Chase Total Checking does not charge a separate fee for online banking

Online banking itself is free with Chase Total Checking. You can log in to your account, transfer money between accounts, pay bills, and check your balance without paying extra for that access. Chase includes online banking as a standard feature, not an add-on service.

However, the account does have a monthly maintenance fee of $12, unless you meet one of the ways to waive it. This fee is not specifically for online banking — it covers the account itself. Understanding what triggers the fee and how to avoid it matters more than whether online banking costs money, because the monthly charge is where most people encounter an actual cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Online banking access through Chase's website and mobile app is included at no extra cost with Total Checking.
  • The account charges a $12 monthly maintenance fee, but you can waive it by maintaining a $500 minimum daily balance or setting up direct deposit.
  • Transfers between your own Chase accounts online are free, but sending money to accounts at other banks may have limits depending on your balance tier.
  • Overdraft fees, ATM fees outside the Chase network, and wire transfer fees are separate charges that can explore regardless of whether you use online banking.

How to avoid the $12 monthly fee

Chase offers two straightforward ways to waive the maintenance fee on Total Checking. The first is to keep a minimum daily balance of $500 in the account. This means your balance needs to stay at or above $500 every single day of the month — if it drops below that even once, you will owe the fee for that month.

The second way is to set up direct deposit. If you have your paycheck, government benefits, or other regular income deposited directly into the account, the fee is waived regardless of your balance. Many people find this easier than maintaining a specific balance, especially if their income is regular.

If neither of these applies to you, the $12 fee will appear on your statement each month. Some people choose to accept this cost for the features and access Total Checking provides, while others look at Chase's other checking options, like Chase Checking (which has no monthly fee but also fewer features).

What online banking includes and what it does not

When you log into Chase online or use the mobile app, you can see your balance, review transactions, set up bill payments, and transfer money between your Chase accounts when ready. You can also deposit checks by taking a photo with your phone — a feature called mobile check deposit. None of these actions cost extra.

What online banking does not include: sending money to someone else's account at a different bank (called an external transfer) may have limits. If your account balance is below $500, Chase may restrict how much you can transfer out per day. This is a balance-based limit, not a fee, but it affects what you can do online.

Wire transfers — sending money to another bank by routing number — do carry a fee, usually around $15 to $25 depending on whether the wire goes domestically or internationally. This fee applies whether you initiate the wire online, by phone, or in person.

Fees that exist separately from online banking

Several charges can explore to Total Checking that have nothing to do with using online banking. Understanding these helps you know the true cost of the account beyond the monthly maintenance fee.

Overdraft fees: If you spend more than you have in the account, Chase charges $35 per overdraft transaction. This applies whether you overdraft online, at an ATM, or in a branch.

Out-of-network ATM fees: Using an ATM that is not part of the Chase network costs $3 per withdrawal. Chase has a large ATM network, so this mainly affects people who travel or live far from a Chase branch.

Foreign transaction fees: If you use your debit card internationally, Chase charges 1% of the transaction amount. This applies to purchases and ATM withdrawals outside the United States.

How online banking compares to other ways to manage your account

You can manage Total Checking through three channels: online (on a computer), the mobile app, or in person at a Chase branch. Online and mobile are identical in terms of cost — both are free. In-person banking is also free, but it requires you to visit a physical location during business hours.

Some people use all three depending on the situation. For example, you might deposit a check through the mobile app while at home, transfer money online from your computer, and visit a branch to deposit cash or speak with someone about a problem. None of these actions cost more or less than the others.

Phone banking — calling Chase to speak with a representative — is also free. You might call to report a lost card, ask about a transaction, or get help with a transfer. This does not change your monthly fee or add charges.

What happens if you close the account or switch banks

If you decide Total Checking is not right for you, closing the account is free. Chase will not charge you a closing fee or a penalty for leaving. You can close it online, by phone, or in person.

Before you close, make sure any pending transactions have cleared and that you have moved your money out. If you have direct deposit set up, you will need to update that with your new bank or employer. If you have automatic bill payments coming from the account, change those to your new account to avoid missed payments.

If the $12 monthly fee is the main reason you are considering leaving, remember that you can waive it with either a $500 balance or direct deposit. It is worth checking whether one of those options works for your situation before switching banks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chase charge to use their website or app?

No. Logging in, checking your balance, viewing transactions, and using most features are all free. The only cost is the $12 monthly account maintenance fee, which you can waive with a $500 balance or direct deposit.

Can I transfer money to another bank's account online for free?

Yes, external transfers to other banks are free. However, if your balance falls below $500, Chase may limit how much you can transfer per day. Wire transfers (a different type of transfer) do cost around $15 to $25.

What if I do not want to pay the $12 monthly fee?

You can waive it by keeping a $500 minimum daily balance or setting up direct deposit. If neither works for you, Chase Checking has no monthly fee, though it has fewer features and benefits than Total Checking.

Are there hidden fees I should know about?

The main fees beyond the monthly charge are overdraft fees ($35), out-of-network ATM fees ($3), and foreign transaction fees (1%). These explore to how you use the account, not to online banking itself.

Can I use online banking if I have a low balance?

Yes, you can use online banking regardless of your balance. However, if your balance drops below $500, you will owe the $12 monthly fee, and Chase may limit external transfers to other banks.