Chase charges a monthly fee on most checking accounts, but you can waive it
Chase's standard checking account, the Chase Total Checking, carries a $12 monthly maintenance fee. However, the fee disappears if you meet one of several conditions each month: maintain a minimum balance of $500, set up direct deposit of any amount, or link the account to a Chase savings account with $500 in it. Most people who use their account regularly hit one of these thresholds without trying.
If you want to avoid the fee entirely without meeting balance or deposit requirements, Chase offers the Chase find Checking account, which has no monthly fee. This account is designed for people building or rebuilding credit and comes with a debit card and online banking, though it does require a $25 opening deposit that stays in the account.
Chase also offers student and senior checking accounts with different fee structures. The Chase College Checking account has no monthly fee for the first five years after opening, as long as you are under 24 years old. After that, it converts to a standard account with the same $12 fee and waiver options.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking costs $12 per month unless you maintain a $500 balance, set up direct deposit, or link a savings account with $500.
- Direct deposit of any amount—even a small transfer from another bank—counts toward waiving the fee, so you do not need a paycheck.
- Chase find Checking has no monthly fee and requires only a $25 opening deposit that you keep in the account.
- Student accounts waive the fee for five years, then convert to standard accounts with the same fee structure.
How the $500 balance requirement works
The balance threshold is measured as your average daily balance across the entire month, not a single-day snapshot. Chase adds up your balance at the end of each day, divides by the number of days in the month, and if that average hits $500 or more, the fee is waived. This means you do not need to keep $500 in the account at all times—you could have $1,000 one day and $100 the next, and if the average comes out to $500 or higher, you are covered.
The balance includes only money in the checking account itself. Savings accounts, money market accounts, or investments at Chase do not count toward this threshold, even if they are linked to your checking account. If you are trying to use the balance waiver, you need the money sitting in the checking account.
Direct deposit as the easiest waiver path
Setting up direct deposit is often the simplest way to waive the fee because it requires no minimum amount. A single direct deposit per month—whether it is a paycheck, a government benefit, or a transfer you set up from another bank—qualifies. Many people do not realize that transfers from their own accounts at other banks count as direct deposits for this purpose.
If you receive a paycheck, Social Security, unemployment benefits, or any regular payment by direct deposit, you already meet this requirement. If you do not receive direct deposits, you can set up a recurring transfer from another bank account to your Chase checking account, and that counts. Some people transfer $1 per month just to keep the fee waived.
Comparing Chase checking accounts and their fees
| Account Type | Monthly Fee | How to Waive |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $12 | $500 average balance, direct deposit, or linked savings with $500 |
| Chase find Checking | None | No waiver needed |
| Chase College Checking | $12 (after 5 years) | Free for first 5 years; then same as Total Checking |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | $25 | $25,000 average balance or $10,000 in linked savings |
What happens if you do not meet a waiver condition
If your account does not meet any of the waiver requirements in a given month, the $12 fee posts to your account automatically. Chase does not warn you in advance or give you a grace period—the fee straightforward appears in your transaction history. You can call Chase and ask them to reverse a single fee if it is your first time, but they will not do this repeatedly.
The fee is charged once per month, on a date that varies depending on when you opened the account. You can see the exact date in your account settings or by calling Chase customer service. Knowing the date helps you plan whether you will meet a waiver condition that month.
Linked savings accounts and the $500 requirement
If you link a Chase savings account to your checking account, you can use the savings balance to waive the checking fee. The savings account must contain at least $500 in average daily balance during the month. This is useful if you prefer to keep most of your money in savings but want to avoid the checking fee.
The savings account must be in your name and linked through Chase's online banking system. You cannot use a savings account at another bank, even if it is linked for transfers. If you close the linked savings account, the waiver disappears, and you will need to meet one of the other conditions to avoid the fee going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I waive the fee with a Chase credit card?
No. Chase credit card balances, credit limits, or rewards points do not count toward any checking account fee waiver. Only direct deposits, checking account balance, or linked savings account balance matter.
Does the direct deposit have to be from my employer?
No. Any recurring electronic deposit counts, including transfers you set up from another bank, government benefits, or payments from a side job. Even a $1 monthly transfer from another account you own satisfies the requirement.
What if my balance drops below $500 for one day?
One low day does not disqualify you. The fee waiver is based on your average daily balance for the entire month, so a single dip below $500 will not trigger the fee as long as your average stays at $500 or higher.
Can I move money between my checking and savings to hit the $500 threshold?
Yes. You can transfer money between your Chase checking and savings accounts as many times as you want. The balance requirement looks at the average balance in each account separately, so moving money in before the month ends counts.
Is there a way to avoid the fee without meeting any conditions?
Yes. Chase find Checking has no monthly fee and no balance or deposit requirements. It is designed for people rebuilding credit and requires a $25 opening deposit that stays in the account, but after that there are no ongoing fees.