Most Chase checking accounts have no monthly fee, but some do

Chase offers several checking accounts, and whether you pay a monthly fee depends on which one you open. The Chase Total Checking account has no monthly fee if you meet one of two conditions: keep a minimum balance of $500, or set up direct deposit. If you do neither, there is a $12 monthly fee. Other Chase checking accounts work differently — some have no fee at all, while others charge fees that vary by account type.

The key is knowing which account you are opening and what the actual requirements are before you sign up. Chase also waives fees in certain situations, like if you are under 18 or a student.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee if you either keep $500 in the account or receive direct deposits.
  • Chase find Checking has no monthly fee and is designed for people building credit or new to banking.
  • Some Chase accounts charge monthly fees ranging from $12 to $25, but you can avoid them by meeting balance or deposit requirements.
  • Students and people under 18 may have their monthly fees waived entirely.
  • You can call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 or visit a branch to confirm the exact fee structure before opening an account.

Chase Total Checking: The most common account and how to avoid the fee

Chase Total Checking is the account most people open when they start banking with Chase. It has a $12 monthly fee, but you can avoid it entirely. The fee goes away if you keep a minimum balance of $500 in the account at all times, or if you set up direct deposit from an employer or government benefit.

Direct deposit is the easier path for most people. Once your paycheck or benefit payment goes directly into the account, the $12 fee disappears — you do not need to maintain any balance. If you do not have direct deposit, keeping $500 available at all times works, but that money is tied up and cannot be spent freely.

Many people choose Chase Total Checking because it comes with a debit card, online banking, and access to Chase's ATM network. If you meet one of the fee-waiver conditions, you get all of that with no cost.

Chase find Checking: No monthly fee, designed for people new to banking

If you are new to banking or rebuilding your credit, Chase find Checking has no monthly fee at all — there are no conditions to meet. This account is simpler than Total Checking: it comes with a debit card and online access, but fewer features overall.

The tradeoff is that find Checking requires you to open a Chase savings account at the same time, and you need to maintain a $300 balance in that savings account. You are not paying a fee on the checking account itself, but the savings account does have a $5 monthly fee if the balance drops below $300. So the real cost depends on whether you want a savings account anyway.

find Checking is often the right choice for someone opening their first bank account or someone who has had banking problems in the past. Chase uses it as a stepping stone — after you build a history, you can move to Total Checking or another account.

Other Chase checking accounts and their fees

Chase offers several other checking accounts aimed at specific customers. Chase Premier Plus Checking is designed for people with higher balances and charges a $25 monthly fee, though it waives the fee if you keep $25,000 in the account or have a linked Chase investment account. Chase Sapphire Checking is part of Chase's premium banking tier and also charges a monthly fee.

Chase also offers accounts specifically for students and young people. Chase College Checking has no monthly fee for students, and the fee waiver continues for a set period after graduation. Chase First Banking is for people under 18 and has no monthly fee.

If you are not sure which account fits your situation, the safest choice is Chase Total Checking with direct deposit — it has no fee and works for almost anyone with a job or regular income.

How to avoid fees once you have an account

Once your account is open, the easiest way to avoid fees is to set up direct deposit. This takes about five minutes: you give your employer or benefits administrator your Chase account and routing number, and the payment goes in automatically. You can find both numbers on the bottom left of your Chase debit card, or in the mobile app under account details.

If direct deposit is not an option, keep track of your minimum balance. For Total Checking, that is $500. Set a phone reminder on the first of each month to check your balance, or turn on low-balance alerts in the Chase app — the app will notify you when your balance drops below a number you choose.

If you fall below the minimum and get charged a fee, you can call Chase and ask them to reverse it, especially if it is your first time. Chase customer service is available at 1-800-935-9935, or you can visit a branch in person.

What happens if you do not meet the fee requirements

If you do not set up direct deposit and do not keep the minimum balance, Chase charges the monthly fee automatically. For Total Checking, that is $12 per month, which adds up to $144 per year. The fee comes out of your account on the same day each month.

You will see the fee listed in your account statement and in the mobile app. If you notice it, you can change your account settings right away — set up direct deposit or move money in to hit the minimum balance, and the fee will stop the following month.

Some people choose to pay the fee because they cannot meet the balance requirement and do not have direct deposit. That is a valid choice, but it is worth knowing the cost upfront. If you are on a tight budget, Chase find Checking with no fee might be a better fit, even though it requires a linked savings account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from one Chase checking account to another to avoid fees?

Yes. You can close one account and open another, or in some cases convert an existing account to a different type. Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 or visit a branch to ask about switching. There is no penalty for closing an account, though Chase may ask why you are leaving.

Does the $500 minimum balance have to stay in checking, or can I move it to savings?

The $500 must stay in the checking account itself to waive the fee. If you move it to savings, you no longer meet the requirement and the fee kicks in the next month. Direct deposit is the better option if you need to use your money freely.

What if I have direct deposit but it stops — do I get charged the fee?

Yes. Once direct deposit stops, you lose the fee waiver. The $12 fee will start the following month unless you either set up a new direct deposit or maintain the $500 balance. If you change jobs, set up direct deposit with your new employer as soon as possible.

Do I have to pay for a Chase debit card?

No. The debit card comes free with any Chase checking account. There is no annual fee or set up fee. You only pay if you use out-of-network ATMs repeatedly — Chase charges $3 per out-of-network withdrawal after a certain number per month.

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 website or mobile app. You will need a valid ID, Social Security number, and an initial deposit (usually $25). Opening online takes about 10 minutes and you can start using the account the same day.