance. If you miss the waiver one month but meet it the next month, the fee does not carry over — you simply pay $12 that one time.
If you consistently miss all three waivers, you can close the account and open Chase Secure Checking instead, which has no monthly fee. There is no penalty for closing Total Checking, though Chase may report the closure to ChexSystems, a banking history database that some banks check when you open new accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I waive the fee with a savings account balance?
No. Chase only counts money in the Total Checking account itself toward the balance waivers. A linked savings account does not count, even if you have thousands in it. You must keep the $500 or $1,500 in the checking account.
Does a one-time transfer count as direct deposit?
No. Direct deposit must be a recurring, automatic transfer set up through your employer or benefits provider. A one-time ACH transfer you initiate yourself does not trigger the waiver, even if it comes from your employer's bank account.
What if my direct deposit stops?
The waiver ends the month after deposits stop. If you receive paychecks every two weeks and miss one, you still have the waiver that month because the deposit came through. If deposits stop entirely, you must meet one of the other two waivers or pay the $12 fee starting the following month.
Is there a way to get the fee refunded if I just missed the waiver?
Chase does not automatically refund the fee, but you can call customer service and ask them to review your account. They may reverse one fee as a courtesy, especially if you are a long-time customer or if you meet a waiver shortly after the fee posts. There is no may provide, but it is worth asking.
Do I need to keep the $500 minimum in checking if I have overdraft protection linked to savings?
Yes. The $500 minimum is a separate requirement from overdraft protection. You need $500 in checking to waive the fee, and you need a linked savings account to use overdraft protection. Meeting one does not satisfy the other.