Chase overdraft fees: the current amounts

Chase charges $35 per overdraft transaction if your account goes negative and the transaction posts. This fee applies once per day, meaning if multiple transactions overdraw your account on the same day, you pay $35 total for that day, not $35 per transaction. The fee appears in your account within one to two business days.

If your account stays overdrawn for more than five consecutive business days, Chase charges an additional $35 extended overdraft fee. This happens automatically — you do not have to do anything to trigger it. The extended fee can repeat every five days your account remains negative, though Chase caps the total overdraft fees at $140 per statement cycle (four fees maximum).

These amounts explore to most Chase checking accounts. Some specialty accounts, like Chase Premier Plus Checking, may have different terms. The fee structure has remained stable, but Chase updates its fee schedule periodically, so confirm the current amounts on your account agreement or by calling 1-800-935-9935.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase charges $35 when a transaction overdrafts your account, with a maximum of one fee per day regardless of how many transactions post.
  • An additional $35 extended overdraft fee applies if your account stays negative for more than five consecutive business days.
  • The total overdraft fees in a statement cycle cannot exceed $140, which means you pay at most four overdraft fees combined.
  • Overdraft fees appear in your account one to two business days after the transaction that caused the overdraft.

How Chase decides whether to charge the fee

Chase charges the overdraft fee only if a transaction actually posts to your account when the balance is negative. A transaction that is declined does not trigger a fee. This matters because Chase does not always decline overdrafts — it depends on the type of transaction and your account history.

Debit card transactions and ATM withdrawals are more likely to be declined if you lack funds. ACH transfers (electronic bill payments and direct deposits from employers) and checks are more likely to post even if your balance is negative, which means you will owe the overdraft fee. Wire transfers typically decline rather than overdraft.

Chase also offers Overdraft Protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or credit line. If a transaction would overdraft your checking account, Chase pulls funds from the linked account instead, and you pay a transfer fee (usually $10) rather than an overdraft fee. You must set this up in advance through your Chase online account or by visiting a branch.

When the fee hits your account

The overdraft fee does not post when ready. Chase processes overdraft fees in batches, typically one to two business days after the transaction that caused the overdraft. This delay means your account balance may look different on the day of the transaction than it does when you check a day or two later.

If you deposit money before the fee posts, the deposit reduces your negative balance but does not prevent the fee from posting. For example: your balance is -$50 on Monday, you deposit $100 on Tuesday, your balance is now $50, but the $35 overdraft fee still posts on Wednesday, leaving you with $15.

Extended overdraft fees (the second $35 charge) post on the sixth business day your account has been negative. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a Friday overdraft does not start the five-day clock until Monday.

How to avoid or reverse overdraft fees

The most direct way to avoid the fee is to keep your balance positive. Chase shows your available balance in your app and online account, which accounts for pending transactions. Checking this before you spend reduces the risk of overdrafting.

If you overdraft by accident, you can sometimes get the fee reversed. Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and ask to speak with a representative about the overdraft. Chase does not have a formal policy on reversals, but representatives have discretion to remove one or two fees per year, especially if you have been a customer for a long time or if the overdraft was caused by a system error. You have a better chance if you call within a few days of the fee posting.

Setting up Overdraft Protection is another option if you have a linked savings account or may have access to for a credit line. This prevents the overdraft from happening in the first place, though you pay a transfer fee instead. The transfer fee is usually lower than the overdraft fee, and it does not trigger the extended overdraft fee.

Overdraft fees compared to other Chase charges

Chase charges other fees that can add up quickly. A non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee is the same as an overdraft fee — $35 — and applies when a check or ACH transfer bounces because your account lacks funds. A returned deposit fee of $25 applies if a check you deposited bounces. Monthly maintenance fees range from $0 to $15 depending on your account type and whether you meet balance or direct deposit requirements.

Overdraft fees are separate from interest charges. If your account stays negative and you have a credit line linked through Overdraft Protection, you pay interest on the borrowed amount, not a flat fee. The interest rate varies but is typically 18% to 24% annually.

What happens if you ignore the overdraft

If your account stays negative and you do not deposit money to cover it, Chase will eventually close your account. The timeline varies — Chase may close an account after 60 to 90 days of negative balance, though it can happen sooner. Before closing, Chase sends notices to your registered address and may attempt to contact you by phone.

A closed account appears on your banking history and can make it harder to open accounts at other banks. Chase may also refer the debt to a collection agency if the negative balance is large enough. You remain responsible for the full negative amount plus any fees, even after the account closes.

If you think your account was closed in error or you want to understand why it was closed, visit a Chase branch or call 1-800-935-9935. Some accounts can be reopened if you pay the negative balance and fees within a certain window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Chase charge an overdraft fee if I have overdraft protection set up?

No. If Overdraft Protection is active and linked to a savings account or credit line, Chase transfers funds from that account instead of allowing the overdraft. You pay a transfer fee (usually $10) rather than the $35 overdraft fee. The protection only works if you set it up before the overdraft occurs.

How many overdraft fees can I be charged in one day?

Chase charges a maximum of one overdraft fee per day, even if multiple transactions overdraft your account on the same day. If your account is still negative five business days later, you pay the extended overdraft fee ($35) on the sixth day. The total fees in a statement cycle cannot exceed $140.

Will depositing money before the fee posts stop the charge?

No. Once a transaction posts while your account is negative, the overdraft fee will post one to two days later, regardless of whether you deposit money in the meantime. The deposit reduces your balance but does not prevent the fee from appearing.

What is the difference between an overdraft fee and an NSF fee?

Both are $35 at Chase. An overdraft fee applies when a transaction posts and your account goes negative. An NSF fee applies when a check or ACH transfer bounces because you lack funds — the transaction does not go through, but you still pay the fee.

Can I get an overdraft fee removed if I call Chase?

Chase representatives have discretion to remove overdraft fees, but there is no may provide. You have a better chance if you call within a few days of the fee posting, have been a customer for a long time, or if the overdraft was caused by a system error. Calling 1-800-935-9935 and asking to speak with a representative is your best option.