Chase has four main checking accounts, and the right one depends on how often you use your debit card and whether you want to avoid monthly fees
Chase offers Chase Total Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, and Chase Secure Checking. Each one has different monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, and rewards. The account that costs you nothing and gives you the most value depends on your actual banking behavior—how many debit card transactions you make each month, whether you can keep a minimum balance, and whether you want cash back rewards.
The most common choice is Chase Total Checking, which has no monthly fee if you either receive direct deposit or make 10 or more debit card transactions per month. If you do neither, the fee is $12 per month. Chase Sapphire Checking costs $25 per month but comes with cash back on debit card purchases and higher interest on your savings. Chase Premier Plus Checking is designed for customers with higher balances and offers premium benefits. Chase Secure Checking is for people building or rebuilding credit and has no monthly fee.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee if you get direct deposit or make 10 debit card transactions monthly, making it free for most working people.
- Chase Sapphire Checking costs $25 per month but pays cash back on debit purchases and higher savings interest, so it pays for itself if you spend enough.
- Chase Premier Plus Checking requires a higher minimum balance but offers premium perks like higher interest rates and fee waivers.
- Chase Secure Checking has no monthly fee and is designed for people with limited or poor credit history who want to build a banking relationship with Chase.
- You can open any of these accounts online, by phone, or in a Chase branch, and you can switch between them later without closing your account.
Chase Total Checking: the no-fee option for most people
Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee, but you avoid it if you meet one of two conditions: receive direct deposit, or make 10 or more debit card transactions in a calendar month. Direct deposit is the easiest path—if your employer or a government program deposits your paycheck or benefits directly into the account, the fee disappears. If you do not have direct deposit, you need 10 debit card transactions per month, which means swiping your Chase debit card at stores, restaurants, or ATMs at least 10 times.
This account comes with a debit card, online and mobile banking, and access to Chase's ATM network. You do not earn cash back on purchases, and the savings account attached to it earns minimal interest. There is no minimum balance requirement to open the account or keep it open, though you do need to maintain $0.01 to avoid closure.
Chase Total Checking is the right choice if you get direct deposit, make frequent debit card purchases, or both. It is also the account to choose if you want no monthly fee and do not care about earning rewards on your spending.
Chase Sapphire Checking: cash back and higher interest for active spenders
Chase Sapphire Checking costs $25 per month but pays 1.25% cash back on all debit card purchases and 4.35% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances up to $250,000. The cash back is automatic—you do not have to enroll or track categories. The savings rate is much higher than Chase Total Checking, which earns close to 0% on savings.
To avoid the $25 monthly fee, you need to either maintain a $20,000 minimum daily balance or have a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. If you carry the credit card, the checking account fee is waived. The minimum balance is calculated daily, so you need to keep $20,000 in the account every single day of the month—not just an average.
This account makes sense if you spend $2,000 or more per month on your debit card, because the 1.25% cash back ($25 on $2,000 in purchases) covers the monthly fee. It also makes sense if you have $20,000 or more sitting in savings and want to earn 4.35% instead of nearly nothing. If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, the fee waiver makes it worth considering even at lower spending levels.
Chase Premier Plus Checking: for customers with larger balances
Chase Premier Plus Checking is designed for customers who maintain higher account balances and want premium banking features. The monthly fee is $25, but it is waived if you maintain a $75,000 minimum daily balance across your Chase deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market). You can also waive the fee by having a Chase Private Client relationship or certain investment accounts with Chase.
This account includes higher interest rates on linked savings accounts, fee waivers on certain services, and priority customer service. You get a debit card, online and mobile banking, and access to Chase's ATM network. The specific perks—like interest rates and fee waivers—vary based on your total relationship with Chase.
This account is only worth considering if you already have $75,000 or more in Chase accounts or if you are building toward that balance and want to lock in the benefits now. For most people, Chase Total Checking or Chase Sapphire Checking is the better choice.
Chase Secure Checking: for people with limited credit history
Chase Secure Checking has no monthly fee and is designed for people who are building credit or have had banking problems in the past. It reports to the three major credit bureaus, so using it responsibly can help build your credit score. There is no minimum balance requirement, and you get a debit card and online banking access.
The trade-off is that this account does not earn interest on savings, and you do not get cash back rewards. It also does not come with overdraft protection, meaning if you spend more than you have, the transaction will be declined rather than covered by a linked savings account. You can still overdraft if you have opted into overdraft coverage, but Chase will charge an overdraft fee.
Chase Secure Checking is the right choice if you have been denied for other checking accounts, have a history of overdrafts or bounced checks, or are new to banking and want to establish a relationship with a major bank. Once your credit improves or your banking history is solid, you can move to Chase Total Checking or another account without closing this one.
How to compare these accounts side by side
| Account | Monthly Fee | Fee Waiver | Cash Back | Savings Interest | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $12 | Direct deposit or 10 debit transactions/month | None | ~0% | People with direct deposit or frequent debit card use |
| Chase Sapphire Checking | $25 | $20,000 minimum balance or Sapphire Preferred credit card | 1.25% on all debit purchases | 4.35% APY | High spenders or people with $20,000+ in savings |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | $25 | $75,000 minimum balance or Private Client relationship | Varies | Higher rates | Customers with $75,000+ in Chase accounts |
| Chase Secure Checking | None | N/A | None | ~0% | People building credit or new to banking |
Interest rates and rewards change over time, so check Chase's website or speak with a banker before opening an account to confirm current rates and terms.
How to open a Chase checking account
You can open any Chase checking account online through Chase.com, by phone at 1-800-935-9935, or in person at a Chase branch. Online is the fastest—you can usually complete the application in 10 minutes and start using the account the same day or within one business day.
You will need a government-issued ID, your Social Security number, and an initial deposit. The minimum opening deposit varies by account but is often $0 to $25. You will also need to provide your address and phone number. If you are opening the account online, you may need to verify your identity by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions.
Once your account is open, you can order a debit card (which usually arrives in 7 to 10 business days), set up direct deposit, and link external bank accounts for transfers. You can also switch to a different Chase checking account later without closing this one—just contact Chase and they can convert your account or open a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from one Chase checking account to another without closing my account?
Yes. You can call Chase or visit a branch and ask them to convert your account to a different type, or they can open a new account for you while keeping the old one open. Your account number and routing number may change if you convert, so update any automatic payments or direct deposits after the switch.
What happens if I do not meet the fee waiver requirement for Chase Total Checking?
Chase will charge you $12 per month. You can avoid this by setting up direct deposit, making 10 debit card transactions per month, or switching to Chase Secure Checking (which has no fee). If you are charged a fee by mistake, you can call Chase and ask them to reverse it once.
Does Chase Sapphire Checking cash back count toward credit card rewards?
No. The 1.25% cash back on debit card purchases is separate from any rewards you earn on a Chase credit card. They are two different programs and do not combine or transfer between accounts.
What is the difference between Chase Sapphire Checking and Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card?
They are different products. Chase Sapphire Preferred is a credit card that earns points on purchases. Chase Sapphire Checking is a checking account that earns cash back on debit card purchases. If you have the credit card, it waives the checking account fee, but you do not earn credit card points on debit card purchases.
Can I open Chase Secure Checking if I have good credit?
Yes, but it is not designed for you. Chase Secure Checking is meant for people building or rebuilding credit. If you have good credit, Chase Total Checking or Chase Sapphire Checking will give you better features and rewards for the same or lower cost.