Chase charges fees on most checking accounts, but you can avoid them
Chase does charge monthly maintenance fees on most of its checking accounts, but the fee amount and how to waive it depend on which account you open. The most common Chase checking account, Chase Total Checking, costs $12 per month — but Chase waives that fee if you meet one of several conditions, such as keeping a minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or maintaining a linked savings account with a certain balance.
The key is understanding which account you have and what Chase requires to drop the fee to zero. Some accounts have no monthly fee at all. Others charge a fee unless you do something specific, like receive your paycheck through direct deposit or keep $500 in a linked savings account.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking charges $12 per month but waives the fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance in a linked savings account, set up direct deposit, or keep $1,500 in the checking account itself.
- Chase Student Checking has no monthly maintenance fee and is open to customers under 24 years old with a valid student ID.
- Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month and requires either a $15,000 minimum balance or $10,000 in a linked savings account to waive the fee.
- You can avoid all monthly fees by choosing Chase Student Checking or by meeting one of the waiver conditions on your current account.
- Overdraft fees, ATM fees at out-of-network machines, and wire transfer fees are separate from monthly maintenance fees and apply regardless of which account you hold.
The three main Chase checking accounts and their fees
Chase offers three primary checking accounts for personal customers, each with different fee structures. Chase Total Checking is the most popular and charges $12 per month unless you meet a waiver condition. Chase Student Checking has no monthly maintenance fee and is designed for customers under 24 with a valid student ID. Chase Premier Plus Checking is a premium account that charges $25 per month and requires higher minimum balances to waive the fee.
If you already have a Chase checking account, you can find which type you have by logging into your online account, calling Chase customer service at 1-800-935-9935, or visiting a Chase branch. Your account statement or the account summary page will show the account name and any monthly fees charged.
How to waive the $12 monthly fee on Chase Total Checking
Chase Total Checking waives its $12 monthly maintenance fee if you meet any one of these conditions: maintain an average daily balance of $1,500 or more in the checking account, set up a direct deposit of any amount, or maintain an average daily balance of $500 or more in a linked Chase savings account.
Direct deposit is the easiest route for most people. Once your employer or benefit provider (such as Social Security) deposits money directly into your Chase checking account, the fee disappears automatically. You do not need a large balance — even a single direct deposit counts. If you do not receive direct deposits, the $500 linked savings account option is often simpler than maintaining $1,500 in checking, since you can move money between accounts as needed.
Chase checks your account balance on the last day of each statement period. If you meet one of the waiver conditions on that day, you will not be charged the fee for that month. If you fall below the threshold, the $12 fee posts to your account in the following statement cycle.
Fees that apply to all Chase checking accounts
Monthly maintenance fees are only one type of charge. Chase also charges fees for overdrafts, out-of-network ATM withdrawals, wire transfers, and other transactions, and these fees apply regardless of which checking account you hold or whether you have waived the monthly fee.
An overdraft fee is $35 per transaction if you spend more than your available balance. Chase allows up to four overdraft fees per day. An out-of-network ATM fee is $3 per withdrawal when you use an ATM that is not part of the Chase network. Wire transfer fees vary: domestic outgoing wires cost $15, and incoming wires are free. A stop payment fee is $30 if you ask Chase to stop payment on a check you wrote.
These fees are separate from monthly maintenance fees and cannot be waived by meeting balance or direct deposit requirements. However, you can avoid most of them by using Chase ATMs, not overdrawing your account, and avoiding wire transfers when possible.
Chase Premier Plus Checking and its higher fees
Chase Premier Plus Checking is designed for customers who want premium features and are willing to pay for them. The account charges $25 per month, but Chase waives the fee if you maintain an average daily balance of $15,000 in the checking account or $10,000 in a linked savings account.
This account includes benefits such as higher interest rates on balances, priority customer service, and waived fees on certain services like wire transfers and cashier's checks. For most people, the $12 monthly fee on Chase Total Checking is sufficient, and the extra cost of Premier Plus does not justify the benefits unless you regularly maintain very large balances or use premium services frequently.
What happens if you cannot meet the waiver conditions
If you cannot maintain the required balance or set up direct deposit, you will pay the monthly fee. Some customers choose to accept the $12 monthly charge as the cost of having a checking account with Chase. Others switch to a different bank or credit union that offers no-fee checking accounts.
Before you close your account, contact Chase to confirm which waiver options are available on your specific account type. Rules can vary slightly by region, and Chase sometimes offers promotional waivers or alternative conditions. A Chase representative can also help you move to Chase Student Checking if you are under 24, which has no monthly fee at all.
How to set up direct deposit to waive your monthly fee
Setting up direct deposit is straightforward and takes about five minutes. You will need your Chase routing number (1110-0000 for most accounts) and your full account number, which you can find on a check or in your online account. Give this information to your employer's payroll department or to the organization that sends you benefits (such as Social Security or unemployment).
Once direct deposit is active, Chase will waive your monthly fee automatically. You do not need to call Chase or take any additional action. The fee waiver applies to the month in which the direct deposit posts, and continues as long as you receive at least one direct deposit per month. If you stop receiving direct deposits, the $12 fee will resume the following month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Chase Total Checking to Chase Student Checking if I am over 24?
No. Chase Student Checking requires you to be under 24 years old and have a valid student ID. Once you turn 24 or are no longer a student, you must switch to a different account type. Chase will typically move you to Chase Total Checking automatically, and the $12 monthly fee will apply unless you meet a waiver condition.
What if I have a Chase savings account but no linked checking account?
The $500 balance waiver for Chase Total Checking requires a linked savings account. You can link an existing Chase savings account to your checking account through your online account or by visiting a branch. Once linked, Chase will monitor the savings account balance for the waiver condition.
Does Chase charge fees for transfers between my own accounts?
No. Transfers between your own Chase checking and savings accounts are free and unlimited. You can move money as often as you need without triggering any fees.
If I close my Chase checking account, do I owe any fees?
Chase does not charge a fee to close a checking account. However, if your account has a negative balance when you close it, you will owe that amount. Make sure your account balance is zero or positive before you close it.
Does the direct deposit have to be from my employer, or can it be from anywhere?
Direct deposit can come from any source — your employer, Social Security, unemployment benefits, tax refunds, or other regular deposits. Chase counts any direct deposit toward the waiver condition, regardless of where it originates.