Chase does not charge a low balance fee on any of its checking accounts

Chase has no monthly fee tied to how much money sits in your account. You will not be charged for maintaining a low balance in a Chase checking account, whether you have $5 or $500 in the account at any given time.

What Chase does charge for are different things: monthly maintenance fees (which vary by account type and can be waived), overdraft fees when you spend more than you have, and fees for using out-of-network ATMs. A low balance itself is not one of them.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase checking accounts have no fee based on your balance amount, but most accounts do have a monthly maintenance fee that can be waived by meeting specific conditions.
  • The monthly fee ranges from $0 to $15 depending on which Chase checking account you hold, and the conditions to waive it differ by account type.
  • Overdraft fees ($35 per transaction) are what most people encounter when their balance runs low and they spend money they do not have.
  • You can avoid all Chase checking fees by maintaining a direct deposit, keeping a minimum balance, or using a no-fee account option if you may have access to.

What fees Chase checking accounts actually charge

Chase's checking accounts come with different fee structures. The Chase Total Checking account charges a $12 monthly maintenance fee unless you meet one of several conditions: maintain a $500 minimum daily balance, set up a direct deposit of any amount, or link the account to a Chase savings account with a $500 balance. The Chase Premier Plus Checking account charges $25 per month but waives the fee if you maintain a $15,000 minimum balance or have a direct deposit.

The Chase Student Checking account has no monthly fee and is available until you turn 25. The Chase find Checking account, designed for people building credit, also has no monthly maintenance fee.

None of these accounts penalize you for having a low balance. The monthly fee exists regardless of whether you have $10 or $10,000 in the account—but you can eliminate it by meeting the waiver conditions.

Overdraft fees are what happens when your balance actually runs low

When your balance drops below zero because you made a purchase or withdrawal, Chase charges an overdraft fee of $35 per transaction. This is separate from any monthly maintenance fee. If you overdraft multiple times in one day, you can be charged $35 for each transaction, up to a daily maximum.

Chase also offers Overdraft Protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or credit line. If you overdraft, Chase transfers money from the linked account instead of charging a fee. This costs nothing to set up and can save you money if you occasionally spend more than you have.

You can also opt out of overdraft coverage entirely, which means transactions will be declined if you do not have the funds—no fee, but no purchase either.

How to avoid Chase checking fees altogether

The easiest way is to set up a direct deposit. Any amount counts—even a small recurring transfer from another bank will waive the monthly maintenance fee on most Chase checking accounts. If you have a job with direct deposit, you are already covered.

If direct deposit is not an option, maintain the minimum balance for your account type. For Total Checking, that is $500. For Premier Plus, it is $15,000. If neither is realistic, the Student Checking or find Checking accounts have no monthly fee at all, though Student Checking has age limits.

To avoid overdraft fees, enable Overdraft Protection by linking a savings account or credit line. Check your balance before large purchases, or set up low-balance alerts in the Chase mobile app so you know when you are approaching zero.

What to do if you were charged a fee you think is wrong

If Chase charged you a monthly maintenance fee and you believe you met the waiver conditions, contact Chase customer service by phone, through your online account, or at a branch. Bring documentation of your direct deposit or proof of your minimum balance. Chase often reverses one or two fees if you can show you met the requirements.

If you were charged an overdraft fee, ask Chase to review the transaction. Some banks will reverse one overdraft fee per year if you have a clean history. Chase does not have a formal policy on this, but it is worth asking, especially if the overdraft was caused by a processing delay or a transaction you did not authorize.

If you are charged repeatedly and cannot meet the waiver conditions, switching to a no-fee account type or moving to a bank with no monthly fees may make more sense than paying $12 to $25 every month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Chase checking account with no monthly fee?

Yes. Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee if you are under 25. Chase find Checking also has no monthly fee. For other account types, you can waive the fee by setting up direct deposit, maintaining the minimum balance, or linking a savings account with the required balance.

What is the difference between a low balance fee and an overdraft fee?

A low balance fee would charge you for having little money in your account. Chase does not do this. An overdraft fee charges you when you spend money you do not have—when your balance goes negative. That is $35 per transaction at Chase.

If I keep $100 in my checking account, will I be charged?

You will be charged the monthly maintenance fee ($12 for Total Checking, $25 for Premier Plus) unless you meet a waiver condition like direct deposit. The $100 balance itself does not trigger any fee. If you overdraft below zero, you would then owe the overdraft fee on top of the monthly fee.

Does Chase charge a fee just for having the account open?

Most Chase checking accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee, but you can waive it. Student Checking and find Checking have no monthly fee at all. The maintenance fee is not a penalty for low balance—it is a standard monthly charge that applies whether you have $1 or $1,000 in the account.

What happens if I link my savings account to avoid overdraft fees?

Chase will automatically transfer money from your linked savings account to cover overdrafts, with no fee to you. This protects you from the $35 overdraft charge. You can set it up in your online account or ask at a branch.