Chase charges monthly fees on most accounts, but you can avoid them by meeting simple requirements

Chase does charge monthly maintenance fees on many of its checking and savings accounts. The fee ranges from $0 to $25 per month depending on which account you open. However, you can avoid the fee entirely on most accounts by meeting one simple requirement — usually maintaining a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit. The specific requirement changes by account, so the fee you pay (or don't pay) depends on which Chase product you choose and how you manage it.

Not every Chase account charges a fee, and not every customer who opens a fee-based account will actually pay it. Understanding which account you have and what waives the fee is the difference between paying $144 a year and paying nothing.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking, the bank's standard checking account, has a $12 monthly fee that you can waive by maintaining a $500 minimum balance or setting up direct deposit.
  • Chase Savings charges $5 per month but waives the fee if you keep $300 or more in the account.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 monthly and requires a $25,000 minimum balance or $50,000 in linked Chase accounts to waive the fee.
  • Chase Secure Banking has no monthly fee but comes with restrictions like no overdraft protection and limited ATM access.
  • You can confirm your account's current fee and waiver requirements by logging into your Chase account online, checking your statement, or calling your branch.

Chase Total Checking and the $12 monthly fee

Chase Total Checking is the bank's standard checking account and carries a $12 monthly maintenance fee. You can waive this fee in two ways: maintain a minimum balance of $500 in the account, or set up direct deposit of any amount. Many people choose direct deposit because it requires no balance threshold — even a small recurring deposit counts.

If you do not meet either condition, the $12 fee posts to your account each month. This is Chase's most popular checking product, so understanding how to avoid the fee matters if you are considering opening an account with them. Over a year, paying the fee adds up to $144, which is real money even for people with modest savings.

Chase savings accounts and the $5 monthly fee

Chase's standard savings account, called Chase Savings, charges a $5 monthly maintenance fee. You waive it by keeping a $300 minimum balance in the account. This is a lower threshold than the checking account, but it still requires you to maintain money you might otherwise spend.

Chase also offers a high-yield savings account called Chase Sapphire Savings, which has no monthly fee at all. However, it typically requires a higher opening deposit and is marketed toward customers with more substantial savings. If you are opening a savings account and want to avoid fees, ask about both options when you visit the branch.

Premium accounts with higher monthly fees

Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month and is designed for customers who want premium features like higher ATM reimbursement limits and priority customer service. You can waive this fee by maintaining a $25,000 minimum balance, having $50,000 or more in linked Chase accounts, or meeting other account activity requirements.

These premium accounts are not the default option — you have to open them deliberately. Most people use Chase Total Checking instead, which has a much lower fee and easier waiver requirements. If a Chase employee suggests a premium account, ask specifically what the monthly fee is and what you need to do to avoid paying it.

Chase Secure Banking: the no-fee option with trade-offs

Chase does offer one account with no monthly fee: Chase Secure Banking. However, this account comes with significant limitations. It has no overdraft protection, meaning if you spend more than your balance, transactions will be declined rather than covered. It also has restricted ATM access and limited online features compared to other Chase accounts.

This account is designed for people rebuilding credit or those who want a simple, no-cost option. If you need standard checking features like overdraft protection and full ATM access, you will likely end up with an account that charges a fee unless you meet the waiver requirements. Ask a Chase representative whether Secure Banking fits your needs before opening it.

How to check your specific account's fee structure

Chase account terms change periodically, and different regions or account opening dates may have different fee structures. The most reliable way to know what you are paying is to log into your Chase account online and look at your account details, or call your local Chase branch and ask about your specific account's monthly fee and waiver requirements.

You can also review your monthly statements — the maintenance fee will appear as a line item if you are being charged. If you are being charged and believe you should not be, contact Chase to confirm whether you meet the waiver requirements. Keep a record of any direct deposits or balance transfers you make, in case you need to prove you met the waiver condition.

What happens if you do not meet the waiver requirement

If you do not maintain the minimum balance or set up direct deposit, the monthly fee will post to your account automatically. There is no grace period or warning — the fee simply appears on your statement each month. The charge happens whether you notice it or not.

If you find yourself regularly paying the fee, it may be worth switching to a different account type or bank. Some online banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements, though they may not have the branch network Chase offers. Before you switch, call Chase and ask whether a different account type would work better for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch to a different Chase account to avoid the fee?

Yes. If you are paying a monthly fee on one Chase account, you can open a different Chase account with lower or no fees. You can keep both accounts open or close the old one. Call Chase or visit a branch to discuss which account type fits your situation best.

Does direct deposit have to come from my employer?

No. Chase accepts direct deposit from employers, government benefits, and other recurring sources. Even a small monthly transfer from another bank counts as direct deposit for fee-waiver purposes, though you should confirm this with Chase since policies can vary by account type.

What if I fall below the minimum balance for one month?

The fee will post that month. You do not get a warning or a grace period. However, if you bring the balance back up the following month, you will not be charged again — the fee only applies to months when you do not meet the requirement.

Do I have to pay the monthly fee when I first open the account?

No. Most Chase accounts waive the fee for the first month or two. After that, the fee applies unless you meet the waiver requirement. Check your account terms or ask at the branch when you open the account so you know when the fee will start.

Is there a way to get the monthly fee refunded?

If you were charged in error — for example, if you met the minimum balance requirement but were still charged — you can contact Chase and ask for a refund. They may reverse one or two months of fees as a courtesy, but they will not refund fees you were legitimately charged for not meeting the account requirements.