Chase charges monthly fees on most checking and savings accounts, but you can avoid them by meeting account requirements
Chase does charge monthly service fees on the majority of its checking and savings accounts. The fee amount varies by account type — typically between $12 and $25 per month — but you can waive the fee by maintaining a minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or meeting other specific requirements that Chase sets for each account.
The key is understanding which account you have and what Chase requires to keep the fee from posting each month. Different account tiers have different thresholds, and Chase regularly changes these requirements, so the easiest approach is to log into your account online or call Chase directly to confirm what applies to you right now.
Key Takeaways
- Chase's most common checking account (Chase Total Checking) charges $12 per month unless you meet one of several waiver requirements.
- You can waive monthly fees by maintaining a minimum daily balance (usually $500 to $1,500 depending on the account), setting up direct deposit, or keeping a linked savings account with a minimum balance.
- Chase offers some accounts with no monthly service fee, including Chase Secure Checking and Chase Student Checking, but these come with restrictions or are limited to specific groups.
- Savings accounts at Chase also charge monthly fees ($5 to $25) that can be waived through minimum balance requirements or linked account status.
- Fee waivers and minimum balance thresholds change periodically, so checking your account details online or calling Chase is the only way to know your current requirements.
Common Chase checking accounts and their monthly fees
Chase Total Checking is Chase's standard checking account and charges $12 per month. You can waive this fee by maintaining a minimum daily balance of $500, setting up direct deposit of any amount, maintaining a linked Chase savings account with $500 minimum balance, or being under 18 or over 65 years old.
Chase Premier Plus Checking is a higher-tier account that charges $25 per month. The waiver requirements are stricter: you need either a $25,000 minimum daily balance or a combination of linked accounts (such as a savings account with $10,000 and an investment account with $50,000). This account is designed for customers with larger balances and offers benefits like higher interest rates on linked savings and waived wire transfer fees.
Chase Secure Checking has no monthly service fee and is designed for people building or rebuilding credit. However, it comes with a $500 opening deposit requirement and does not offer a debit card — you receive checks instead. This account does not earn interest.
Chase Student Checking has no monthly service fee but is only available to customers under 24 years old who are enrolled in school. Once you turn 24 or leave school, Chase converts the account to Chase Total Checking, and the $12 monthly fee begins unless you meet waiver requirements.
Chase savings account fees and how to avoid them
Chase savings accounts charge monthly maintenance fees ranging from $5 to $25 depending on the account type. Chase Savings, the standard savings account, charges $5 per month but waives the fee if you maintain a $300 minimum daily balance or link it to a Chase checking account that waives its own fee.
Chase Premier Savings charges $25 per month and requires either a $25,000 minimum daily balance or a linked Premier Plus Checking account to waive the fee. This account offers higher interest rates than standard savings in exchange for the higher balance requirement.
If you are not meeting the minimum balance for a savings account, the $5 monthly fee will reduce your balance and earnings over time. Many customers find it simpler to link their savings to a checking account that already waives its fee — this automatically waives the savings fee as well.
How to check your specific account fees and waiver requirements
The most reliable way to know your exact fees and what waives them is to log into your Chase account online or through the mobile app. Go to your account details or account settings, and look for a section labeled "Account Terms," "Fee Schedule," or "Account Features." This shows your current monthly fee and the specific requirements Chase has set for your account.
You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card or on your statement. A representative can tell you your current fee, explain each waiver option, and help you understand whether you are currently meeting any of them. This is especially useful if you are close to a minimum balance threshold and want to know how much more you need to deposit.
Chase updates its fee structures and waiver requirements periodically, so what waived your fee last year may not apply this year. Checking your account details once or twice a year helps you catch changes before a fee starts posting.
What happens if you do not meet waiver requirements
If you do not meet any of the waiver requirements for your account, Chase will charge the monthly fee on the last day of each statement period. The fee posts directly to your account balance, reducing what you have available. If your account balance is very low, the fee could potentially trigger overdraft fees if it pushes you below zero.
You can request a one-time fee reversal by calling Chase customer service, especially if you have been a long-standing customer or if the fee was charged in error. Chase does not always grant these requests, but it is worth asking if you have a good account history. However, relying on fee reversals is not a sustainable strategy — it is better to either meet the waiver requirements or switch to an account with no monthly fee.
Switching to a no-fee account or another bank
If you cannot meet Chase's minimum balance or direct deposit requirements, you have two main options: switch to one of Chase's no-fee accounts (if you are may be able to access) or move your account to another bank. Chase Secure Checking has no monthly fee and no direct deposit requirement, though it does require a $500 opening deposit and does not include a debit card.
Many online banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements. These accounts often come with fewer in-person branch options but can be a good fit if you primarily bank online or through ATMs. Moving your account takes time — you will need to update direct deposit information with your employer, set up bill payments with new account numbers, and transfer any existing balance — but it is a one-time task that can save you money each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Chase account with no monthly fee?
Chase Secure Checking and Chase Student Checking both have no monthly fees. Secure Checking requires a $500 opening deposit and does not include a debit card. Student Checking is only available to customers under 24 who are enrolled in school and converts to a fee-based account once you age out or leave school.
What is the easiest way to waive Chase's monthly checking fee?
Setting up direct deposit is often the easiest option because it requires no minimum balance and no ongoing action — once it is set up, the fee waiver applies automatically each month. If direct deposit is not available to you, maintaining a $500 minimum daily balance in your checking account is the next most straightforward option.
Do I get charged a fee if my account balance drops below the minimum?
Yes. If your daily balance falls below the minimum required to waive the fee, Chase will charge the monthly fee at the end of your statement period. The fee posts even if your balance was only below the minimum for one day during the month.
Can Chase reverse a monthly fee if I call and ask?
Chase may reverse a single monthly fee as a courtesy, especially if you have been a customer for a long time or if you can explain an unusual circumstance. However, this is not may provide, and you should not count on fee reversals as a regular solution. The better approach is to meet the waiver requirements or switch accounts.
If I link my savings account to my checking account, does that waive both fees?
Linking accounts can waive fees on both, but it depends on your specific accounts and whether they meet Chase's requirements. For example, linking a Chase Savings account to a Chase Total Checking account that already waives its fee will waive the $5 savings fee. Check your account details online or call Chase to confirm how linking affects your specific accounts.