Most Chase checking accounts charge a monthly fee, but you can waive it

Chase charges a monthly maintenance fee on most of its checking accounts, ranging from $12 to $15 depending on the account type. You can eliminate the fee by meeting one of several conditions: keeping a minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, maintaining a linked savings account, or using a Chase debit card a certain number of times per month. The exact requirement depends on which Chase checking account you hold.

The most common Chase checking account is the Chase Total Checking, which charges $12 per month. This fee disappears if you do any one of the following: maintain a $500 minimum daily balance, set up at least one direct deposit per month, link an active Chase savings account, or use your Chase debit card at least 10 times per month for purchases (not ATM withdrawals).

Chase also offers Chase Premier Plus Checking, aimed at customers with higher balances. This account charges $25 per month but waives the fee if you maintain a $25,000 minimum daily balance or have a linked Chase Premier Savings account with a $25,000 balance.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking costs $12 monthly unless you meet one waiver condition, such as direct deposit or 10 debit card purchases per month.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 monthly and requires either a $25,000 balance or a linked Premier Savings account to waive the fee.
  • Direct deposit counts toward fee waivers on most Chase checking accounts, even if it is a small amount.
  • Using your debit card for purchases (not ATM withdrawals) counts toward the transaction requirement on Total Checking.
  • If you do not meet any waiver condition, the fee posts to your account every month on the same date.

How to check which account you have and what your fee requirement is

Log into your Chase online account or mobile app and look at your account name on the main dashboard. It will say "Chase Total Checking," "Chase Premier Plus Checking," or another specific product name. If you are unsure, call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card—they can tell you your account type and which waiver conditions apply to you in seconds.

Once you know your account type, you can see your current fee status in the account details section. Chase shows whether you have met the waiver conditions for the current month and whether a fee will post. If a fee is about to post and you have not yet met a waiver condition, you still have time to act—direct deposits and debit card transactions count toward the current month until the fee posts.

The easiest ways to waive your monthly fee

Direct deposit is the simplest waiver for most people. Any recurring deposit from an employer, government benefit, or pension counts—even if it is $25 or less. If you receive Social Security, unemployment, or a pension, that counts. If your employer offers direct deposit, setting it up takes five minutes and waives the fee permanently each month.

Debit card purchases work if you do not have direct deposit. You need 10 transactions per month on Chase Total Checking. These must be purchases at stores or online, not ATM withdrawals or balance inquiries. If you buy coffee, gas, or groceries regularly, you will hit 10 transactions easily. Small purchases count—a $1 coffee counts the same as a $100 grocery trip.

A linked savings account waives the fee if you keep an active Chase savings account open at the same time. You do not need a minimum balance in the savings account; it just needs to exist and be linked to your checking account. This works well if you are already saving with Chase.

A minimum balance of $500 in your checking account waives the fee on Total Checking. The balance is measured daily, so you need to keep at least $500 in the account every single day of the month. If your balance drops below $500 on even one day, the fee will post.

What happens if you do not meet a waiver condition

If you do not meet any waiver condition by the end of the month, Chase posts the monthly fee directly to your account. On Chase Total Checking, $12 is deducted. On Premier Plus, $25 is deducted. The fee posts on the same date each month—usually the last business day or the first day of the following month, depending on your account opening date.

The fee comes out of your available balance, just like any other withdrawal. If your account balance is low, the fee can push you into overdraft. Chase does not waive the fee retroactively, so once it posts, you cannot get it back by meeting a waiver condition the next day. However, you can prevent future fees by meeting a condition before the next month ends.

Switching to a Chase account with no monthly fee

Chase offers Chase Secure Banking, a checking account with no monthly fee. This account is designed for people who want basic checking without the fee structure. However, it comes with limitations: you cannot overdraft, you have limited ATM access, and some features available on other Chase accounts are not included. It is a good option if you want to avoid fees entirely and do not need overdraft protection.

You can switch from Chase Total Checking to Secure Banking through your online account or by visiting a Chase branch. The switch takes a few minutes, and your account number and routing number change. If you have automatic payments or direct deposits set up, you will need to update those with your new account details.

Understanding the balance requirement

If you choose to waive your fee by maintaining a $500 minimum balance on Chase Total Checking, the balance is measured every single day. Chase looks at your balance at the end of each business day. If your balance is $499.99 on any day during the month, you do not meet the requirement for that month, and the fee will post.

This means you need to keep extra money in your checking account at all times, which reduces the money you could put toward savings or investments. For many people, this makes the balance waiver less practical than direct deposit or debit card transactions, which require no extra money in the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if Chase charged me a fee I did not know about?

Chase may refund one or two fees if you call and explain that you were unaware of the requirement. However, they are not required to refund fees, and refunds are not may provide. If you have been charged multiple times, ask to speak with a supervisor. Refunds are more likely if you are a long-time customer with a good account history.

Does the direct deposit have to come from my employer?

No. Any recurring direct deposit counts, including Social Security, pension payments, unemployment benefits, or transfers from another bank. Even a small amount—$25 or $50—waives the fee. The deposit just needs to post at least once per month.

Do ATM withdrawals count toward the 10 debit card transactions?

No. Only purchases at merchants count. ATM withdrawals, balance inquiries, and transfers do not count toward the transaction requirement. You need 10 actual purchases—at stores, restaurants, gas stations, or online retailers.

What if I close my linked savings account?

If you close your linked Chase savings account, the fee waiver disappears. Your checking account will be charged the monthly fee starting the next month unless you meet a different waiver condition, such as direct deposit or debit card transactions.

Can I have multiple Chase checking accounts?

Yes, but each account is charged separately. If you have two Chase Total Checking accounts, you will be charged $12 per month for each one unless each account meets its own waiver condition. You cannot combine transactions or balances across accounts to waive fees.