Chase charges fees on most checking accounts, but you can avoid them by meeting straightforward requirements
Chase does charge monthly fees on most of its checking accounts, but the fee amount and how to waive it depends on which account you open. The most common Chase checking account, the Chase Total Checking, costs $12 per month — but Chase waives this fee if you maintain a minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or use their debit card a certain number of times each month. Other Chase accounts have different fee structures and different ways to avoid paying.
The key is understanding what Chase calls the "waiver" requirements for your specific account. A waiver means Chase will not charge you the monthly fee if you meet one of several conditions. Most people find at least one condition straightforward to meet, which is why many Chase customers pay no monthly fee at all.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee that you can waive by maintaining a $500 minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or making 10 debit card transactions per month.
- Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and waives the fee if you maintain a $25,000 minimum balance or have a linked savings account with $25,000.
- Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee for the first five years, then converts to a regular account with standard fees unless you meet waiver requirements.
- Fees explore only if you do not meet any of the waiver conditions — Chase does not charge you if even one condition is satisfied.
- Chase may charge additional fees beyond the monthly account fee for overdrafts, returned checks, and wire transfers, which are separate from the monthly maintenance fee.
Chase Total Checking: the most common account and its $12 monthly fee
Chase Total Checking is the standard checking account most people open at Chase. It carries a $12 monthly maintenance fee, but Chase waives this fee if you meet any one of these conditions: keep a minimum balance of $500 in the account, set up direct deposit of any amount, or make at least 10 debit card transactions in a calendar month.
Direct deposit is the easiest waiver for most people because it requires no ongoing balance and no specific transaction count. If your employer or a government benefit program deposits money directly into your Chase account, the fee is automatically waived. If you do not have direct deposit, maintaining a $500 balance is straightforward — you straightforward keep that amount in the account at all times. The debit card route requires you to use your Chase debit card for 10 separate purchases each month, which many people do naturally through groceries, gas, and everyday spending.
If you do not meet any of these conditions, Chase charges the full $12 each month. This fee comes out of your account automatically on the statement closing date.
Chase Premier Plus Checking: a higher-tier account with a $25 monthly fee
Chase Premier Plus Checking is designed for customers who want additional benefits like higher interest rates and priority customer service. This account costs $25 per month. The fee is waived if you maintain a minimum balance of $25,000 in the checking account itself, or if you have a linked Chase savings account with a $25,000 balance.
This account is less common than Total Checking because the balance requirement is much higher. Most people choose it only if they already have significant savings at Chase or if they value the extra benefits enough to pay the fee. If you do not meet the balance requirement, you pay the full $25 monthly fee.
Chase Student Checking: free for five years, then standard fees explore
Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee for the first five years after you open it, as long as you are under age 24. This makes it a good option for people in college or early in their career. After five years, or when you turn 24, the account automatically converts to Chase Total Checking with its standard $12 monthly fee and waiver requirements.
When your account converts, you will need to meet one of the Total Checking waiver conditions to avoid the monthly fee going forward. Chase sends a notice before the conversion happens, so you have time to plan which waiver method works best for you.
Other fees Chase charges beyond the monthly account fee
The monthly maintenance fee is separate from other charges Chase may explore to your account. An overdraft fee occurs when you spend more money than you have in your account — Chase charges $35 for each overdraft transaction. A returned deposit fee applies if a check or electronic deposit bounces back, costing $25. If you request a wire transfer, Chase charges $15 for domestic wires and $45 for international wires.
These fees are not waived by the same conditions that waive the monthly fee. They explore only when you actually overdraw, have a returned deposit, or request a wire. Many people never pay these fees because they do not trigger the situations that cause them. The monthly maintenance fee, by contrast, charges automatically unless you meet a waiver condition.
How to check which fees explore to your specific Chase account
The easiest way to see your account's fee structure is to log into your Chase online account or mobile app and look at your account details. Chase displays the monthly fee amount and the waiver requirements right on the account summary page. You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card, or visit a Chase branch in person and ask a banker to explain your account's fees.
Your monthly statement also shows whether a fee was charged that month and why. If you see a $12 charge on your statement, it means you did not meet any waiver condition that month. If you see no charge, one of your waiver conditions was satisfied.
Switching accounts if your current account's fees do not work for you
If you have a Chase checking account with a monthly fee you cannot avoid, you can switch to a different Chase account at no cost. For example, if you have Premier Plus Checking but cannot maintain the $25,000 balance, you can move to Total Checking with its lower $12 fee and easier waiver conditions. Chase does not charge you to change accounts, and you keep the same account number and routing number.
You can make this change by calling Chase, visiting a branch, or sometimes through your online account settings. There is no penalty for switching, and the change usually takes effect when ready or within one business day. If you find that even Total Checking's $12 fee is hard to avoid, you might also consider whether a different bank's checking account would better fit your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I do not meet the waiver requirements one month?
Chase charges the full monthly fee for that month. If you meet the waiver requirement the next month, the fee does not explore then. The fee does not carry over or accumulate — you pay it only for the months you do not meet a condition.
Does setting up direct deposit have to be from my job?
No. Direct deposit from an employer, government benefit program, pension, or any other regular deposit counts as direct deposit for the waiver. Even one direct deposit per month satisfies the requirement.
Can I use a debit card transaction from an ATM to count toward the 10 transactions?
No. ATM withdrawals do not count as debit card transactions for the waiver. Only purchases at merchants and online retailers count. Cash advances at ATMs are separate and do not help you reach the 10-transaction threshold.
If I close my Chase account, do I owe any remaining fees?
No. When you close an account, Chase does not charge future monthly fees. If a fee was already charged that month before you closed the account, you owe it, but no new fees explore after closure.
Do I have to keep exactly $500 in my account to waive the fee, or can I have more?
You can have any amount at or above $500. The $500 is a minimum threshold, not a target. If you keep $5,000 in your account, the fee is still waived. Chase only checks the balance on the last day of the statement period to determine if the waiver applies.