Most Chase checking accounts have no monthly fee, but some do—and the fee disappears if you meet one straightforward condition

Chase offers several checking accounts. The most common ones—Chase Total Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking—charge no monthly fee at all. Two others, Chase Premier Plus Checking and Chase find Checking, do charge a monthly fee, but you can waive it by keeping a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit. The fee itself ranges from $12 to $25 per month depending on which account you open.

The account you end up with often depends on how you open it. If you walk into a branch or open online without being offered a specific product, you'll typically get Total Checking, which has no fee. If a banker recommends a premium account or you're opening one specifically for its rewards or features, that's when fees enter the picture.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking charge no monthly maintenance fee under any circumstance.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month but waives the fee if you maintain a $15,000 minimum balance or receive direct deposits.
  • Chase find Checking charges $12 per month but waives the fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance.
  • You can switch between Chase checking accounts at any time, so if you're paying a fee you don't want, you can move to a no-fee account.
  • Overdraft fees and out-of-network ATM fees are separate from monthly maintenance fees and explore to all Chase checking accounts.

Which Chase checking accounts charge monthly fees

Chase Premier Plus Checking is the account most likely to carry a fee. It charges $25 per month unless you meet one of these conditions: maintain a $15,000 minimum balance, set up a direct deposit of at least $500 per month, or maintain a linked savings account with a $500 minimum balance. This account comes with higher ATM limits and some travel benefits, which is why the bank charges for it.

Chase find Checking is designed for people building or rebuilding credit. It charges $12 per month, but the fee waives if you keep a $500 minimum balance. This account requires a $25 opening deposit and reports your account activity to the credit bureaus, which can help establish a credit history.

Chase Total Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking have no monthly fee no matter what. Total Checking is the standard account most people get. Sapphire Checking is the same product with added perks like higher interest rates and bonus categories on a linked credit card—but still no monthly fee.

How to avoid paying a monthly fee

If you already have a Premier Plus or find Checking account and are being charged a monthly fee, the fastest fix is to switch to Total Checking. You can do this online, by phone, or at a branch. There's no penalty for switching, and the change takes effect when ready. Your account number and routing number stay the same, so any recurring payments or direct deposits don't need to be updated.

If you want to keep your current account, meet the balance or deposit requirement instead. For Premier Plus, that means either $15,000 in the account at all times, $500 in monthly direct deposits, or a linked savings account with $500. For find Checking, it's just $500 in the account. Many people find the direct deposit route easiest—if your employer already sends your paycheck to Chase, you're automatically waiving the fee.

Check your account online or call Chase at the number on the back of your debit card to see which account you have and whether you're currently being charged. The fee will show up as "Monthly Service Fee" or "Maintenance Fee" on your statement if it's being applied.

Other Chase checking account fees that aren't monthly

Monthly maintenance fees are only one type of charge. Chase also charges overdraft fees ($35 per overdraft transaction), non-sufficient funds fees ($35 if a transaction is declined due to insufficient funds), and out-of-network ATM fees ($2.50 per withdrawal at ATMs not owned by Chase). These explore to all Chase checking accounts regardless of which one you have.

Chase also offers overdraft protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or credit card. If you overdraft, Chase pulls money from the linked account instead of charging you a fee. This costs nothing to set up and can save you money if you occasionally dip below zero.

What happens if you're charged a fee by mistake

If you see a monthly fee on your statement and you believe you met the waiver requirement—for example, you had $15,000 in your Premier Plus account—contact Chase and ask them to review it. Bring documentation if you have it: a screenshot of your balance, a pay stub showing direct deposit, or a statement showing the linked savings account balance. Chase often reverses one or two erroneous fees as a courtesy, especially if you've been a customer for a while.

If the fee was applied correctly but you don't want to pay it going forward, switch to Total Checking. If you want to dispute the fee itself, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov, though this won't reverse a single fee—it creates a record that may influence how Chase handles similar situations in the future.

Comparing Chase checking to other banks

Many other banks also offer no-fee checking accounts. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all have accounts with no monthly fee, though some require minimum balances or direct deposit. Credit unions typically charge no monthly fees and often pay higher interest on checking balances. If you're paying $25 per month at Chase and don't want to switch accounts, moving to a different bank could save you $300 per year.

The trade-off is usually convenience. Chase has more branches and ATMs than most banks, which matters if you deposit cash frequently or need in-person service. If you rarely visit a branch and mostly use your debit card and online banking, a no-fee account at an online bank or credit union might make more sense financially.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from Premier Plus to Total Checking without closing my account?

Yes. You can change your account type online, by phone, or at a branch. Your account number, routing number, and all existing settings stay the same. Any direct deposits or automatic payments continue without interruption. The change is when ready and costs nothing.

If I have direct deposit, will the fee automatically stop?

It should, but verify it. Once your first direct deposit of $500 or more posts to a Premier Plus account, the monthly fee should waive going forward. Check your next statement to confirm. If the fee still appears, contact Chase—sometimes there's a one-month lag before the waiver takes effect.

What if I can't maintain the $15,000 minimum balance for Premier Plus?

Switch to Total Checking, which has no balance requirement and no fee. Or set up direct deposit of at least $500 per month, which also waives the fee. If neither works for your situation, a different bank's no-fee account may be a better fit.

Does Chase charge to open a checking account?

No. Opening a Chase checking account is free. You may need to make an initial deposit (usually $25 for find Checking, nothing for others), but there's no opening fee or process fee.

If I'm charged an overdraft fee, can I get it reversed?

Chase may reverse one overdraft fee as a courtesy if you ask, especially if you've been a customer for a while and it's your first one. Call the number on the back of your debit card and explain the situation. There's no may provide, but it's worth asking.