Chase checking accounts offer rewards through cash back and bonus categories, but only on specific accounts
Chase offers rewards on some checking accounts but not all. The main account with rewards is the Chase Total Checking, which earns cash back on debit card purchases when you use your Chase debit card at non-Chase ATMs (you get reimbursed for the ATM fee). The Chase Sapphire Checking also offers rewards through its linked credit card benefits, though the checking account itself does not earn cash back on purchases. Most other Chase checking accounts—including Chase Basic Checking and Chase Premier Checking—do not include cash back rewards on debit card spending.
The rewards structure varies by account type and what you do with your money. Some accounts reward you for maintaining a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit, while others focus on travel or dining benefits through a linked credit card. Understanding which account matches your spending habits matters because the "best" rewards account depends on whether you use your debit card frequently, travel often, or prefer to keep money in savings.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking reimburses ATM fees nationwide but does not earn cash back on everyday debit card purchases at stores or restaurants.
- Chase Sapphire Checking pairs with the Sapphire credit card to offer travel and dining rewards, though the checking account itself has no purchase rewards.
- Most Chase checking accounts offer no rewards at all; they focus on basic banking services and may charge monthly fees unless you meet balance or deposit requirements.
- Rewards on Chase checking accounts are typically smaller than rewards on Chase credit cards, so your debit card spending will earn less than credit card spending on the same purchase.
Chase Total Checking and ATM fee reimbursement
Chase Total Checking reimburses you for ATM fees charged by other banks when you use your Chase debit card at non-Chase ATMs. This is the closest thing to a "reward" on this account—you are not earning cash back, but you are getting money back that you would otherwise lose. The reimbursement covers fees charged by the other bank, not fees Chase charges you (Chase does not charge its own customers for ATM withdrawals at Chase machines).
To get the reimbursement, you use your Chase debit card at any ATM outside the Chase network, pay the fee, and Chase credits it back to your account within one to three business days. This works nationwide and internationally, so if you travel or live far from a Chase branch, the reimbursement can add up. However, this is a fee avoidance benefit, not a rewards program that pays you extra for spending.
Chase Sapphire Checking and credit card pairing
Chase Sapphire Checking does not earn rewards on debit card purchases. Instead, it is designed to work alongside the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards, which do offer significant rewards on travel and dining. The checking account itself provides no cash back, but it gives you a place to hold money and pay bills while you earn rewards on your credit card spending.
The real benefit is convenience: you can link your Sapphire credit card to your Sapphire Checking account and manage both from the same login. If you already have or plan to open a Sapphire credit card, the checking account can simplify your banking. But if you do not have the credit card, the checking account offers no rewards advantage over Chase Total Checking.
Other Chase checking accounts with no rewards
Chase Basic Checking, Chase Premier Checking, and Chase Student Checking do not offer any cash back or rewards on debit card purchases. These accounts focus on basic services: bill pay, mobile banking, and access to Chase's branch and ATM network. Some may waive monthly fees if you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit, but that is a fee waiver, not a reward.
Chase Premier Checking does offer higher interest rates on savings balances compared to other Chase accounts, but this is interest paid on money you keep in the account, not a reward for spending. The rate varies and is typically very low—often less than 0.01% annually—so it is not a meaningful source of earnings.
How Chase checking rewards compare to credit card rewards
Chase checking account rewards are much smaller than Chase credit card rewards. Chase credit cards in the Sapphire line earn 2 to 3 points per dollar on travel and dining, which can be worth 2 to 3 cents per dollar when redeemed. Chase checking accounts earn no cash back on purchases at all, except for ATM fee reimbursement on Total Checking.
This matters because if you are choosing between using your debit card and a credit card for the same purchase, the credit card will earn you rewards and the debit card will not. Chase designs its checking accounts for basic banking, not for earning rewards on everyday spending. If rewards are your priority, you should focus on which credit card you use, not which checking account you open.
Fees and minimum balance requirements on rewards accounts
Chase Total Checking charges a $12 monthly service fee, but it is waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $500, set up direct deposit, or maintain a linked savings account with a $500 minimum balance. Chase Sapphire Checking also charges a $12 monthly fee with the same waiver options. If you meet any one of these requirements, the account is free.
The ATM fee reimbursement on Total Checking only makes sense if you actually use non-Chase ATMs regularly. If you live near Chase branches or use the ATM network, you may never see a benefit. Calculate whether the fee waiver alone justifies opening the account, or whether you would use the ATM reimbursement enough to make it worthwhile.
When to open a Chase checking account for rewards
Open Chase Total Checking if you frequently use ATMs outside the Chase network and want those fees reimbursed. This is the only Chase checking account where the "reward" (fee reimbursement) is meaningful for most people. If you use Chase ATMs or rarely withdraw cash, the account offers no advantage over a basic checking account elsewhere.
Open Chase Sapphire Checking only if you already have or plan to open a Sapphire credit card and want to manage both accounts together. The checking account itself adds no rewards value. If you are looking for a checking account that earns cash back on everyday purchases, Chase does not offer one—you would need to use a credit card instead and pay it off monthly to avoid interest charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chase checking earn cash back on debit card purchases?
No. Chase checking accounts do not earn cash back when you use your debit card to buy things at stores or restaurants. Chase Total Checking only reimburses ATM fees, which is different from earning rewards on purchases.
Which Chase checking account has the best rewards?
Chase Total Checking is the only one with any reward feature—ATM fee reimbursement. Chase Sapphire Checking has no rewards on the checking account itself, though it pairs with a rewards credit card. Other Chase checking accounts offer no rewards at all.
Can I earn points on my Chase checking account?
No. Chase checking accounts do not earn points or cash back. Points are earned through Chase credit cards, not checking accounts. If you want to earn rewards on your spending, you need to use a credit card and pay the balance in full to avoid interest.
Is the ATM fee reimbursement on Chase Total Checking worth it?
It depends on how often you use non-Chase ATMs. If you withdraw cash several times a month from other banks' ATMs, the reimbursement can save you $20 to $40 per year. If you rarely use ATMs or live near Chase branches, the benefit is minimal.
What if I want rewards on my checking account?
Most banks, including Chase, do not offer cash back rewards on checking accounts. Your best option is to use a rewards credit card for purchases and pay the balance monthly. Some online banks offer higher interest rates on checking balances, but these are not rewards—they are interest payments on your deposits.