Chase checking accounts have no monthly fee if you meet one simple requirement

Most Chase checking accounts cost nothing to open or maintain. The Chase Total Checking account, which is their standard option, has no monthly service fee as long as you keep a minimum balance of $500 or set up direct deposit. If you fall below $500 and have no direct deposit, Chase charges $12 per month. The Chase Premier Plus Checking account, aimed at higher-balance customers, costs $25 per month unless you maintain $15,000 in combined balances across Chase accounts or set up a may have access to direct deposit.

Beyond the monthly fee, you need to know what else costs money. Overdraft fees run $35 per transaction if you spend more than your balance. ATM fees are free at Chase machines nationwide, but using another bank's ATM costs $3. Wire transfers cost $15 for outgoing domestic wires and $20 for international ones. Cashier's checks are $10 each. Stopping payment on a check costs $30.

The easiest way to avoid all monthly fees is to set up direct deposit of your paycheck or other regular income. Chase does not specify a minimum deposit amount—even small direct deposits count. If direct deposit is not possible, keeping $500 in the account at all times works just as well.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or receive direct deposit.
  • If your balance drops below $500 and you have no direct deposit, Chase charges $12 per month.
  • Overdraft fees are $35 per transaction, and using non-Chase ATMs costs $3 each.
  • Wire transfers, cashier's checks, and stop-payment requests each carry separate fees ranging from $10 to $30.
  • Direct deposit of any amount—even a small regular transfer—waives the monthly fee entirely.

How the $500 minimum balance works

The $500 minimum is a daily balance requirement, not an average. If your balance dips to $499 on any single day of the month, Chase charges the $12 fee for that month. The balance includes money in your checking account only—savings accounts, money market accounts, and investment accounts do not count toward this threshold.

Chase calculates your balance at the end of each business day. If you deposit a check on Friday that does not clear until Monday, your Friday balance does not include those funds. Pending transactions and holds can push you below $500 even if you think you have enough money. If you are close to the limit, check your available balance (not your current balance) in the Chase app or online to see what actually counts toward the minimum.

Overdraft fees and how to avoid them

Chase charges $35 each time you overdraft—meaning you spend money you do not have. A single transaction that puts you negative can trigger one fee. If you make three purchases while overdrawn, that is three separate $35 fees. Chase allows up to four overdraft fees per day, so the damage can add up quickly.

You can turn off overdraft protection entirely through your Chase account settings. If you do, transactions that would overdraft your account simply decline instead, and you pay nothing. This is the safest option if you want to avoid surprise fees. Alternatively, you can link a savings account to your checking account so that Chase automatically transfers money to cover overdrafts—though this only works if you have the funds available elsewhere.

Wire transfer and specialty transaction fees

Sending money outside the Chase network costs money. Domestic wire transfers (sending money to another U.S. bank account) cost $15. International wire transfers cost $20. These fees are charged whether the transfer goes through or fails, so confirm the recipient's account details before you initiate.

Cashier's checks, which some landlords or large sellers require, cost $10 each. Stop-payment requests (telling Chase to block a check you wrote) cost $30. Ordering checks through Chase costs money too, though the amount varies depending on how many you order and the style you choose. Most people order checks through third-party vendors like Deluxe or Costco, which are cheaper.

ATM fees and out-of-network costs

Chase has no ATM fees for withdrawals at any Chase machine. The Chase network includes over 16,000 ATMs nationwide, so finding a fee-free machine is usually easy. If you use an ATM owned by another bank, Chase charges you $3 per transaction. Some other banks charge their own fee on top of that, so a single withdrawal can cost $6 or more.

If you travel frequently or live far from Chase branches, the $3 fee adds up. Many online banks and credit unions offer fee-free ATM networks that are larger than Chase's, so compare before you open an account if ATM access matters to you.

Chase Premier Plus Checking for larger balances

If you keep a lot of money in the bank, Chase Premier Plus Checking may make sense. It costs $25 per month, but the fee is waived if you maintain $15,000 in combined balances across all your Chase accounts (checking, savings, money market, or investment accounts all count together) or if you set up direct deposit. This account includes some perks like higher interest rates on savings balances and priority customer service, though the interest rate is still very low compared to online banks.

Most people do not need Premier Plus unless they already have $15,000 or more sitting in Chase accounts. If you do, the $25 fee is easy to waive by keeping that balance. If you do not, Total Checking with the $500 minimum is the better choice.

Comparing Chase to other banks

Chase's $12 monthly fee (if you fall below $500 with no direct deposit) is higher than many online banks, which often have no monthly fees at all. Banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have checking accounts with zero monthly fees and no minimum balance. However, Chase has physical branches and ATMs in most U.S. cities, which matters if you need to deposit cash or speak to someone in person.

If you rarely use branches and want to avoid fees, an online bank is cheaper. If you value having a local Chase branch nearby, the $12 fee is the trade-off—or simply keep $500 in the account to avoid it entirely. The choice depends on how you actually use your checking account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as direct deposit for Chase?

Direct deposit means an employer, government agency, or other organization electronically transfers money into your account on a regular schedule. Paycheck deposits count. Social Security, disability payments, and tax refunds count. Transfers you make yourself from another account do not count as direct deposit.

Can I get the monthly fee refunded if I go below $500 for one day?

No. Chase charges the $12 fee automatically if your balance dips below $500 on any day of the month. You can call Chase to ask for a one-time courtesy reversal, but they are not required to grant it. If this happens regularly, keeping a higher balance or setting up direct deposit is more reliable than hoping for refunds.

Do I pay overdraft fees if I decline a transaction?

No. If you turn off overdraft protection, transactions that would overdraft simply decline and you pay nothing. You only pay the $35 fee if the transaction goes through while your account is negative. Declined transactions are free.

Is there a fee to close a Chase checking account?

No. Chase does not charge a fee to close a checking account. However, if you close the account while it is overdrawn, you still owe the negative balance plus any overdraft fees that were charged.

Do savings accounts at Chase have monthly fees too?

Chase savings accounts have no monthly maintenance fee. However, they pay very low interest rates compared to online banks. If you are saving money, you may earn more interest elsewhere, though you would lose access to local Chase branches.