Chase overdraft fees and daily limits

Chase charges $35 per overdraft transaction if your account balance goes negative. The bank will charge this fee once per day, meaning if you make multiple transactions that overdraw your account on the same day, you pay $35 total for that day — not $35 per transaction. If your account stays negative for multiple days, you pay $35 for each day your balance remains below zero.

Chase also caps overdraft fees at $105 per statement cycle (usually one month). This means even if you overdraw your account repeatedly over 30 days, the total overdraft fees you pay cannot exceed $105. Once you hit that cap, Chase stops charging overdraft fees for the rest of that statement period, though your account balance is still negative and you still owe the money.

There is no overdraft fee if your account goes negative by less than $0.01 — Chase rounds and does not charge for rounding errors. If you overdraw by $0.01 or more, the full $35 fee applies.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase charges $35 once per day when your account goes negative, capped at $105 per month.
  • Multiple overdraft transactions on the same day count as one $35 charge, not multiple charges.
  • You can turn off overdraft protection to prevent transactions from going through if funds are insufficient, which stops the fees but may cause declined transactions instead.
  • Chase does not charge a fee if you bring your account back to positive within one business day.
  • Overdraft fees are separate from any interest or fees your bank may charge if your account stays negative for an extended period.

How overdraft protection works at Chase

Chase offers overdraft protection, which is a service that allows transactions to go through even when your account balance is insufficient. This protection is on by default for most Chase accounts. If you have overdraft protection enabled and you make a purchase or withdrawal that would take your balance negative, Chase will let the transaction complete and charge you the $35 overdraft fee.

You can turn off overdraft protection in your Chase mobile app or online banking portal. Go to Settings, then Account Settings, then find the Overdraft Protection toggle. If you disable it, Chase will decline transactions that would overdraw your account instead of charging you a fee. This prevents overdraft fees but means your card or check may be rejected at the point of sale.

Some Chase accounts come with overdraft protection linked to a savings account or credit card. If you have this feature, Chase will automatically transfer money from your linked account to cover the overdraft instead of charging a fee. Check your account details to see if you have this option available.

When Chase waives overdraft fees

Chase does not automatically waive overdraft fees, but you can request a reversal if this is your first overdraft or if you have a good account history. Call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your card and ask to speak with a representative about reversing the fee. They have discretion to remove one or two fees per year for customers in good standing, though there is no may provide.

If you are a Chase Premier Plus or Sapphire Banking customer, you may have additional overdraft protections or fee waivers included with your account tier. Check your account agreement or call to confirm what protections explore to your specific account type.

Chase will not waive fees if your account is chronically overdrawn or if you have a history of overdraft disputes. If you overdraw repeatedly, the bank may close your account.

Overdraft fees versus NSF fees

Chase charges an overdraft fee when a transaction goes through and your account goes negative. Chase charges a non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee when a transaction is declined because you do not have enough money. The NSF fee is also $35 and is capped at $105 per month, the same as overdraft fees.

If you have overdraft protection on, you will pay overdraft fees. If you have it off, you will pay NSF fees when transactions are declined. Both cost the same, so the choice is whether you prefer transactions to go through (and pay overdraft fees) or be declined (and pay NSF fees). Some people prefer declined transactions because they know when ready that they are out of money.

How long you have to fix a negative balance

Chase does not give you a grace period to bring your account back to positive. The $35 overdraft fee is charged the same day your account goes negative, and you owe it when ready. If your account is still negative the next day, you pay another $35 fee.

However, if you deposit money that brings your account back to positive within one business day, Chase will not charge a second overdraft fee. For example, if your account goes negative on Monday and you deposit enough to cover it on Monday or Tuesday morning, you pay only the first $35 fee. If it is still negative on Wednesday, you pay a second $35 fee.

The $105 monthly cap means that even if you stay negative for the entire month, you will not pay more than $105 in overdraft fees total. Once you hit that cap, no additional overdraft fees are charged for the rest of that statement cycle.

What happens if you ignore overdraft fees

If you do not pay your overdraft fees and your account stays negative, Chase will eventually close your account and report you to ChexSystems, a banking history database. This makes it harder to open accounts at other banks for up to five years. Chase may also send your account to a collection agency if the negative balance is large enough.

Before closing your account, Chase will typically send you notices asking you to bring your balance current. If you ignore these notices, the account closure will follow. Once your account is closed, any pending transactions may be declined, and you will owe Chase whatever negative balance remains.

If you are struggling with overdraft fees, contact Chase as soon as possible. Explain your situation and ask about payment plans or fee reversals. The bank is more willing to work with you if you reach out before the account is sent to collections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get overdraft fees refunded if I pay my balance right away?

Chase does not automatically refund overdraft fees, but you can call and request a reversal. If you have a good account history and this is your first overdraft, a representative may remove the fee as a courtesy. There is no may provide, and Chase limits fee reversals to one or two per year per customer.

Does Chase charge overdraft fees on ATM withdrawals?

Yes. If you withdraw cash from an ATM and your account goes negative, Chase charges the $35 overdraft fee the same way it does for debit card purchases or checks. Turning off overdraft protection will decline the ATM withdrawal instead.

What is the difference between overdraft protection and overdraft fees?

Overdraft protection is the service that allows transactions to go through when your balance is low. Overdraft fees are the charges you pay when that service is used. You can disable overdraft protection to prevent fees, but then transactions will be declined instead.

Will overdraft fees hurt my credit score?

Overdraft fees themselves do not appear on your credit report. However, if your account goes to collections because you do not pay the fees and negative balance, that collection account will hurt your credit score. Paying your overdraft fees and negative balance on time prevents this damage.

Can I set up alerts so I do not overdraft?

Yes. In your Chase mobile app or online banking, you can set up low balance alerts that notify you when your account drops below a certain amount. This gives you time to deposit money before you overdraft. Chase also offers text and email alerts for transactions, which can help you track your balance in real time.