Chase Monthly Service Fees: Here's How to Avoid the $12 Fee

The Chase Total Checking® Account is one of Chase Bank's most commonly used accounts for day-to-day transactions. However, Chase also offers more extensive services with its higher-tiered products, like its Sapphire and Premier accounts.

Below, we list the monthly service fees of Chase Total Checking and as well as the fees of those more expensive accounts. We explain how to avoid the monthly maintenance fees by meeting certain minimum requirements.

And if you're interested in foregoing monthly maintenance fees and minimum balance requirements altogether, then we compare Chime's checking account as a great, hassle free alternative.

Chase Bank Monthly Service Fees: Chase Total Checking & More

Below, we've compiled a list of the monthly service fees for the Chase Total Checking account and eight other frequently used Chase accounts nationwide. Each account comes with its own criteria and restrictions for fee waivers, which we detail in their respective sections.

Chase Total Checking®

Chase Total Checking® is a standard checking account for depositing your salary, using your debit card, paying bills, and conducting other everyday transactions. You can access the account at a physical branch, on your computer, or with Chase's mobile app. When you use the app, you can get account alerts and use Chase Credit Journey® to track your credit score.

• Monthly Fee: $12
• Overdraft Fee: $34
• Out-of-Network ATM Fee: $5

How to Avoid the Chase Total Checking Monthly Service Fee

Fulfill at least one of the following requirements each month to avoid the $12 monthly service fee:

• Make electronic deposits of $500+ into this account each month;
• Maintain a daily balance of at least $1,500 in this account;
• Maintain an average beginning day balance of at least $5,000 between this account and in qualifying linked Chase deposits or investments.

Chase Secure Checking℠

Chase Secure Checking℠ is a basic low-cost bank account with no minimum deposit. As Chase Bank's affordable option, the account offers very limited features.

• Monthly Fee: $4.95
• Overdraft Fee: N/A
• Out-of-Network ATM Fee: $5

How to Avoid the Chase Secure Checking Monthly Service Fee

Chase does not allow holders of this account to avoid the $4.95 monthly service fee. However, Chase does waive the monthly fee for at least the first two statement periods for new or converted accounts.

Chase Premier Plus Checking℠

Chase Premier Plus Checking℠ offers the same features as Total Checking plus you earn some interest on your balance and get no fees on the first four non-Chase ATM transactions of the month. You also get no fee for counter checks, money orders, and cashier's checks. Chase also waives the maintenance fee of this account if you are a service member with the U.S. Armed Forces.

• Monthly Fee: $25
• Overdraft Fee: $34
• Out-of-Network ATM Fee: $5

How to Avoid the Chase Premier Plus Checking Monthly Service Fee

Fulfill at least one of the following requirements each month to avoid the $25 monthly service fee:

• Maintain an average beginning day balance of at least $15,000 between this account and in qualifying linked Chase deposits or investments;
• Have a linked qualifying Chase first mortgage enrolled in automatic payments from your Chase account;
• Provide a qualifying military ID for current service members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Chase Sapphire℠ Checking

Chase Sapphire℠ Checking offers preferential interest rates on linked Chase Premier Savings accounts, a debit card with no foreign transaction fees, access to perks, and less fees overall. This includes a four-day grace period per year on overdraft fees, during which Chase will not charge fees on insufficient funds on the first four business days, and will start charging on the fifth business day. Perhaps best of all, Chase will refund out-of-network ATM fees worldwide.

• Monthly Fee: $25
• Overdraft Fee: $34
• Out-of-Network ATM Fee: $0

How to Avoid the Chase Sapphire Checking Monthly Service Fee

Fulfill this one requirement each month to avoid the $25 monthly service fee:

• Maintain an average beginning day balance of at least $75,000 between this account and in qualifying linked Chase deposits or investments.

Chase High School Checking℠

Chase High School Checking℠ is a joint account meant to help parents and legal guardians help kids access everyday banking and build up their financial independence. Teens can access funds with a Chase debit card and can manage their balances with the Chase mobile app.

• Monthly Fee: $0.00
• Overdraft Fee: N/A
• Out-of-Network ATM Fee: $5

How to Access the Chase High School Checking Account

To get the $0 monthly service fee, the account holder needs to be a student between 13-17 years old and co-own the account with their parent or legal guardian. The High School account must also be linked with the parent or guardian's personal Chase checking account. Linked accounts that do not qualify are the Chase High School Checking, Chase College Checking, Chase Secure Checking, and Chase First Checking.

One important thing to know as that once the student turns 19, his or her High School Checking account will become a Chase Total Checking account. As we noted above, Chase Total Checking charges a $12 monthly service fee.

Chase College Checking℠

Chase College Checking℠ is a standard checking account for verified students between 17-24 in the US. You can easily waive the $6 monthly fee for up to five years if you show proof of student status. You'll be able to access the basic features of the account with a debit card and with Chase's mobile app.

• Monthly Fee: $6
• Overdraft Fee: $34
• Out-of-Network ATM Fee: $5

How to Avoid the Chase College Checking Monthly Service Fee

Fulfill at least one of the following requirements each month to avoid the $6 monthly service fee:

• Provide a currently valid student ID;
• Receive at least one electronic deposit into the account each month;
• Maintain an average daily balance of at least $5,000 in this account.

Chase Savings℠

Chase Savings℠ is a standard savings account that sometimes offers higher APY rates than Chase's checking account products. (Despite the rise in interest rates nationwide in 2023, the Chase Savings℠ Interest Rates was a minuscule 0.01% the last we checked on November 6th, 2023.) The account comes with Autosave, which you can access at Chase.com or on the mobile app to set up automatic recurring transfers from your checking account.

Instead, we recommend Chime's optional high-yield savings account³ to get 2.00% APY. Chime has two useful savings features: Round Ups and Save When I Get Paid: Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime checking account to your savings account. Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your savings account.

• Monthly Fee: $5
• Out-of-Network ATM Fee: $5

How to Avoid the Chase Savings Monthly Service Fee

Fulfill at least one of the following requirements each month to avoid the $5 monthly service fee:

• Maintain a daily balance of at least $300 in this account;
• Set up at least $25 in Autosave or other repeating transfers from your Chase checking account;
• Have a linked Chase College Checking account;
• Are younger than 18 years old;
• Have a linked Chase Premier Plus Checking℠, Chase Sapphire℠ Checking, or Chase Private Client Checking℠ account.

Chase Premier Savings℠

Chase Premier Savings℠ is a savings account that may let you earn better interest rates on higher balances. You can get Premier relationship rates if you make at least five transactions per month using your linked Premier Plus Checking℠ or Sapphire℠ Checking account.

However, the Chase Premier Savings℠ APY rate was hardly better than the standard account, sitting at just 0.02% APY when we checked on November 6th, 2023. According to the rate schedule we saw, the APY did not improve even if balances were higher. Even balances above $10 million would still get the 0.02% APY.

Instead, we recommend Chime's optional high-yield savings account to get 2.00% APY. You need a Chime checking account to be eligible. The savings account has no minimum balance required, and you just need $0.01 in savings to start earning interest.

• Monthly Fee: $25
• Out-of-Network ATM Fee: $0

How to Avoid the Chase Premier Savings Monthly Service Fee

Fulfill at least one of the following requirements each month to avoid the $25 monthly service fee:

• Maintain a daily balance of at least $15,000 in this account;
• Have a linked Chase Premier Plus Checking℠ or Chase Sapphire℠ Checking account.

Chase Private Client Checking℠

Chase Private Client Checking℠ offers highly personalized service with a relationship manager to help you manage your accounts, mortgages, and other finances. The associated debit card charges no foreign transaction fees and refunds out-of-network ATM fees worldwide. This account has the same four-day grace period rule for overdrafts as Chase Sapphire and provides rushed replacement of debit or credit card at no cost.

• Monthly Fee: $35
• Overdraft Fee: $34
• Out-of-Network ATM Fee: $0

How to Avoid the Chase Private Client Checking Monthly Service Fee

Fulfill at least one of the following requirements each month to avoid the $35 monthly service fee:

• Maintain an average beginning day balance of at least $150,000 between this account and in qualifying linked Chase deposits or investments.
• Have a linked Chase Platinum Business Checking℠ account.

Recap: How to Avoid the Chase Monthly Maintenance Fee

To keep your Chase account from monthly service fee charges, you’ll generally need to follow at least one of these criteria:

1. Maintain a Minimum Balance: Ensure your account balance meets the bank's specified minimum requirement, as detailed in your account agreement.
2. Set Up Direct Deposit: Direct your pay check or other regular deposits to your Chase account. The minimum monthly conditions are laid out by Chase bank.
3. Meet Eligibility Status (e.g., Student): If you qualify for specific status, like being a student, you might be exempt from certain fees. Verify your eligibility with Chase.
4. Link Accounts: Connect your Chase account with other qualifying accounts. If Chase can verify that you hold a certain threshold of balances with a combination of accounts, then they will often waive account service fees.

Other Chase Service Fees

In addition to the fees we list above, Chase charges other fees for less common transactions and requests. These fees apply across all standard account types:

• Stop Payment: $30 per request
• Online or Automated Phone Stop Payment: $25 per request
• Deposited Item Returned or Cashed Check Returned: $12 per item
• Counter Check: $3 per page
• Money Order: $5 per check
• Cashier’s Check: $10 per check
• Savings Withdrawal Limit Fee: $5

Why Is Chase Bank Charging Me a Monthly Service Fee?

Chase's monthly service maintenance fee helps cover costs, including managing accounts and providing services such as customer support, account security, ATM network maintenance, and digital banking access. Chase sets minimum balance and direct deposit requirements to waive this fee. Essentially, the requirements serves as an incentive for customers to deposit more funds with the bank, enabling Chase to increase its deposit base.

The more money you deposit into your Chase account, the more Chase can use to earn income. They lend out a percentage of your deposits to borrowers and charge interest on those loans. This interest rate is generally higher than the APY rate that they use to pay you for keeping your money with them. The difference — known as the net interest margin — is one of the main ways Chase profits.

Not to worry; the Federal Reserve places regulatory restraints on banks to hold a certain fraction of deposits as reserves for meeting customer withdrawal demands. Your deposits are also backed by deposit insurance from the FDIC.

Monthly Service Fees: Chase Total Checking® vs Chime® Checking Account

Chase and Chime represent two distinct segments of the financial sector. Chase is a historied, brick-and-mortar banking institution that offers walk-in service with bank representatives. This setup can be beneficial when it comes to significant financial decisions such as setting up mortgages, business loans, or managing investment portfolios. On the other hand, Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Instead, banking services are provided by its partners. Thanks to its headache-free fee schedule and convenient mobile platform, we recommend Chime to manage your everyday transactions.

Chase's Total Checking Account has a fairly detailed fee structure, even though it provides some free everyday services, like domestic ACH transfers and cash withdrawals at Chase ATMs. Yet, it may not be an optimal choice for day-to-day banking due to potential fees for monthly maintenance, overdrafts, wire transfers, stop payment requests, handling returned deposited items, and providing additional services like counter checks, money orders, cashier's checks, and legal processing. This extensive potential fee list underscores why it might not be the best option if you prioritize cost-effectiveness in your daily banking.

Chime, however, is a less costly alternative to traditional banks like Chase. Its fee structure is much simpler, with the only significant fee being $2.50 for using out-of-network ATMs. While it may not offer as many services (for example, Chime does not process money orders or international wires) it does not impose monthly or overdraft fees. In fact, Chime offers SpotMe®, which will allow you to overdraw up to $200 on debit card purchases without charging a fee. The lower fee structure, along with its mobile app platform, might make Chime a more attractive option for those prioritizing cost and simplicity.

What Are the Best Checking Accounts With No Monthly Fees?

Check out our shortlist of the best no-monthly-fee checking accounts available. If you'd like to take a deep dive into more financial technology companies, then read our comprehensive list of the best neobanks in the United States in 2024.

1 — Chime

As one of the most popular digital checking accounts in the U.S., Chime makes sending free peer-to-peer transfers to friends and family convenient and instant. In addition to its optional high-yield savings account, Chime offers its Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa Credit Card.

Learn more: read our review or visit their website.

2 — Current

Current digital checking account offers you a solid APY and an enticing rewards program attached to its debit card.

Learn more: read our review or visit their website.

3 — Revolut

Revolut is an ideal companion for international travelers and cross-border transactions, offering a multi-currency account with industry-low currency exchange rates.

Learn more: read our review or visit their website.

Disclaimers

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.

¹ Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over-the-counter advance fees may apply. See here for details.

² To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.

³ The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change anytime. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance is required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.

⁴ On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary.

⁵ SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no-interest/no-fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Credit Builder Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no-fee overdraft service attached to the Chime Checking Account available to qualifying members after Visa debit card activation. Both SpotMe on Credit and SpotMe on Debit are sometimes collectively referred to as "SpotMe" or, if you have signed up to use SpotMe with only one account, "SpotMe" means the elected service. To qualify for SpotMe, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account monthly. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or Secured Deposit Account (associated with your Chime Credit Builder credit card) up to $20 but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe Debit Terms and Conditions and SpotMe on Credit Terms and Conditions.

References Used In This Guide

Understanding checking and savings account fees. Chase. Accessed 6 November 2023.
Chase Private Client Checking℠. Chase. Accessed 6 November 2023.
Chase Bank Fees. Chime. Accessed 6 November 2023.
Additional Banking Services and Fees for Personal Accounts Deposit Account Agreement. Chase. Accessed 6 November 2023.