What Chase Total Checking Is

Chase Total Checking is a standard checking account from Chase Bank that comes with a debit card, online banking, and mobile app access. It is not a premium account — it sits in the middle of Chase's checking lineup, below their premium options but above their most basic account. You can open one at a Chase branch, online, or through their mobile app.

The account lets you write checks, make deposits, withdraw cash at Chase ATMs and partner ATMs, and move money between accounts. You get a debit card that works everywhere Visa is accepted. There is no minimum balance requirement to open the account, though Chase does charge a monthly maintenance fee unless you meet certain conditions to waive it.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking charges a $12 monthly maintenance fee unless you maintain a $500 minimum daily balance or set up direct deposit.
  • You can waive the fee by having $500 in the account every day of the month, or by receiving at least one direct deposit per month.
  • The account includes a debit card, online banking, mobile check deposit, and access to over 4,700 Chase ATMs plus a network of partner ATMs.
  • Chase Total Checking does not pay interest on your balance, so money sitting in the account earns nothing.
  • Overdraft fees are $35 per transaction if you spend more than you have, though Chase offers overdraft protection options to link to another account.

Monthly Fees and How to Avoid Them

Chase Total Checking costs $12 per month to maintain. This fee appears on your statement every month unless you meet one of two conditions. The first is to keep a minimum daily balance of $500 — meaning your account balance must be at least $500 every single day of the month. If your balance dips below $500 on even one day, the fee applies that month.

The second way to waive the fee is to have at least one direct deposit per month. Direct deposit means money from your employer, government benefit, or other source is deposited electronically into your account. A single direct deposit of any amount counts — it does not have to be your full paycheck. If you receive Social Security, unemployment benefits, or a pension, those count as direct deposits.

If you do not meet either condition, the $12 fee hits your account on the last day of the month. Over a year, that is $144 in fees alone.

What You Can Do With the Account

Chase Total Checking comes with a Visa debit card that you can use to buy things in stores, online, or over the phone. You can withdraw cash at any of Chase's 4,700+ branches and ATMs across the United States. You also get access to MoneyPass and Allpoint, networks of partner ATMs where you can withdraw cash without paying an out-of-network fee — though the exact number of partner ATMs varies by location.

You can deposit checks using the Chase mobile app by taking a photo of the front and back. Deposits typically post within one business day. You can also deposit checks and cash at any Chase branch or ATM. Online banking lets you pay bills, transfer money between your own accounts, and send money to other people through Chase QuickPay (formerly Popmoney).

The account includes overdraft protection, which means you can link it to another Chase account or credit card. If you overspend, Chase can transfer money from the linked account to cover the difference, though this usually costs $10 per transfer.

Overdraft Fees and Protection Options

If you spend more money than you have in your Chase Total Checking account, Chase charges an overdraft fee of $35 per transaction. This fee applies each time a transaction pushes your balance negative. If you overdraft three times in one day, you pay $35 three times — $105 total.

Chase offers overdraft protection to prevent this. You can link your checking account to another Chase checking or savings account, or to a Chase credit card. If a transaction would overdraft your account, Chase automatically transfers money from the linked account to cover it. Transfers from another Chase account cost $10 each. Transfers from a credit card may have different terms.

You can also opt out of overdraft protection entirely. If you do, transactions that would overdraft your account will simply be declined — you will not be charged a fee, but the purchase will not go through. This is called debit card decline.

Interest and Savings Features

Chase Total Checking does not pay interest on your balance. Money sitting in the account earns zero percent, no matter how much you have or how long it sits there. If you want to earn interest on your money, you would need to open a separate Chase savings account or money market account.

Chase does offer a linked savings account option, where you can open a savings account tied to your checking account. The savings account has its own interest rate (which changes based on market conditions) and its own monthly fee structure. Transfers between your checking and savings accounts are free and instant online.

Who Should Consider This Account

Chase Total Checking works well if you receive direct deposit from an employer or benefit program, because the $12 monthly fee disappears. It is also a good fit if you keep at least $500 in the account at all times and do not mind paying the fee otherwise. The account is useful if you live near Chase branches or ATMs and want easy access to cash and in-person banking.

The account is less suitable if you cannot maintain a $500 balance and do not receive direct deposit, because the $12 monthly fee will cost you $144 per year. It is also not the right choice if you want to earn interest on your checking balance — you would need a different type of account for that. If you rarely use branches and want to avoid monthly fees entirely, Chase offers other checking accounts with no monthly maintenance fee.

How to Open Chase Total Checking

You can open a Chase Total Checking account online, on the Chase mobile app, or in person at any Chase branch. Online and mobile applications usually take 5 to 10 minutes. You will need a valid government ID, your Social Security number, and an initial deposit (which can be as small as $25 in many cases).

Chase will run a background check through ChexSystems, a banking history database. If you have had problems with a bank account in the past — such as unpaid overdrafts or fraud — Chase may deny your application. You can request your ChexSystems report to see what information is on file.

Once approved, your debit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your account online and through the mobile app immediately, even before the physical card arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I avoid the $12 monthly fee without direct deposit?

Yes, if you keep a minimum daily balance of $500 in the account every day of the month. The balance must never drop below $500, even for one day. If it does, the $12 fee applies that month. Direct deposit is the easier route for most people because it requires no minimum balance.

What happens if I overdraft my account?

Chase charges $35 per transaction that overdrafts your account. You can prevent this by setting up overdraft protection, which links your checking account to another account and automatically transfers money to cover overdrafts (usually for a $10 fee per transfer). You can also opt out of overdraft protection, which means transactions will simply be declined instead.

Does Chase Total Checking earn interest?

No. Chase Total Checking pays zero percent interest on your balance. If you want to earn interest, you need to open a separate savings account or money market account. Chase offers linked savings accounts that you can transfer money to instantly.

How long does it take to open an account?

Online and mobile applications take 5 to 10 minutes, and you can start using the account immediately through online banking and the app. Your physical debit card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. In-person applications at a Chase branch are also quick, usually 15 to 20 minutes.

What if Chase denies my application?

Chase uses ChexSystems, a banking history database, to screen applicants. If you have unpaid overdrafts, fraud, or other banking problems on record, your application may be denied. You can request your ChexSystems report to see what information is on file and dispute any errors. Some people denied at Chase are able to open accounts at banks with less strict screening.