The most common Chase monthly fees and how to stop them

Chase charges several monthly fees depending on your account type, but most can be waived by meeting simple requirements. The monthly maintenance fee (usually $12 to $15 on checking accounts) disappears if you keep a minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or maintain a certain number of debit card transactions each month. The overdraft fee ($35 per transaction) hits only if you spend more than your balance — you can prevent it by linking a savings account or turning on overdraft protection. Savings account fees apply when you exceed a transaction limit, but this limit is high enough that most people never hit it.

The specific fee and the specific waiver depend on which Chase account you hold. A Chase Total Checking account has different requirements than a Chase Premier Plus Checking account. Before you try to waive a fee, log into your account online or call Chase at the number on your card to confirm which account you have and what that account's fee structure actually is.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Chase checking account monthly fees waive if you keep a minimum balance (often $500 to $1,500), set up direct deposit, or make a certain number of debit card purchases each month.
  • Overdraft fees ($35 each) can be prevented by linking a savings account for overdraft protection or by monitoring your balance before you spend.
  • Savings account fees apply only if you exceed transaction limits that are rarely hit by typical account holders.
  • Your specific account type determines which fee waivers are available, so check your account details online or call Chase before assuming a waiver applies to you.

Waiving the monthly maintenance fee on checking accounts

Chase checking accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee unless you meet at least one of several conditions. The most straightforward is maintaining a minimum daily balance — for many Chase checking products, this is $500 to $1,500, depending on the account tier. If you keep that amount in the account at all times, the fee does not post.

If a minimum balance is not realistic for you, set up direct deposit. Chase counts any recurring electronic deposit as direct deposit, including paychecks, Social Security, pension payments, and regular transfers from another bank. You typically need just one direct deposit per month for the fee to waive, though some account types require a higher amount (like $500 or $1,000). The deposit must actually land in the account — scheduling it does not count.

A third option is making a certain number of debit card purchases each month. Chase usually requires 10 to 15 transactions, depending on your account. Online purchases, in-store swipes, and PIN transactions all count. This is the easiest waiver for people who already spend regularly from their checking account.

You can also waive the fee by maintaining a linked savings account with a minimum balance, or by setting up a Chase credit card with automatic payments from that checking account. Check your specific account's terms online to see which waivers apply to you.

Preventing overdraft fees

An overdraft fee ($35 per transaction in most cases) posts when you spend more money than you have in your account. Chase will still process the transaction and charge you the fee, leaving you further in the negative. The simplest prevention is to link a savings account or money market account to your checking account for overdraft protection. If you overdraw, Chase automatically transfers money from the linked account to cover it, and you pay a smaller transfer fee (usually $0 to $10) instead of the overdraft fee.

If you do not have a linked account, turn on overdraft protection through Chase's website or mobile app. This setting lets you opt in to overdraft coverage, meaning Chase will cover small overdrafts rather than declining the transaction. You still pay the overdraft fee, but at least the transaction goes through and you are not embarrassed at the checkout. You can also turn this off if you prefer Chase to simply decline transactions when you do not have funds.

The most reliable method is monitoring your balance before you spend. Set up low-balance alerts in the Chase app so you get a notification when your balance drops below a threshold you choose (like $100). This gives you time to transfer money in or adjust your spending before you overdraw.

Understanding savings account transaction limits and fees

Chase savings accounts allow a certain number of withdrawals or transfers per month before a fee applies. For many accounts, this limit is six transactions per month, though some account types allow more. Deposits do not count toward this limit — only withdrawals and transfers out of the account.

Most people never hit this limit because they use savings as a holding account, not a spending account. If you are regularly moving money out of savings more than six times per month, you are likely using it as a second checking account. In that case, consider opening a second checking account instead, which has no transaction limits. If you do exceed the limit, Chase charges a fee (usually $5 to $10 per excess transaction), but you can request a one-time waiver by calling the number on your card.

Fees for specific services and how to avoid them

Beyond monthly maintenance and overdraft fees, Chase charges for specific services. Wire transfer fees ($15 to $25 depending on whether the wire is domestic or international) apply every time you send money outside the Chase network. There is no waiver for this — it is a per-transaction cost. If you send wires regularly, factor this into your decision about which bank to use.

Foreign transaction fees (typically 3% of the transaction amount) apply when you use your Chase debit card outside the United States. This fee is standard across most banks and cannot be waived. If you travel internationally, a no-foreign-fee credit card is a better tool than a debit card.

ATM fees ($2 to $3 per out-of-network withdrawal) apply when you use an ATM that is not part of the Chase network or a partner network. Chase has a large ATM network, so this fee is easy to avoid by finding a Chase ATM. If you frequently need cash in a location without Chase ATMs, consider a bank with a larger network or a credit union with shared branching.

Returned check fees ($15 to $35) post if a check you deposit bounces or if a check you write is returned unpaid. You cannot prevent this fee, but you can reduce the risk by confirming funds are available before writing checks and by depositing checks only from reliable sources.

How to request a fee waiver if one posts to your account

If a fee has already posted to your account and you believe it should not have, call Chase at the number on your card and ask to speak with an account specialist. Explain which fee posted, when it posted, and why you believe it should not have (for example, "I set up direct deposit on the 15th, but the maintenance fee posted on the 1st"). Chase customer service representatives have the authority to remove one fee per year as a courtesy, though this is not may provide.

Your chances of a waiver are better if you have been a Chase customer for a long time, maintain a healthy account balance, or have multiple products with Chase. If this is your first fee and you have a reasonable explanation, ask politely. If the representative declines, you can ask to speak with a supervisor, though the outcome is often the same.

Choosing a Chase account that fits your spending habits

Chase offers several checking account types, each with different fee structures and waiver requirements. Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly fee that waives with a $500 minimum balance, direct deposit, or 10 debit card transactions. Chase Premier Plus Checking has a $25 monthly fee and requires a $15,000 minimum balance or $5,000 in linked savings to waive it — this account is designed for people with higher balances.

If you cannot meet the waiver requirements for a paid account, Chase also offers Chase Secure Checking, which has no monthly fee but requires a savings account and offers limited features. Some people also may have access to for Chase Student Checking (no monthly fee until age 25) or Chase Senior Checking (no monthly fee if you are 65 or older).

Before opening an account, think about which waiver you can realistically meet. If you get direct deposit, that is the easiest path. If you do not, a minimum balance or debit card transaction count is more achievable than a high balance requirement. Choosing the right account type upfront saves you from paying fees you could have avoided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Chase remove a fee that already posted to my account?

Yes, Chase customer service can remove fees as a one-time courtesy, though it is not may provide. Call the number on your card, explain the situation, and ask politely. You have a better chance if you have been a customer for a while or if this is your first request. Some representatives will remove one fee per year; others may decline.

Does setting up a Chase credit card waive my checking account fee?

Some Chase checking accounts waive the monthly fee if you have an active Chase credit card with automatic payments from that checking account. Check your specific account's terms online or call Chase to confirm whether this waiver applies to you.

What counts as direct deposit for fee waiver purposes?

Direct deposit includes paychecks, Social Security, pension payments, and regular electronic transfers from another bank. You typically need one deposit per month, though some accounts require a minimum amount like $500. The deposit must actually land in the account; scheduling it does not count.

If I link a savings account for overdraft protection, will I still pay a fee?

Yes, but it is smaller. Overdraft protection transfers money from your linked account to cover the overdraft, and Chase charges a transfer fee (usually $0 to $10) instead of the $35 overdraft fee. This saves you money and prevents the transaction from being declined.

Do I have to pay the foreign transaction fee when I use my debit card abroad?

Yes, Chase charges 3% of the transaction amount for foreign debit card purchases, and this fee cannot be waived. If you travel internationally, use a no-foreign-fee credit card instead. Most major credit card issuers offer cards with no foreign transaction fees.