Most Chase checking accounts charge a monthly fee, but you can waive it

Chase charges a monthly maintenance fee on most of its checking accounts, typically $12 per month. The fee applies unless you meet one of Chase's waiver conditions — usually a minimum balance, direct deposit, or a combination of account activity. Which account you have and what you do with it determines whether you actually pay.

The most common Chase checking accounts are Chase Total Checking and Chase Premier Plus Checking. Total Checking costs $12 per month but the fee disappears if you maintain a $500 minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or link a Chase savings account with $500 in it. Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and requires either a $15,000 minimum balance or $5,000 in a linked savings account to waive the fee.

If you do not meet any waiver condition, you will be charged the full monthly fee. Chase does not refund fees retroactively in most cases, so the charge hits your account each month until you either meet a waiver requirement or close the account.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee that you can waive with a $500 minimum balance, direct deposit, or a linked savings account with $500.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking costs $25 per month and requires either $15,000 in the checking account or $5,000 in a linked savings account to avoid the fee.
  • If you do not meet any waiver condition, the full monthly fee will be charged to your account each month.
  • Direct deposit is one of the easiest ways to waive the fee because it requires no minimum balance and counts even if the deposit amount is small.

How the $500 minimum balance waiver works

The minimum balance requirement is checked on a daily basis, not an average. If your account balance drops below $500 on even one day during the month, you do not meet the waiver condition and the fee will be charged. This means you need to keep at least $500 in the account at all times to use this method.

Chase counts only the money in that specific checking account toward the minimum. Funds in a savings account, money market account, or investment account do not count, even if they are linked to your checking account. The exception is the linked savings account waiver, which is a separate condition.

Direct deposit as the easiest fee waiver

Setting up direct deposit removes the monthly fee regardless of your balance or account type. Chase does not specify a minimum deposit amount, so even small recurring deposits — like a $25 paycheck or a $10 monthly transfer from another bank — should may have access to. The deposit must be recurring and set to hit your Chase account automatically each month.

Direct deposit takes one to two pay cycles to set up after you set it up. During that time, the monthly fee may still be charged. Once the first direct deposit posts, contact Chase to request a refund of fees charged while the deposit was pending, though refunds are not may provide.

If you receive Social Security, a pension, or unemployment benefits, those deposits count as direct deposit for this purpose. You do not need a paycheck from an employer.

Linked savings account waiver

Chase allows you to waive the checking account fee by maintaining a linked savings account with a minimum balance. For Total Checking, the linked savings account needs $500. For Premier Plus Checking, it needs $5,000. The balance is checked daily, just like the checking account minimum.

The savings account must be at Chase and linked to your checking account. You can link accounts online through your Chase dashboard. The savings account earns interest, though Chase's savings rates are typically lower than online banks offer.

What happens if you do not meet a waiver condition

The monthly fee will post to your account on a set day each month, usually around the first or second week. The fee reduces your balance when ready. If your account balance is low, the fee can push you into overdraft, which triggers additional overdraft fees.

Chase does not automatically refund monthly fees if you miss a waiver condition for one month. If you believe the fee was charged in error — for example, if direct deposit was set up but did not post yet — you can contact Chase customer service to request a one-time refund. Success depends on your account history and the reason for the request.

Chase checking accounts with no monthly fee

Chase offers one checking account with no monthly fee: Chase find Banking. This account is designed for people with limited banking history or a negative ChexSystems record. It has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee, but it comes with a $25 overdraft limit and does not offer a debit card. You can withdraw money only at Chase branches or through ATMs.

find Banking is not widely advertised and you may need to ask a Chase banker about it in person or call customer service to open one. It is a real option if you cannot meet the waiver conditions on other accounts, but the limited access makes it less convenient for everyday use.

How to check your current account type and fee status

Log into your Chase online account or mobile app and go to your account details. The account type appears at the top of the account summary. The monthly fee amount and any active waivers are listed in the account information section. You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card to confirm your account type and current fee status.

If you are unsure whether you meet a waiver condition, ask Chase directly. They can tell you whether your direct deposit is set up correctly, what your current balance is, or whether a linked account meets the minimum. This takes five minutes and prevents surprise fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I was charged a monthly fee by mistake?

Chase may refund one or two months of fees if you can show you met a waiver condition and the fee was charged in error. Call customer service with your account number and explain the situation. Refunds are not may provide, but asking costs nothing and often works if your account history is clean.

Does a small direct deposit count toward the fee waiver?

Yes. Chase does not set a minimum deposit amount for direct deposit waivers. Even a $10 monthly transfer counts as long as it is set up as recurring direct deposit and posts automatically to your account each month.

What if I close my Chase checking account and reopen it later?

Chase may flag your account as recently closed and deny a new account process, or they may require you to wait a period of time before reopening. If you want to keep your account open but avoid fees, switching to a waiver method is simpler than closing and reopening.

Do I need to keep the $500 minimum balance every single day?

Yes. Chase checks the balance daily, so even one day below $500 means you do not meet the waiver condition for that month and the fee will be charged. If you want to use this method, keep the $500 as a permanent buffer in the account.

Can I use a savings account at a different bank to waive the fee?

No. The linked savings account must be a Chase savings account. Accounts at other banks do not count toward any Chase checking account fee waiver.