Chase charges monthly fees on most checking and savings accounts, but you can avoid them

Yes, Chase Bank charges monthly service fees on most of its checking and savings accounts. The most common fee is $12 per month on Chase Total Checking, though some accounts charge $15 or have no monthly fee at all. The fee is waived if you meet one of Chase's requirements — usually maintaining a minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or using a debit card a certain number of times per month.

The specific fee and the ways to waive it depend on which account you have. Chase offers accounts with different fee structures, so the amount you pay (or don't pay) depends on your account type and how you use it.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Total Checking charges $12 per month, but the fee is waived if you maintain a $500 minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or use your debit card 10 times per month.
  • Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month and requires a higher minimum balance or direct deposit to waive the fee.
  • Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee and is available to students under 24 years old.
  • Savings accounts like Chase Savings also charge monthly fees ($5 to $25) that are waived by maintaining minimum balances or setting up transfers.
  • You can see your account's specific fee and waiver requirements in your account agreement or by calling Chase customer service.

Chase Total Checking: The most common account and its $12 monthly fee

Chase Total Checking is the standard checking account most people open at Chase. It charges $12 per month, but Chase waives this fee if you meet any one of these conditions: maintain a minimum balance of $500, set up direct deposit, or use your debit card 10 times per month.

The debit card requirement is the easiest for most people. Using your card 10 times in a month means making 10 separate transactions — a coffee, a gas station visit, a grocery store trip, and so on. Each counts as one transaction. If you use your card regularly, you will likely hit this number without trying.

If you do not meet any of these conditions, the $12 fee posts to your account on the first business day of each month. You can see the fee listed in your account activity as "Monthly Service Fee" or "Monthly Maintenance Fee."

Other Chase checking accounts and their fee structures

Chase offers several other checking accounts with different fees and waiver rules. Chase Premier Plus Checking charges $25 per month and is designed for customers who want premium features like higher interest rates and priority customer service. The fee is waived if you maintain a $25,000 minimum balance or set up direct deposit.

Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee and is open to students under 24 years old with a valid student ID. Once you turn 24 or are no longer a student, the account converts to Chase Total Checking, and the $12 monthly fee applies unless you meet one of the waiver conditions.

Chase find Checking is designed for people with limited banking history or credit issues. It charges $5 per month and is waived if you maintain a $500 minimum balance or set up direct deposit.

Chase savings accounts and their monthly fees

Chase savings accounts also charge monthly fees. Chase Savings charges $5 per month, waived by maintaining a $300 minimum balance or setting up a monthly transfer of at least $25 from another account. Chase Premier Savings charges $25 per month and requires a $25,000 minimum balance to waive the fee.

These fees are separate from your checking account fee. If you have both a checking and savings account, you could owe both fees unless you meet the waiver conditions for each account.

How to find out your specific account's fee

The easiest way to see your account's monthly fee is to log into Chase online or use the Chase mobile app. Go to your account details or account settings, and look for a section called "Account Features," "Pricing," or "Account Terms." This section lists your monthly fee and the exact conditions to waive it.

You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card or on your account statement. A representative can tell you your account type, your monthly fee, and which waiver option is easiest for you to meet. If you are not meeting any of the waiver conditions, they can also explain what you would need to do to avoid the fee going forward.

What happens if you do not waive the fee

If you do not meet any of the waiver conditions, the monthly fee is deducted from your account balance on the first business day of each month. Over a year, a $12 monthly fee adds up to $144. A $25 monthly fee adds up to $300.

The fee posts automatically — you do not have to do anything for it to be charged. If your account balance is very low, the fee could cause your account to go negative, which may trigger overdraft fees on top of the monthly service fee.

Ways to avoid monthly fees at Chase

The simplest way to avoid fees is to use your debit card 10 times per month on Chase Total Checking. This requires no minimum balance and no setup. Just use your card for everyday purchases.

If you prefer not to use your debit card that often, set up direct deposit. This is usually the easiest option if your employer offers it. Direct deposit means your paycheck goes straight into your Chase account. Once it is set up, the fee is waived every month automatically, with no action needed from you.

Maintaining a minimum balance works if you have the money available. For Chase Total Checking, you need $500. For Chase Savings, you need $300. As long as your balance stays at or above that amount, the fee is waived.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Chase charge me a monthly fee without warning?

No. Chase discloses all monthly fees in your account agreement, which you receive when you open the account. You can also see your account's fee structure in your online account settings or by calling customer service. The fee is not a surprise — it is part of your account terms from day one.

What if I do not meet any of the waiver conditions?

The monthly fee will be charged to your account on the first business day of each month. You can change your behavior to meet a waiver condition (like using your debit card 10 times), or you can switch to a different Chase account with a lower fee or no fee, such as Chase Student Checking if you are may be able to access.

Do I pay the monthly fee if my account is closed?

No. Once your account is closed, no further monthly fees are charged. However, if you close your account mid-month, you may still owe the fee for that month depending on when it posts.

Can I switch to a different Chase account to avoid fees?

Yes. You can contact Chase and ask to convert your account to a different type, such as Chase Student Checking if you may have access to, or Chase find Checking if you prefer a lower fee. Switching accounts is free and can be done online or by phone.

Are there any Chase accounts with no monthly fee?

Chase Student Checking has no monthly fee for students under 24. Some online banks offer no-fee checking, but those are not Chase accounts. At Chase branches, most accounts charge a monthly fee unless you meet a waiver condition.