Chase Premier Plus is a checking account for people who keep higher balances or use multiple Chase products
Chase Premier Plus Checking is a standard checking account with benefits tied to how much money you keep in Chase accounts. You get a debit card, online banking, and the ability to write checks. The main difference from a basic Chase checking account is that Premier Plus waives certain fees and adds perks — but only if you meet a balance requirement or use other Chase products together.
The account itself is free to open. You will not pay a monthly fee if you either keep a combined balance of $25,000 or more across your Chase deposit and investment accounts, or if you have a Chase mortgage or investment account. If you do not meet either condition, Chase charges a monthly maintenance fee (the amount varies by region, so ask your local branch or check Chase's website for your area).
This account makes sense if you already bank with Chase and have money sitting there anyway. It does not make sense if you are opening a Chase account for the first time and do not have $25,000 to deposit.
Key Takeaways
- Premier Plus waives the monthly maintenance fee if you keep $25,000 or more combined across Chase deposit and investment accounts, or if you have a Chase mortgage or investment account.
- The account includes a debit card, online and mobile banking, and the ability to write checks at no extra cost.
- You pay no fee to open the account, but you will owe a monthly maintenance fee if you do not meet the balance or product requirements.
- Chase also offers a basic checking account with no balance requirement, which may be a better fit if you are new to Chase or do not plan to keep large balances there.
What fees you pay and when
The monthly maintenance fee is the main cost to watch. Chase charges this fee if your combined balance falls below $25,000 and you do not have a may have access to mortgage or investment account. The fee amount depends on your state and branch — it ranges from roughly $10 to $25 per month, but you should confirm the exact amount for your location.
You also pay standard fees for things any checking account charges: overdraft fees if you spend more than you have, out-of-network ATM fees if you use another bank's machine, and fees for stopping a check or requesting a copy of an old statement. Premier Plus does not waive these fees. The balance requirement only waives the monthly maintenance fee itself.
If you drop below $25,000 temporarily, Chase usually gives you a grace period before charging the fee — often 30 days. Ask your branch what their specific grace period is, because it can vary.
Perks that come with the account
Beyond waiving the monthly fee, Premier Plus includes some benefits that a basic Chase checking account does not. You get priority customer service, meaning shorter wait times when you call or visit a branch. You also receive a higher interest rate on the account balance itself, though the rate is still very low — often less than 0.01 percent annually, which means you earn almost nothing on the money sitting there.
Premier Plus also waives fees for certain services, like wire transfers and cashier's checks. If you regularly need these services, the waived fees can add up. You also get discounts on some Chase products, like lower rates on home equity lines of credit or reduced fees on investment accounts.
The specific perks change over time, so log into your Chase account online or call your branch to see the current list for your region.
How the $25,000 balance requirement works
The balance is combined across all your Chase deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market) and your Chase investment accounts. If you have $15,000 in checking and $10,000 in savings, that counts as $25,000 total and waives the fee. Money in a Chase credit card does not count toward this balance.
Chase checks your balance on the last day of each month. If you are above $25,000 on that day, you do not pay the fee for the next month. If you drop below $25,000, the fee kicks in the following month — but as mentioned, many branches give you a grace period to get back above the threshold.
This means you do not have to keep $25,000 in the checking account itself. You can keep most of it in a savings account or investment account and still meet the requirement.
When Premier Plus makes sense versus a basic Chase account
Open Premier Plus if you already have $25,000 or more in Chase accounts, or if you have a Chase mortgage. The waived monthly fee and extra perks are genuine benefits in that situation, and they cost you nothing extra.
Open a basic Chase checking account instead if you are new to Chase, do not plan to keep large balances there, or want to avoid any monthly fee without conditions. Chase's basic checking account has no balance requirement and no monthly fee — you straightforward do not get the extra perks. For most people starting out, the basic account is the right choice.
If you are not sure which account you have now, log into your Chase account online or ask at a branch. You can switch from basic to Premier Plus (or vice versa) at any time with no penalty.
How to open a Premier Plus account
You can open the account online through Chase's website, on the Chase mobile app, or in person at a Chase branch. Online and app opening usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will need a government-issued ID, your Social Security number, and your contact information.
If you already have a Chase account, you can often upgrade to Premier Plus from within your online banking or app without starting over. If you are opening a Chase account for the first time, the bank will ask you to choose between basic checking and Premier Plus during the opening process.
Once the account is open, your debit card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your account for transfers and bill pay when ready, even before the card arrives.
What happens if your balance drops below $25,000
If your combined Chase balance falls below $25,000 and you do not have a may have access to mortgage or investment account, the monthly maintenance fee starts. Most branches give you 30 days to get back above $25,000 before charging the fee, but confirm this with your branch because it varies.
If you know your balance will stay below $25,000 long-term, switching to a basic Chase checking account removes the fee entirely. There is no penalty for switching, and you keep the same account number and debit card.
Some people keep Premier Plus even when they occasionally dip below $25,000, because they know they will get back above it within the grace period. Others switch to basic checking to avoid the fee altogether. The right choice depends on your situation and how often you expect to be below the threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need $25,000 in the checking account itself, or can it be spread across other accounts?
The $25,000 can be spread across all your Chase deposit and investment accounts combined. You might keep $5,000 in checking and $20,000 in savings, for example, and still meet the requirement. Chase adds up the total on the last day of each month.
What if I have a Chase mortgage — do I still need the $25,000 balance?
No. If you have a Chase mortgage or certain Chase investment accounts, the monthly fee is waived regardless of your balance. You do not need to keep any minimum amount in the checking account itself.
Can I switch from Premier Plus back to basic checking if I change my mind?
Yes. You can switch at any time with no penalty, through your online banking, the mobile app, or by visiting a branch. Your account number and debit card stay the same.
Does the interest rate on Premier Plus checking make a real difference?
No. The interest rate is typically less than 0.01 percent annually, which means you earn almost nothing. A high-yield savings account at an online bank pays much more. Premier Plus is a checking account, not a place to grow money.
What if I am below $25,000 for just one month?
Most Chase branches give you a grace period — usually 30 days — to get back above $25,000 before charging the monthly fee. If you are below the threshold on the last day of the month but expect to deposit money soon, contact your branch to confirm their specific grace period.