Chase charges monthly fees on most checking accounts, but you can waive them by meeting one simple requirement

Chase's most common checking account, the Chase Total Checking, has a $12 monthly service fee. However, you can eliminate this fee entirely by maintaining a minimum daily balance of $500 or setting up a direct deposit of at least $500 per month. If you do neither, the $12 charge appears on your statement each month.

Chase also offers Chase Premier Plus Checking, which costs $25 per month but waives the fee if you keep $25,000 in the account or have a Chase mortgage or investment account linked to it. This account is designed for customers with higher balances or multiple Chase products.

The Chase Student Checking account has no monthly fee for the first five years after opening, then converts to a regular checking account with standard fees. This is the only Chase checking account with no fee requirement during the promotional period.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking costs $12 per month unless you maintain $500 in daily balance or receive $500 in monthly direct deposits.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and requires either a $25,000 balance or a linked mortgage or investment account to waive the fee.
  • Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee for five years, then converts to a standard account with fees.
  • Direct deposit is the easiest way to waive fees on most Chase checking accounts, since it requires no minimum balance.

How the $500 direct deposit waiver works

If you have a paycheck, government benefit, or regular transfer set up as a direct deposit into your Chase checking account, the bank waives the $12 monthly fee on Total Checking. The deposit must be at least $500 per month, but it does not have to be a single deposit—multiple smaller deposits that total $500 count.

Direct deposit is processed through the ACH network and typically takes one to two business days to appear in your account. Once the deposit posts, Chase counts it toward your fee waiver for that month. If you stop receiving direct deposits, the fee returns the following month unless you meet the $500 balance requirement instead.

How the $500 minimum balance waiver works

Keeping $500 in your Chase checking account at all times also waives the $12 monthly fee. This is a daily balance requirement, meaning the account must never drop below $500 on any day of the month. If your balance dips to $499 even once, you do not may have access to for the waiver that month and the fee applies.

This option works best if you receive a paycheck or regular income that keeps your balance above $500 naturally. If your balance fluctuates, the direct deposit route is usually simpler because it does not require you to maintain a specific amount in the account.

Other Chase checking account fees you may encounter

Beyond the monthly service fee, Chase charges for specific actions or situations. An overdraft fee is $35 per transaction if you spend more than your available balance. Chase allows up to four overdraft fees per day, meaning you could be charged $140 in a single day if multiple transactions overdraw your account.

A non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee is also $35 and applies when a transaction is declined because you do not have enough money. This is different from an overdraft fee—the transaction simply does not go through, but you are still charged the fee.

ATM fees do not apply when you use Chase ATMs or ATMs in the MoneyPass network, which includes thousands of machines nationwide. Using an out-of-network ATM costs $3.50 per withdrawal.

Wire transfer fees vary: domestic outgoing wires cost $15, and incoming wires are free. International outgoing wires cost $45. Cashier's checks are $10 each.

How to check which fees apply to your specific account

Log into your Chase account online or through the mobile app and go to your account details or settings. The fee structure for your specific account type appears under "Account Information" or "Account Details." You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card to confirm which waiver you currently may have access to for.

Your monthly statement also shows any fees charged. If you see a $12 charge and you believe you met the direct deposit or balance requirement, contact Chase to dispute it. The bank sometimes applies fees incorrectly, and customer service can reverse a single month's charge if you can show proof of the deposit or balance.

Comparing Chase checking to other banks

Many online banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements. Banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have $0 monthly fees across all their checking products. Credit unions often waive fees for members who maintain even small balances or set up direct deposit.

Chase's advantage is its branch and ATM network—over 4,700 branches and access to the MoneyPass ATM network. If you value in-person banking and frequent ATM access, the $12 annual fee (if you may have access to for the waiver) may be worth it. If you primarily bank online and rarely visit a branch, a no-fee account elsewhere could save you money.

What happens if you do not meet the waiver requirements

If you do not maintain the $500 balance and do not receive $500 in direct deposits, the $12 monthly fee appears on your statement. This happens automatically—Chase does not ask permission or send a warning. The fee is deducted from your account balance on the same day each month.

If you are charged a fee you believe you should not have been, contact Chase within 30 days. The bank can review your account history and may reverse the charge if you can show you met the requirement. After 30 days, reversals become much harder to obtain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I avoid the Chase checking fee without direct deposit?

Yes, by keeping $500 in your account every single day of the month. However, this is harder to maintain than setting up direct deposit, since your balance must never drop below $500. If you have variable income or expenses, direct deposit is usually the easier path.

Does a transfer from another bank count as direct deposit?

No. Direct deposit must come from an employer, government agency, or other institution that sends money through the ACH network on a recurring basis. Transfers you initiate yourself from another account do not count toward the waiver.

What if I close my Chase checking account?

Chase does not charge a fee to close a checking account. However, if you have an outstanding balance or pending transactions, the bank may hold the account open until those clear. You can close the account online, through the app, or by visiting a branch.

Does Chase charge a fee to open a checking account?

No. Opening a Chase checking account is free. You only pay the monthly service fee if you do not meet one of the waiver requirements.

Can I have multiple Chase checking accounts to avoid fees?

Yes, you can open more than one Chase checking account. However, each account is subject to the same $12 monthly fee unless it meets the waiver requirements independently. Opening multiple accounts does not waive fees on any of them.