Chase Total Checking is a standard checking account with no monthly fee if you meet one straightforward condition
Chase Total Checking is a basic checking account from Chase Bank that charges no monthly service fee as long as you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit. You get a debit card, online banking, and access to Chase's ATM network. The account is designed for everyday spending and bill payment, not savings or investment.
The account comes with two ways to avoid the $12 monthly fee: keep $500 in the account at all times, or have at least one direct deposit per month. If you do neither, the fee applies. There is no minimum opening deposit required to start the account.
Chase Total Checking is one of several checking options Chase offers. It sits between their basic account (which has a fee with no waiver option) and their premium accounts (which offer higher rewards and more features). Most people choose it because it has no fee if they can meet one of the two conditions, and because Chase has branches and ATMs in most U.S. cities.
Key Takeaways
- The $12 monthly fee is waived if you keep $500 in the account or receive at least one direct deposit per month.
- You get a debit card, online bill pay, and access to over 4,700 Chase ATMs nationwide at no extra cost.
- There is no minimum opening deposit, so you can open the account with any amount.
- The account earns no interest on your balance, so it is meant for spending and bill payment, not saving.
- If you do not meet the fee waiver conditions, you will be charged $12 each month the account is open.
What you get with the account
Chase Total Checking includes a debit card that works at any merchant that takes Visa. You can withdraw cash at any Chase ATM or at ATMs in the MoneyPass network, which includes thousands of locations outside Chase branches. You also get online banking through Chase's website or mobile app, where you can check your balance, transfer money between accounts, and pay bills.
The account comes with overdraft protection, which means Chase can cover a transaction that would otherwise bounce — but you will be charged an overdraft fee (currently $35 per occurrence) if you use it. You can also set up alerts to notify you when your balance drops below a certain amount, which helps you avoid overdrafts in the first place.
You can deposit checks through the mobile app using mobile check deposit, or by mailing them to Chase, or by going to a branch in person. There is no limit on how many checks you can deposit or how many transactions you can make per month.
The two ways to avoid the monthly fee
The first way is to keep a minimum balance of $500 in the account at all times. This means your lowest balance during the month cannot drop below $500, or the fee will be charged. If you have $500 one day and $499 the next, you will owe the fee for that month. The balance requirement is straightforward but requires discipline if your income is irregular.
The second way is to have at least one direct deposit per month. Direct deposit means your employer (or a government agency, or another source) transfers money electronically into your account. Even a small direct deposit counts — it does not have to be your full paycheck. If you receive Social Security, unemployment benefits, or a pension, those count as direct deposits. If you are self-employed or a freelancer with no direct deposit, this option will not work for you.
You only need to meet one of these conditions. If you have both a $500 balance and a direct deposit, the fee is still waived — you do not get a discount for meeting both. If you meet neither condition in a given month, the $12 fee is charged on the last day of that month.
Interest and rewards
Chase Total Checking does not earn interest on your balance. The interest rate is 0.01% or lower, which means a $1,000 balance will earn less than a penny per year. If you are looking to earn interest on money you are not spending, a savings account or money market account would be a better choice.
The account does not offer cash back rewards, points, or any other incentive for using the debit card. Chase offers those features in their premium checking accounts, which have higher monthly fees or higher balance requirements. For most people, the main benefit of Chase Total Checking is the fee waiver, not rewards.
Fees beyond the monthly service charge
In addition to the $12 monthly fee (if you do not meet the waiver conditions), Chase charges other fees for specific actions. An overdraft fee is $35 each time a transaction overdrafts your account. A non-sufficient funds fee is also $35 if you try to make a transaction and do not have enough money, even if Chase does not cover it. An out-of-network ATM fee is $3 if you withdraw cash from an ATM that is not Chase or MoneyPass.
If you close the account within 90 days of opening it, Chase may charge a $25 early closure fee. This is designed to discourage people from opening accounts just to get a promotional bonus and then closing them when ready. If you keep the account open for at least 90 days, you can close it without penalty.
Wire transfer fees, stop payment fees, and other specialized services each have their own charges. For a full list, check Chase's fee schedule on their website or ask at a branch.
How Chase Total Checking compares to other Chase accounts
| Account Type | Monthly Fee | Fee Waiver | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $12 | $500 balance or direct deposit | Everyday checking with no fee if you meet one condition |
| Chase Sapphire Checking | $25 | $20,000 balance or $500+ monthly direct deposit | Higher balance customers who want premium features |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | $30 | $75,000 balance or $5,000+ monthly direct deposit | Wealth management customers with significant balances |
Chase Total Checking is the lowest-cost option for most people. If you cannot meet the $500 balance or direct deposit requirement, you would pay the $12 fee every month, which adds up to $144 per year. In that case, you might want to look at banks that offer free checking with no conditions, such as some online banks or credit unions.
Opening and managing the account
You can open Chase Total Checking online, at a Chase branch, or by phone. Online opening takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, a government-issued ID, and proof of address. You do not need to deposit money to open the account — you can fund it later by transferring from another bank or by depositing a check.
Once the account is open, you can manage it entirely online or through the Chase mobile app. You can check your balance, see recent transactions, set up bill pay, transfer money to other accounts, and change your account settings. You can also visit a Chase branch to deposit cash or checks, or to speak with someone about your account.
If you want to close the account, you can do so online, by phone, or at a branch. Make sure you have withdrawn or transferred all your money first, and that you have paid any outstanding checks or bills. If you close the account within 90 days, you will be charged the $25 early closure fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my balance drops below $500 for one day?
If your lowest balance during the month falls below $500, you will be charged the $12 monthly fee for that month. Chase looks at your balance each day, so even a single day below $500 triggers the fee. The direct deposit waiver does not have this problem — one direct deposit per month is all you need, regardless of your balance.
Does a transfer from another bank count as a direct deposit?
No. A direct deposit is specifically an electronic transfer from an employer, government agency, or other authorized source. A transfer you initiate from your own account at another bank does not count. If you are self-employed or do not receive regular deposits, the $500 balance waiver is your only option.
Can I use Chase Total Checking for a business?
No. Chase Total Checking is for personal use only. If you need a business checking account, Chase offers separate business checking products with different fees and features. You would need to open a business account and provide an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or sole proprietor documentation.
What is the difference between overdraft protection and overdraft fees?
Overdraft protection means Chase will cover a transaction that would otherwise bounce, but you pay a $35 fee for each transaction they cover. Without overdraft protection, the transaction is straightforward declined and you pay no fee. You can turn overdraft protection on or off in your account settings.
Can I earn interest if I keep a large balance in Chase Total Checking?
No. Chase Total Checking earns essentially no interest regardless of your balance. If you want to earn interest, you would need to open a Chase savings account or money market account, which have different terms and interest rates. You can have both a checking account and a savings account at Chase.