Chase checking accounts have fees, but you can avoid most of them
Chase charges a monthly maintenance fee on most checking accounts—typically $12 per month—but waives it if you meet one of several conditions. The most common way to avoid the fee is to keep a minimum balance (usually $500 to $1,500 depending on the account type) or set up direct deposit. Chase also charges fees for specific actions: overdrafts, wire transfers, stop payments, and returned checks. Some of these fees run $30 to $35 each. The account type you choose and how you use it determine whether you pay anything at all.
Not every Chase checking account carries a monthly fee. Chase Secure Banking and Chase Student Checking are both free, though they come with restrictions—no debit card for Secure Banking, and Student Checking converts to a paid account once you turn 24. For most people, the easiest path to zero fees is direct deposit, which works on any standard account regardless of balance.
Key Takeaways
- Chase's standard checking accounts charge $12 per month unless you maintain a minimum balance of $500, receive direct deposits, or link a savings account with $300.
- Overdraft fees cost $35 per transaction, and Chase can charge multiple fees in a single day if you overdraw your account repeatedly.
- Wire transfers, stop payments, and returned-check fees each run $15 to $45, depending on the specific service.
- Chase offers a no-fee checking option (Chase Secure Banking) if you cannot meet minimum balance requirements, though it has limited features and no debit card.
- Linking your checking account to a Chase savings account prevents overdraft fees by automatically transferring money when your balance drops below zero.
Monthly maintenance fees and how to waive them
Chase's main checking accounts—Chase Total Checking and Chase Premier Plus Checking—carry a $12 monthly maintenance fee. You can eliminate this fee by meeting any one of these conditions: maintaining an average daily balance of $500 (or $1,500 for Premier Plus), setting up direct deposit of any amount, or maintaining a linked Chase savings account with a $300 minimum balance.
If you receive a paycheck via direct deposit, the fee disappears automatically—the amount does not matter, and the deposit can be from any employer. Many people never see this fee because their employer already sends paychecks electronically. If you do not have direct deposit and cannot keep the minimum balance, Chase Secure Banking is a no-fee alternative, though it offers fewer features and no debit card. You can also waive the fee by keeping $300 in a linked savings account, which gives you the flexibility to let your checking balance drop without triggering the monthly charge.
Overdraft and insufficient-funds fees
An overdraft fee costs $35 each time your account balance goes negative and Chase covers the transaction. This happens when you spend more than you have and a debit card purchase, check, or ACH transfer goes through anyway. Chase can charge multiple overdraft fees in a single day—one for each transaction that overdraws your account—so a series of small purchases could result in $70, $105, or more in fees within hours.
You can prevent overdraft fees by linking your checking account to a Chase savings account or credit line. If your checking balance drops below zero, Chase automatically transfers money from the linked account to cover the shortfall. This service is free and stops the overdraft fee from occurring. Without this protection, you are responsible for the full $35 charge per overdraft event. Chase also allows you to opt out of overdraft coverage entirely, which means transactions will be declined if you do not have funds—no fee, but also no purchase.
Wire transfer, stop payment, and check-related fees
Chase charges $15 for an outgoing domestic wire transfer and $45 for an international wire. A stop payment—an order to prevent a check you wrote from clearing—costs $30. If a check you deposit bounces (returned check), Chase charges $15 to your account.
These fees apply once per transaction or request. If you frequently send wire transfers or stop payments, the costs add up quickly. Many people avoid these fees by using free alternatives: ACH transfers instead of wires (slower but free), or simply not writing checks in the first place. If you must stop a check, do it as soon as you realize the mistake, because the fee applies whether the check has cleared or not. Chase's bill pay feature, accessible through your online account, lets you send payments to almost anyone for free and takes one to three business days.
Account types and their fee structures
| Account Type | Monthly Fee | Minimum Balance to Waive | Direct Deposit Waives Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $12 | $500 | Yes |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | $12 | $1,500 | Yes |
| Chase Secure Banking | $0 | None | No |
| Chase Student Checking | $0 | None | No |
Chase Student Checking is free for customers under 24 and converts to a standard account once you age out. Chase Secure Banking is designed for people who cannot maintain a minimum balance and do not receive direct deposits. It has no monthly fee but does not include a debit card or check-writing privileges—you can only withdraw cash at a Chase branch or ATM.
Premier Plus Checking is Chase's premium option, aimed at customers who want higher balance thresholds and additional perks. It carries the same $12 monthly fee as Total Checking but requires a $1,500 minimum balance to waive it. The higher balance requirement makes it less practical for most people unless you naturally keep that much in your account anyway.
How to avoid Chase checking fees in practice
The simplest way to pay zero fees is to have your paycheck deposited directly into your Chase checking account. This waives the monthly maintenance fee on any standard account, regardless of your balance. If you do not have direct deposit, keep at least $500 in your account at all times to avoid the monthly fee. If $500 feels like too much to tie up, link a Chase savings account with just $300 and the monthly fee disappears.
To prevent overdraft fees, link your checking account to a Chase savings account with $300 in it. This costs nothing and protects you from overdraft charges. Avoid wire transfers when possible—use ACH transfers instead, which are free and take one to three business days. Do not write checks unless necessary; use bill pay through your Chase online account instead, which is free. Review your account statements monthly to catch any fees you did not expect.
If you see a fee you believe was charged in error, contact Chase customer service and ask for a reversal. Chase sometimes waives one or two fees per year if you have a good account history and ask politely. Keeping your account in good standing—no overdrafts, no returned checks—makes it more likely that Chase will reverse a fee if you request it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the monthly fee waived if I have a very small balance?
Yes, if you set up direct deposit of any amount from your employer. If you do not have direct deposit, switch to Chase Secure Banking, which has no monthly fee. Secure Banking does not include a debit card, so you would need to visit a branch or ATM to withdraw cash.
What happens if I overdraft my account multiple times in one day?
Chase can charge one $35 overdraft fee per transaction that overdraws your account. If you make five purchases that overdraw your account, you could face $175 in fees. Linking a savings account prevents all of these fees by automatically covering the shortfall.
Does Chase charge a fee to close my account?
No, closing a Chase checking account is free. However, if you close the account within 90 days of opening it, Chase may report it to ChexSystems, which can affect your ability to open accounts at other banks.
Are there fees for using an out-of-network ATM?
Chase does not charge a fee for using its own ATMs. Out-of-network ATMs may charge you a fee (set by that ATM's operator), but Chase does not add an additional surcharge on top of it.
What if I cannot afford the minimum balance right now?
Switch to Chase Secure Banking, which has no monthly fee and no minimum balance. You lose the debit card and check-writing, but you can still deposit checks at a branch and withdraw cash at Chase locations.