Chase offers four main checking accounts, and the right one depends on how often you use your account and whether you want to avoid monthly fees
Chase's four checking accounts are Chase Total Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, and Chase find Checking. Total Checking is the most common choice for everyday banking. Sapphire Checking is designed for people who want rewards on debit card purchases. Premier Plus Checking requires a higher balance but waives fees and adds benefits. find Checking is for people building or rebuilding credit history.
The main difference between them is the monthly fee structure, the balance required to waive fees, and what perks come with the account. If you keep a low balance and make few transactions, one account will cost you nothing while another might charge $12 a month. If you spend heavily on your debit card, Sapphire Checking gives you cash back that the others do not.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Total Checking has no monthly fee if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit, making it the lowest-barrier option for most people.
- Chase Sapphire Checking charges $25 per month but returns 1.25% cash back on debit card purchases, which can offset the fee if you spend $2,000 or more monthly on your card.
- Chase Premier Plus Checking requires a $15,000 minimum balance but waives all fees and includes benefits like higher interest rates and travel protections.
- Chase find Checking is for people with limited credit history or past banking problems and does not report to ChexSystems, the banking verification system most banks use.
Chase Total Checking: The standard option for most people
Chase Total Checking has no monthly maintenance fee if you meet one of two conditions: keep a $500 minimum balance in the account, or set up direct deposit of any amount. If you do neither, the fee is $12 per month. This account comes with a debit card, online and mobile banking, and access to Chase's ATM network and branches.
You get a second debit card at no charge, which is useful if you want to give a family member access to the account or keep a backup card. You can link up to 10 accounts within Chase for transfers, and you can send money to people outside Chase through Chase QuickPay, though that service has daily and monthly limits.
Total Checking does not offer cash back on debit purchases or interest on the balance. If you rarely use your debit card or prefer to pay with credit, this account's simplicity and low barrier to entry make it the default choice.
Chase Sapphire Checking: For people who spend heavily on debit
Chase Sapphire Checking charges a $25 monthly fee with no way to waive it, but it returns 1.25% cash back on all debit card purchases. The math works in your favor if you spend roughly $2,000 or more per month on your debit card—at that level, the cash back exceeds the fee. Below that threshold, you are paying for a benefit you do not fully use.
This account also includes a higher interest rate on the balance than Total Checking, though the rate varies and is typically very low. You get the same debit card features, online banking, and ATM access as Total Checking. The cash back posts monthly and can be used to pay down your balance or transferred out.
Sapphire Checking makes sense if you use your debit card for most everyday purchases—groceries, gas, restaurants—rather than relying on credit cards. If you use credit cards for rewards and only use your debit card occasionally, Total Checking is the better choice.
Chase Premier Plus Checking: For people with higher balances
Chase Premier Plus Checking requires a $15,000 minimum balance to waive the $25 monthly fee. If your balance falls below that threshold, you pay the fee. This account is built for people who keep substantial money in checking and want the bank to reward that loyalty.
The benefits include a higher interest rate on your balance, waived fees on wire transfers and cashier's checks, travel protections like trip cancellation insurance, and priority customer service through a dedicated phone line. You also get a higher ATM withdrawal limit and can request a second debit card.
Premier Plus Checking is worth considering only if you regularly keep $15,000 or more in your checking account. If you are deciding between this and Total Checking, ask yourself whether you would keep that balance there anyway—if the answer is no, the account will cost you money rather than save it.
Chase find Checking: For people with limited or damaged banking history
Chase find Checking is designed for people who have had problems with past bank accounts—overdrafts they could not pay, accounts closed by the bank, or no banking history at all. This account does not report to ChexSystems, the system most banks use to track banking problems. That means opening it will not add another mark to your record, and it gives you a way to rebuild trust with a bank.
The account has a $25 monthly fee with no way to waive it. You get a debit card, online banking, and access to Chase branches and ATMs. There is no minimum balance requirement. After you have used the account responsibly for a period of time, you can ask Chase to move you to a different checking account without the fee.
If you are rebuilding your banking history, this account is worth the monthly fee because it does not add to your ChexSystems record and gives you a path forward. If you have a clean banking history, you have no reason to open it—Total Checking is free and offers more features.
How to decide: A straightforward comparison
| Account | Monthly Fee | Fee Waiver | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Checking | $12 | $500 balance or direct deposit | Everyday banking with low balance |
| Sapphire Checking | $25 | None | Heavy debit card users ($2,000+ monthly) |
| Premier Plus Checking | $25 | $15,000 balance | People keeping large balances in checking |
| find Checking | $25 | None | People rebuilding banking history |
Start by asking yourself three questions: Do you have a clean banking history? How much do you typically keep in checking? How much do you spend on your debit card each month?
If you have a clean history and keep less than $15,000 in checking, choose between Total Checking and Sapphire Checking based on debit card spending. If you spend $2,000 or more monthly on your debit card, Sapphire's 1.25% cash back likely covers the $25 fee. Otherwise, Total Checking is cheaper.
If you keep $15,000 or more in checking and want to earn a higher interest rate plus fee waivers, Premier Plus Checking makes sense. If you are rebuilding your banking history, find Checking is the only option that does not report to ChexSystems.
What happens after you open an account
Once you open a Chase checking account, you can set up direct deposit, link external bank accounts for transfers, and order a debit card. The debit card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your account number and routing number to set up automatic payments or transfers when ready, even before the card arrives.
If you opened Total Checking and want to waive the monthly fee, you can set up direct deposit through your employer or another source. Direct deposit of any amount counts—it does not have to be your paycheck. If you prefer to keep the $500 minimum balance instead, make sure you understand that the balance must stay at or above $500 at all times; if it dips below that and you have no direct deposit, the $12 fee will post.
You can switch between Chase checking accounts at any time without closing and reopening. Call Chase or visit a branch to request the change. There is no fee to switch, and your account number and routing number stay the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open more than one Chase checking account?
Yes, you can open multiple checking accounts at Chase. Some people open one for bills and one for savings goals, or one for joint use and one for personal use. Each account has its own debit card and routing number, but they are linked in your online banking.
What if I cannot maintain the minimum balance for Total Checking?
Set up direct deposit instead. Any recurring deposit counts—paycheck, government benefits, transfers from another account. Once direct deposit is active, the $500 minimum balance no longer matters and the fee is waived. If you cannot do either, the $12 monthly fee will post, but you can still use the account.
Does Chase Sapphire Checking cash back count toward rewards on a Chase credit card?
No. The 1.25% cash back on Sapphire Checking is separate from credit card rewards. They do not combine or transfer between products. If you have a Chase credit card with rewards, those points accumulate separately from your checking account cash back.
Can I upgrade from find Checking to another account?
Yes. After you have used find Checking responsibly for a period of time—typically several months—you can contact Chase and ask to move to Total Checking, Sapphire Checking, or Premier Plus Checking. Chase will review your account history and may waive the typical requirements to switch.
What is the difference between a Chase checking account and a savings account?
A checking account is for frequent transactions—paying bills, receiving deposits, making purchases with a debit card. A savings account is for money you want to set aside and earn interest on. Chase offers separate savings accounts with different interest rates. You can have both at the same time and link them for straightforward transfers.