Chase checking accounts ranked by what you actually use your account for

Chase offers four main checking accounts: Chase Total Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, and Chase Student Checking. The best one depends on how often you use your debit card, whether you keep a minimum balance, and what you're willing to pay in monthly fees. Most people fall into one of two camps: those who want no monthly fee and don't mind a low balance requirement, or those who want premium perks and can afford to keep money sitting in the account.

Reddit users most often recommend Chase Total Checking for everyday banking because it has no monthly maintenance fee if you either deposit $500 or more per month or set up direct deposit. If you can't hit that threshold, you pay $12 a month. Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 a month but waives the fee if you keep $15,000 in the account or linked accounts—it's built for people who already have substantial savings at Chase. Chase Sapphire Checking is the newest option and requires a $500 minimum balance to waive the $25 monthly fee; it's marketed toward people who want travel rewards tied to their checking. Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee and is only for people under 24 with a valid student ID.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee if you deposit $500 monthly or set up direct deposit, making it the lowest-cost option for most people.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking waives its $25 monthly fee only if you maintain $15,000 across Chase accounts, so it's only worth it if you already have that balance elsewhere.
  • Chase Sapphire Checking charges $25 monthly unless you keep $500 in the account and offers bonus points on debit card purchases, but the rewards are modest compared to credit cards.
  • Chase Student Checking is free for anyone under 24 with a student ID and converts to Total Checking when you graduate, so it's the obvious choice if you're may be able to access.
  • Monthly fees are waived if you meet balance or deposit requirements, so the "best" account is the one whose waiver condition you can actually meet.

Chase Total Checking: the default choice for most people

Chase Total Checking is the account most Reddit users recommend because it's free if you meet one of two simple conditions. You either deposit $500 or more per month (which includes direct deposit, transfers from other banks, or mobile check deposits) or you set up direct deposit from your employer. If you do neither, you pay $12 per month.

The account comes with a debit card, online banking, mobile app access, and the ability to deposit checks by phone. You get no interest on the balance—Chase checking accounts pay essentially zero percent APY across all tiers. ATM access includes Chase's own network plus MoneyPass, a network of over 30,000 ATMs nationwide, so you can withdraw cash without a fee at most places.

The catch is that the $500 monthly deposit requirement is a deposit, not a balance. If you deposit $500 on the first of the month and spend it all by the fifth, you still met the requirement. This makes it workable for people with irregular income or those who don't want to keep a large balance sitting idle.

Chase Premier Plus Checking: only if you already have $15,000 at Chase

Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month, but the fee is waived if you maintain a combined balance of $15,000 across your Chase deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market). This account is not designed for people who are deciding between Chase accounts—it's designed for people who already have substantial savings at Chase and want a premium checking experience bundled with it.

The perks are modest. You get the same debit card and mobile app as Total Checking, plus a few extras: higher ATM withdrawal limits, priority customer service phone line, and a small bonus on Chase savings accounts (the rate varies). None of these perks are worth paying $25 a month unless you're already keeping $15,000 or more at Chase for other reasons, like a savings account or CD.

Reddit users often point out that if you have $15,000 to keep in Chase accounts, you'd earn more money by moving it to a high-yield savings account at another bank—even after accounting for the $25 monthly fee waiver. The account makes sense only if you want all your money in one place and don't mind the opportunity cost.

Chase Sapphire Checking: rewards that don't add up

Chase Sapphire Checking is the newest option and costs $25 per month unless you maintain a $500 minimum balance. It's positioned as a rewards-focused account, offering bonus points on debit card purchases and other Chase products. You earn 10 points per $1 spent on debit card purchases at restaurants and gas stations, and 1 point per $1 everywhere else.

The points can be redeemed for cash back or transferred to Chase credit card rewards programs. However, the earning rate is low compared to what you'd get from a credit card—most Chase credit cards earn 3% cash back on restaurants and gas, which is significantly better than the 1% equivalent you get here. The $25 monthly fee also eats into any rewards you earn unless you're spending heavily on the debit card.

Reddit users generally skip this account unless they're already deep into the Chase ecosystem and want to consolidate rewards. For most people, a credit card with better rewards paired with a free checking account (like Total Checking) is a better deal.

Chase Student Checking: free while you're in school

Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement. You need a valid student ID and must be under 24 years old to open it. The account includes a debit card, mobile banking, and the same ATM network as other Chase accounts.

The account automatically converts to Chase Total Checking when you turn 24 or your student status expires. At that point, you'll need to meet the $500 monthly deposit or direct deposit requirement to keep the account fee-free. This makes Student Checking a straightforward choice if you're may be able to access—there's no reason not to open it.

How to decide: a simple flowchart

Start with one question: Can you deposit $500 or more per month, or do you have direct deposit? If yes, open Chase Total Checking and stop. It's free and meets the needs of most people.

If no, ask: Do you already have $15,000 in Chase accounts for other reasons? If yes, Premier Plus Checking waives its fee and bundles your accounts. If no, you're paying a monthly fee no matter what, so choose based on what you want: Student Checking if you're under 24 with a student ID (free), Sapphire Checking if you spend heavily on debit and want rewards (unlikely to be worth it), or Total Checking and just pay the $12 monthly fee.

Most people end up at Total Checking because the $500 deposit threshold is easy to hit. If you receive a paycheck, that's $500 right there. If you don't, a single transfer from another bank counts, so you can move money in from savings once a month and meet the requirement.

What Reddit users actually choose and why

On Reddit, the overwhelming consensus is Chase Total Checking. Users cite the ease of waiving the fee through direct deposit, the lack of a balance requirement, and the straightforward feature set. People who have Premier Plus Checking usually mention they already had the $15,000 balance and wanted to consolidate accounts, not that they chose it for the checking features.

Sapphire Checking gets mixed reviews. Some users appreciate the rewards, but most say the earning rate is too low and the $25 fee isn't worth it unless you're spending thousands per month on the debit card. Student Checking gets universal praise from may be able to access users because it's free and has no gotchas.

A common thread in Reddit discussions is that people often open the wrong account initially and switch later. The most common switch is from Premier Plus to Total Checking after realizing the $15,000 balance requirement is too high, or from Sapphire to Total Checking after calculating that the rewards don't cover the fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do any Chase checking accounts pay interest?

No. Chase checking accounts pay zero percent APY regardless of which account you choose or how much you keep in the account. If you want interest on your money, you need a Chase savings account, money market account, or CD—those pay variable rates that change with the market.

Can I switch from one Chase checking account to another without closing the first one?

Yes. You can open multiple Chase checking accounts and keep them both open. Many people open Total Checking for everyday use and keep a Premier Plus account open if they have the balance, since there's no penalty for having both. However, you can also close one and open another at any time without penalty.

What happens if I don't meet the fee waiver requirement one month?

You pay the monthly fee for that month. For Total Checking, that's $12. For Premier Plus or Sapphire, that's $25. The fee is charged once and doesn't compound. If you meet the requirement the next month, the fee doesn't come back—you just pay it for the one month you missed.

Is there a penalty for closing a Chase checking account?

No. Chase does not charge a fee to close a checking account. However, if you close the account within 90 days of opening it, Chase may flag you in their internal system and make it harder to open another account later. This is rare and usually only happens if you open and close multiple accounts in a short time.

Can I use Chase checking with a credit card rewards program?

Yes, but the checking account itself doesn't earn rewards on debit card purchases in most cases (except Sapphire Checking, which earns points). However, if you use a Chase credit card for purchases and pay the bill from your checking account, you earn rewards on the credit card, not the checking account. This is actually a better strategy than using a debit card because credit cards offer higher rewards rates.