Understanding the monthly fees associated with your bank account is crucial for smart financial management. Nobody wants to be surprised by unexpected charges eating into their hard-earned money! Chase Bank, as one of the largest financial institutions, offers a variety of accounts, each with its own fee structure. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Chase Bank's monthly fees, and most importantly, how you can often avoid them entirely.
Ready to take control of your banking fees? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Identify Your Chase Account Type
The first and most important step to understanding your potential monthly fee is to know which type of Chase account you have. Chase offers several checking and savings accounts, and the fees vary significantly between them.
Sub-heading: Common Chase Checking Accounts and Their Monthly Fees:
Chase Total Checking®: This is one of Chase's most popular checking accounts.
Standard Monthly Fee: $12 (Note: This is set to increase to $15 effective August 24, 2025).
Chase Premier Plus Checking℠: Offers more benefits than Total Checking.
Standard Monthly Fee: $25
Chase Sapphire℠ Checking: A premium checking option with enhanced benefits.
Standard Monthly Fee: $25
Chase Private Client Checking℠: Designed for high-net-worth individuals.
Standard Monthly Fee: $35
Chase Secure Banking℠: A checking account with no overdraft fees.
Standard Monthly Fee: $4.95
Chase College Checking: Specifically for college students.
Standard Monthly Fee: $6 (waived for up to five years while in college).
Chase High School Checking: For high school students.
Standard Monthly Fee: $0 (No monthly fee).
Sub-heading: Common Chase Savings Accounts and Their Monthly Fees:
Chase Savings℠: The basic savings account.
Standard Monthly Fee: $5
Chase Premier Savings℠: A higher-tier savings account.
Standard Monthly Fee: $25
 |
| How Much Is The Monthly Fee For Chase Bank |
Step 2: Understand the Fee Waiver Requirements
Here's the good news: most Chase monthly fees can be waived if you meet certain criteria. This is where you can save a significant amount of money annually. The requirements typically involve maintaining a certain balance, setting up direct deposits, or linking other Chase accounts.
Sub-heading: Waiving Fees for Chase Checking Accounts:
Tip: Keep scrolling — each part adds context.
Chase Total Checking®: How to Avoid the $12 (or $15) Monthly Fee You can typically avoid this fee by meeting any one of the following conditions during each monthly statement period:
Direct Deposits: Have monthly direct deposits totaling $500 or more made to this account.
Minimum Daily Balance: Maintain a beginning daily balance of at least $1,500 in this account.
Combined Balance: Maintain an average beginning daily balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of qualifying linked Chase deposits/investments.
Qualifying Fees: Pay $25 or more in qualifying checking-related services or fees (though this defeats the purpose of avoiding fees).
Chase Premier Plus Checking℠: How to Avoid the $25 Monthly Fee To waive this fee, you usually need to meet any one of these criteria:
Combined Balance: Maintain an average beginning daily balance of at least $15,000 across this account and any linked qualifying Chase deposits/investments.
Linked Mortgage: Have a qualifying Chase first mortgage enrolled in automatic payments from your Chase account.
Military Service: Be a current U.S. Armed Forces member or veteran (with qualifying military ID).
Chase Sapphire℠ Checking: How to Avoid the $25 Monthly Fee This premium account's fee is typically waived if you meet this condition:
High Combined Balance: Maintain an average beginning daily balance of $75,000 or more in this account or in combination with eligible linked accounts.
Chase Private Client Checking℠: How to Avoid the $35 Monthly Fee To avoid this fee, you generally need to meet one of these:
Very High Combined Balance: Maintain an average beginning daily balance of $150,000 or more across linked Chase accounts.
Linked Business Checking: Link a Chase Platinum Business Checking℠ account.
Chase Secure Banking℠: How to Avoid the $4.95 Monthly Fee This fee can be waived by:
Electronic Deposits: Receiving at least $250 in monthly electronic deposits.
Chase College Checking: How to Avoid the $6 Monthly Fee This fee is easily waivable for students:
Student Status: The fee is $0 for up to 5 years while you are in college (up to age 24).
Direct Deposit: Receive at least one direct deposit into the account each statement cycle.
Average Daily Balance: Maintain an average daily balance of at least $5,000 in the account.
Sub-heading: Waiving Fees for Chase Savings Accounts:
Chase Savings℠: How to Avoid the $5 Monthly Fee You can typically waive this fee by meeting any one of the following:
Minimum Daily Balance: Maintain a beginning daily balance of at least $300 in this account.
Autosave Transfers: Have at least $25 of Autosave or repeating automatic transfers from your personal Chase checking account or Chase Liquid® Card.
Age: Be an account owner younger than 18 years old.
Linked Accounts: Have a Chase College Checking account linked for overdraft protection, or be linked to a Chase Premier Plus Checking account, Chase Sapphire Checking account, or Chase Private Client Checking account.
Chase Premier Savings℠: How to Avoid the $25 Monthly Fee To waive this fee, you generally need to meet any one of these conditions:
High Minimum Daily Balance: Maintain a beginning daily balance of at least $15,000.
Linked Premier Checking: Be linked to a Chase Premier Plus Checking account or Chase Sapphire Checking account.
Step 3: Explore Other Potential Fees (Beyond Monthly Maintenance)
While monthly maintenance fees are often the most talked about, it's important to be aware of other fees that Chase may charge for various services. These can add up if you're not careful.
Sub-heading: Transaction-Related Fees:
ATM Fees:
Non-Chase ATMs (U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands): $3 per withdrawal (plus any fee from the ATM owner).
Non-Chase ATMs (Outside U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands): $5 per withdrawal, and $2 for transfers or inquiries (plus any fee from the ATM owner).
Note: Certain premium accounts (like Chase Sapphire Checking) may have these fees waived or reimbursed.
Overdraft Fees:
Insufficient Funds/Returned Item Fee: $34 per item (maximum of 3 per day, totaling $102).
Chase Overdraft Assist℠: No fee if your account is overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day. If overdrawn by more than $50, you have until the end of the next business day (11 PM ET / 8 PM PT) to bring your balance to overdrawn by $50 or less to avoid the fee.
Extended Overdraft Fee: $15 charged once after your account is overdrawn for 5 consecutive business days.
Wire Transfer Fees:
Incoming Domestic/International: $15 ($0 if sent from a Chase account).
Outgoing Domestic (with banker assistance): $35
Outgoing Domestic (online/app): $25
Outgoing International (with banker assistance): $50 (regardless of currency)
Outgoing International (online/app, USD): $40
Outgoing International (online/app, foreign currency): $0 if transfer is $5,000+, $5 if less than $5,000.
Foreign Transaction Fees:
Most Debit Cards and some Credit Cards: 3% of the transaction amount.
Note: Many Chase credit cards (e.g., Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve) have no foreign transaction fees. Check your specific card's terms.
Stop Payment: $30 per request (or $25 online/automated phone system).
Cashier's Check: $10 per check.
Money Order: $5 per check.
Deposited Item Returned Fee: $12 for each item you deposit or cash that is returned unpaid.
Step 4: Strategize for Fee Avoidance
Now that you know the fees and waiver requirements, it's time to put a plan into action to avoid them.
Sub-heading: Practical Tips for Keeping Your Money Where It Belongs:
Set up Direct Deposit: This is often the easiest and most consistent way to waive checking account fees. Even if you don't meet the minimum balance, a regular direct deposit can save you money.
Maintain Minimum Balances: If you have sufficient funds, keeping the required minimum daily or average daily balance is a straightforward way to avoid fees. Be diligent about monitoring your balance, especially if it fluctuates.
Link Accounts: Leverage your relationship with Chase! If you have multiple accounts (checking, savings, investments, mortgage), linking them can help you meet combined balance requirements for fee waivers on higher-tier accounts.
Utilize Online/Mobile Banking: Many fees (like certain wire transfers or stop payments) are reduced or waived if you conduct transactions online or via the Chase mobile app. Plus, mobile alerts can help you stay on top of your balance to avoid overdrafts.
Consider Student or Military Accounts: If you qualify, these specialized accounts offer significant fee benefits. Always inquire about these if applicable to your situation.
Opt for Overdraft Protection: Link a Chase savings account to your checking account for overdraft protection. This can prevent overdraft fees by automatically transferring funds to cover transactions, often with no transfer fee.
Choose the Right Credit Card for Travel: If you travel internationally, ensure your Chase credit card has no foreign transaction fees. This can save you 3% on every purchase abroad.
Review Your Statements Regularly: Don't just glance at your statement. Actively review it for any unexpected fees or charges. If you see something unusual, contact Chase immediately.
Communicate with Chase: If you accidentally incur a fee, especially if it's a rare occurrence for you, don't hesitate to call Chase customer service. Sometimes, they may offer a one-time waiver as a goodwill gesture for loyal customers.
QuickTip: Compare this post with what you already know.
Step 5: Regularly Re-evaluate Your Banking Needs
Life changes, and so do your banking needs. What worked for you financially a year ago might not be the best fit today.
Sub-heading: Staying Ahead of the Curve:
Assess Your Account Usage: Are you consistently meeting the waiver requirements? If not, consider if a different Chase account, or even a different bank altogether, might be a better fit.
Monitor Fee Changes: Banks can and do adjust their fee structures. Stay informed by reviewing communications from Chase. For instance, the Chase Total Checking fee is increasing soon, so be aware of such changes.
Explore Alternatives: If you find yourself frequently paying fees despite your best efforts, it might be time to research online-only banks or local credit unions, which often have fewer fees or easier waiver requirements.
By following these steps, you can confidently navigate Chase Bank's fee structure and keep more of your money where it belongs – in your pocket!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Chase Bank fees, starting with "How to," along with their quick answers:
How to avoid the Chase Total Checking monthly fee?
You can avoid the Chase Total Checking monthly fee ($12, soon to be $15) by having monthly direct deposits of $500+, maintaining a $1,500 minimum daily balance, or keeping a $5,000 average beginning daily balance across linked Chase accounts.
How to avoid the Chase Savings account monthly fee?
QuickTip: Revisit this post tomorrow — it’ll feel new.
The Chase Savings ($5) monthly fee can be avoided by maintaining a $300 minimum daily balance, having $25+ in monthly Autosave transfers, being under 18, or linking a qualifying Chase checking account.
How to avoid Chase ATM fees?
You can avoid Chase ATM fees by using Chase-branded ATMs. For non-Chase ATMs, premium accounts like Chase Sapphire Checking waive or reimburse these fees. Otherwise, most accounts charge $3 for domestic non-Chase ATM withdrawals and $5 for international ones (plus ATM owner fees).
How to avoid Chase overdraft fees?
To avoid Chase overdraft fees ($34), keep a buffer in your account, enroll in Chase Overdraft Assist℠ (which waives fees if you're overdrawn by $50 or less, or you bring it to that level by the next business day), or link a Chase savings account for overdraft protection. You can also opt for Chase Secure Banking, which has no overdraft fees.
How to avoid Chase wire transfer fees?
You can often reduce or avoid Chase wire transfer fees by initiating transfers online or through the mobile app (cheaper than banker assistance) or, for international transfers in foreign currency, ensuring the amount is $5,000 or more to get a $0 fee. Incoming wires from other Chase accounts are also $0.
How to avoid Chase foreign transaction fees?
To avoid Chase foreign transaction fees (typically 3%), use a Chase credit card that specifically offers no foreign transaction fees (e.g., Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve) when making international purchases or transactions in foreign currency.
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
How to get a Chase credit card annual fee waived?
While not guaranteed, you can sometimes get a Chase credit card annual fee waived (especially for premium cards) by calling customer service and requesting a retention offer or explaining how you're not getting enough value. Military members may also qualify for fee waivers under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
How to check your Chase account balance to avoid fees?
You can check your Chase account balance through the Chase mobile app, online banking on chase.com, at any Chase ATM, or by calling Chase customer service. Regularly checking helps ensure you meet minimum balance requirements for fee waivers.
How to close a Chase account without fees?
Generally, there are no fees for closing a Chase checking or savings account. However, ensure all outstanding transactions have cleared and consider transferring funds out before initiating the closure to avoid any unforeseen issues.
How to contact Chase customer service for fee inquiries?
You can contact Chase customer service for fee inquiries by calling their personal banking line at 1-800-935-9935. You can also use their online chat feature or visit a local Chase branch.
 |
💡 This page may contain affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
