Chase checking accounts are not one-size-fits-all, and the best one depends on how you bank
Chase offers four main checking accounts: Chase Total Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, and Chase First Banking. The differences matter because they affect monthly fees, minimum balances, interest rates, and what perks you get. If you carry a low balance and rarely use branches, Total Checking is usually cheapest. If you have money to keep in the account or want rewards on debit card spending, Premier Plus or Sapphire might save you more than they cost. First Banking is designed for people under 18 or students.
The account that costs you the least is the one that matches how you actually bank. Most people can avoid fees entirely on any of these accounts by meeting one simple requirement—usually a direct deposit, a minimum balance, or a combination of both. The trap is picking an account that sounds good but then paying $12 a month because you did not meet the condition that waives the fee.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking has no minimum balance requirement and waives its $12 monthly fee with a direct deposit of any amount or by keeping $500 in the account.
- Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month but waives the fee if you maintain $15,000 in combined Chase accounts or set up a direct deposit.
- Chase Sapphire Checking charges $25 per month, waives the fee with a $75,000 combined balance or direct deposit, and earns 0.01% APY on balances under $250,000.
- Chase First Banking is free for people under 18 and charges $15 per month for adults, with no minimum balance or direct deposit required to waive the fee.
- All Chase checking accounts include access to over 4,700 branches and 16,000 ATMs nationwide, plus mobile check deposit and online bill pay at no extra cost.
Chase Total Checking: the lowest-barrier option
Chase Total Checking is the account most people open first because it has no minimum balance and the easiest fee waiver. The monthly maintenance fee is $12, but Chase waives it if you receive a direct deposit of any amount, or if you keep $500 in the account. A direct deposit can be a paycheck, a government benefit, or a transfer from another bank—it does not have to be employment income.
This account makes sense if you have a direct deposit coming in, even if it is small. If you do not have a direct deposit and cannot keep $500 on hand, you will pay $12 a month, which adds up to $144 a year. Total Checking earns no interest on your balance, so money just sits there. You get unlimited debit card transactions, online bill pay, and access to all Chase branches and ATMs.
Chase Premier Plus Checking: for people with steady balances
Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month, but the fee disappears if you meet one of two conditions: keep $15,000 in combined Chase accounts (checking, savings, money market, or CDs), or set up a direct deposit. The combined balance rule is important—you do not need $15,000 in the checking account itself, just $15,000 across all your Chase accounts added together.
This account is worth considering if you already have a Chase savings account or CD with money in it. If you have $10,000 in savings and $5,000 in checking, you hit the $15,000 threshold and the fee waives. Premier Plus earns no interest on the checking balance itself, but you get the same branch and ATM access as Total Checking, plus a few extras like a higher daily ATM withdrawal limit and priority customer service.
Chase Sapphire Checking: for people who want interest and rewards
Chase Sapphire Checking charges $25 per month and waives the fee if you maintain a $75,000 combined balance across Chase accounts or set up a direct deposit. The key difference from Premier Plus is that Sapphire earns interest: 0.01% APY on balances under $250,000. That rate is low compared to online savings accounts, but it is better than zero.
Sapphire also comes with a rewards feature: you earn 1% cash back on debit card purchases up to $3,000 per month (then 0.1% after that). If you spend $3,000 a month on your debit card, that is $30 in cash back per month, or $360 a year. That alone can cover the $25 monthly fee and then some. However, most people should use a credit card for everyday purchases to earn better rewards and get fraud protection. Debit card rewards are a secondary benefit, not a reason to shift your spending.
Sapphire makes sense if you have $75,000 or more to keep in Chase accounts and want to consolidate your banking there. If you do not have that much, the $25 monthly fee is hard to justify unless you are spending heavily on debit and hitting that 1% cash back cap regularly.
Chase First Banking: for minors and students
Chase First Banking is free for anyone under 18 and costs $15 per month for adults. There is no minimum balance and no direct deposit requirement to waive the fee. This account is designed for young people learning to bank, and it comes with parental controls—a parent or guardian can set spending limits and monitor transactions through the Chase app.
If you are an adult and do not have a direct deposit, First Banking is cheaper than Total Checking ($15 versus $12 per month), so it only makes sense if you value the parental controls feature or if you are under 18. For most adults, Total Checking is the better choice.
How to decide: a simple comparison
| Account | Monthly Fee | Fee Waiver Option 1 | Fee Waiver Option 2 | Interest Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Checking | $12 | Direct deposit (any amount) | $500 minimum balance | None | People with direct deposit or $500 to spare |
| Premier Plus | $25 | Direct deposit | $15,000 combined balance | None | People with other Chase accounts totaling $15,000+ |
| Sapphire | $25 | Direct deposit | $75,000 combined balance | 0.01% APY | People with $75,000+ in Chase accounts who want rewards |
| First Banking | $15 (free under 18) | None required | None required | None | Minors or students; adults without direct deposit |
What all Chase checking accounts include
Regardless of which account you open, you get the same core features: access to over 4,700 Chase branches and 16,000 ATMs nationwide, mobile check deposit, online bill pay, overdraft protection (if you link a savings account), and fraud protection on debit card transactions. You also get Chase's mobile app, which lets you check your balance, transfer money, and lock or unlock your debit card instantly.
All accounts come with a debit card at no extra cost. Chase does not charge for incoming wire transfers, ACH transfers, or outgoing domestic wire transfers. You can set up automatic bill payments to any company, and Chase will not charge you to send the payment. The differences between accounts are really just about fees, interest, and rewards—not about the basic banking tools you get.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Chase checking account online, or do I have to go to a branch?
You can open most Chase checking accounts online through the Chase website or app. You will need a valid ID, Social Security number, and an initial deposit (usually $25 or more). Some accounts may require a branch visit depending on your state and situation, but online opening is available in most cases.
What happens if I do not meet the fee waiver requirement?
You will be charged the monthly maintenance fee. For Total Checking, that is $12 per month. For Premier Plus and Sapphire, it is $25 per month. The fee comes out of your account automatically. If you realize you cannot meet the requirement, you can switch to a different Chase account or close the account without penalty.
Do I need a minimum opening deposit to start a Chase checking account?
Chase typically requires a minimum opening deposit of $25 to $100, depending on the account and how you open it. This is not a minimum balance you have to maintain—it is just the initial deposit to fund the account. Once the account is open, you can let the balance drop below that amount without penalty.
Can I have more than one Chase checking account?
Yes, you can open multiple Chase checking accounts. Some people open one for bills and another for savings or spending. However, direct deposits and transfers between your own accounts count toward fee waivers separately, so having multiple accounts does not automatically waive fees on all of them.
Is the interest rate on Sapphire Checking competitive?
No. The 0.01% APY on Sapphire Checking is much lower than online savings accounts, which often pay 4% to 5% APY. If your main goal is earning interest, keep your savings in a high-yield savings account and use Sapphire only for checking. The real value of Sapphire is the cash back on debit card purchases and the fee waiver if you have $75,000 in Chase accounts.