Chase charges monthly maintenance fees on most checking accounts, but the fee is waived if you meet one simple requirement each month
Chase's most common checking account, the Chase Total Checking, has a $12 monthly service fee. However, you won't pay it if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $500 or set up direct deposit of at least $500 per month. The Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and requires either a $15,000 minimum balance or $5,000 in linked savings, or it waives the fee if you have a Chase mortgage or investment account. The Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement, but it's only available to people under 24.
Beyond the monthly maintenance fee, Chase charges for specific actions: overdrafts ($35 per transaction), returned deposits ($25), wire transfers ($15 domestic, $20 international), and stopping payment on a check ($30). Some of these fees can be waived if you call and ask, especially if you have a good account history and it's your first time incurring the charge. Fees are not automatic refunds—you have to request them.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking costs $12 monthly unless you keep $500 in the account or receive $500 in direct deposits each month.
- Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 monthly unless you maintain $15,000 in the account, have $5,000 in linked savings, or own a Chase mortgage or investment product.
- Overdraft fees are $35 per transaction, and returned deposit fees are $25—these are separate from monthly maintenance fees.
- Wire transfers, stop-payment requests, and other services carry their own fees ranging from $15 to $30.
- Some fees can be reversed if you call Chase and request a waiver, particularly if it's your first occurrence.
How to avoid the monthly maintenance fee on Total Checking
The easiest path is direct deposit. If your employer, government benefit, or pension deposits at least $500 into your Chase account in a calendar month, the $12 fee disappears that month. You don't have to keep the money in the account—it can leave the same day. Only the deposit itself matters.
If direct deposit isn't an option, maintain a minimum daily balance of $500. This means your account balance must hit $500 on at least one day during the month. The balance doesn't have to stay there; it just has to reach it once. If you dip below $500 on some days and above it on others, you're fine as long as you hit $500 at least once.
If neither option works for you, the $12 fee will post on the last business day of each month. You can call Chase at the number on the back of your card and ask for a waiver, but there's no may provide they'll grant it. First-time requests are more likely to succeed than repeated ones.
Overdraft fees and when they hit your account
Chase charges $35 for each transaction that overdrafts your account—meaning each transaction that would bring your balance below zero. If you make five purchases that overdraft, you pay $35 five times, for a total of $175. The fee posts within one to two business days of the overdraft transaction.
Chase offers Overdraft Protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or credit line. If a transaction would overdraft, Chase pulls money from the linked account instead, and you pay a transfer fee ($0 to $10, depending on the account type) rather than an overdraft fee. This is optional and must be turned on in your Chase app or by calling the bank.
You can also opt out of overdraft coverage entirely. If you do, transactions that would overdraft will simply be declined at the point of sale, and you won't pay a fee. This prevents surprise charges but can cause embarrassment or inconvenience at checkout. To change your overdraft settings, log into your Chase account online or call customer service.
Fees for deposits, transfers, and other services
Chase charges $25 if a check or electronic deposit is returned unpaid. This happens when a check bounces or an ACH transfer is reversed. The fee posts a few days after the return is processed.
Domestic wire transfers cost $15; international wire transfers cost $20. These fees are charged whether you're sending or receiving money, though some banks waive the receiving fee. Outgoing wires are charged immediately; incoming wire fees may be deducted from the amount received.
Stopping payment on a check costs $30 and must be requested before the check clears. If you ask to stop payment after the check has already been cashed, Chase cannot reverse it, and you'll still be charged the $30 fee for attempting the request. Stop-payment orders are valid for six months; after that, you must request a new one.
When Chase refunds or waives fees
Chase does not automatically refund fees, but they will sometimes waive them if you ask. The most common scenario is a first-time overdraft or returned deposit fee. Call the number on the back of your card, explain the situation, and ask for a one-time courtesy waiver. If you have a good account history and haven't requested waivers recently, your chances are better.
Monthly maintenance fees are harder to waive than transaction fees. If you miss the direct deposit or minimum balance requirement by a small amount, calling to explain may result in a waiver, but it's not may provide. Repeated requests for waivers will be denied.
If you believe a fee was charged in error—for example, you're certain you had $500 in the account but were still charged the maintenance fee—contact Chase immediately with documentation. Errors do happen, and Chase will correct them if you can show proof.
Comparing Chase checking accounts and their fee structures
| Account Type | Monthly Fee | Fee Waiver Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $12 | $500 minimum balance OR $500 direct deposit |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | $25 | $15,000 minimum balance OR $5,000 linked savings OR Chase mortgage/investment account |
| Chase Student Checking | $0 | None (age under 24) |
| Chase Secure Checking | $0 | None (designed for people rebuilding credit) |
Chase Secure Checking is designed for people with limited banking history or credit issues. It has no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no overdraft fees (overdrafts are simply declined). However, it comes with a $25 deposit requirement and limited check-writing privileges. It's a good option if you want to avoid fees entirely while building banking history.
If you're under 24, Chase Student Checking is the clear choice—no fees, no minimums, and it converts to Total Checking when you turn 24. If you're over 24 and want to avoid fees, Total Checking is the cheapest option as long as you can meet one of the two requirements.
What happens if you don't pay a fee or overdraft
If you don't have enough money in your account to cover a fee, Chase will charge it anyway, pushing your balance negative. This creates an overdraft, which triggers another $35 overdraft fee. You can end up with multiple overlapping fees in a single day if several transactions post while your account is negative.
Chase will not close your account for unpaid fees, but they will pursue collection if the negative balance persists for several months. They may freeze your account, report the debt to a collection agency, or pursue legal action. The best approach is to deposit money as soon as you realize you're in the negative and contact Chase to discuss a payment plan if necessary.
If you have a Chase credit card, the bank may also offset the negative balance by pulling money from your credit card account or other Chase accounts you own. This happens automatically and without advance notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the monthly fee refunded if I just opened the account?
Chase typically waives the first monthly fee for new accounts, but this is not may provide. Check your account statement or call to confirm. If you were charged and believe it should have been waived, call customer service and ask for a courtesy reversal.
Does direct deposit have to come from my employer?
No. Direct deposit can come from an employer, government benefit (Social Security, unemployment, tax refund), pension, or even another bank account you own. The requirement is that at least $500 be deposited electronically in a calendar month; the source doesn't matter.
What's the difference between an overdraft fee and a returned deposit fee?
An overdraft fee ($35) is charged when a transaction brings your balance below zero. A returned deposit fee ($25) is charged when a check or ACH transfer you deposited bounces or is reversed. Both are separate from the monthly maintenance fee.
Can I switch to a different Chase checking account to avoid fees?
Yes. If you're struggling to meet the requirements for Total Checking, Chase Secure Checking has no monthly fee and no minimum balance. If you're under 24, Chase Student Checking is also free. You can switch accounts online or by visiting a branch.
Will Chase charge me a fee to close my account?
No. Chase does not charge a fee to close a checking account. However, if your account has a negative balance when you close it, you must pay the negative amount before the account can be closed.