Chase checking accounts

Chase — America’s largest bank — offers a wide range of accounts and services. Customers have access to the country’s largest branch network and over 15,000 ATMs nationwide.

The bank stands out for its highly rated mobile app and features that meet the needs of its digitally savvy clientele. In Bankrate’s latest review of its deposit products, Chase’s checking accounts received a higher score than the rest of its account offerings for consumers, with 3.8 out of 5 stars for its checking accounts. The bank’s overall score is 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Chase checking accounts

In addition to its business accounts and private client banking, Chase offers several consumer checking options.

Customers who open a Chase Total Checking account pay a lower monthly fee than on other Chase checking accounts, though with fewer benefits than the other checking account options. The monthly fee is waived when the account meets certain criteria, such as a monthly direct deposit of at least $500.

Premier Plus account holders have a higher monthly maintenance fee but can use out-of-network ATMs four times per statement period without getting hit with a fee from the bank (although there could be a fee from the ATM owner or network). Like the Total Checking account, the monthly fee can be waived when the account meets certain criteria. The account also earns interest.

With a Sapphire checking account, you’ll earn interest, pay no fee for using a non-Chase ATM and have access to a 24/7 customer service line. The monthly fee can be waived, but the minimum balance requirement is much steeper than the Total Checking and Premier Plus accounts.

Chase also offers Secure Checking, geared toward consumers outside of the traditional banking system who don’t require checks and want an account that charges no overdraft fees.

In addition to its standard consumer checking accounts, Chase offers a high school checking option for students ages 13-17 and a college checking option for those 17-24. The high school checking option has no monthly fee, while the college checking option has no monthly fee for up to five years, after which a $6 monthly fee goes into effect.

Chase checking account fees

Monthly fees

Most of Chase’s consumer checking accounts have monthly fees, but they’re fairly easy to waive. With the Total Checking account, for example, there’s a $12 monthly service fee that can be waived by having:

• Monthly direct deposits that total at least $500
• A beginning daily account balance of at least $1,500
• An average beginning day balance of at least $5,000 combined with any qualifying linked accounts

For the Chase Premier Plus Checking accounts, the monthly fee can be waived by either having an average beginning day balance of $15,000 or linking a qualifying Chase first mortgage with automatic payments from the account. The monthly fee is also waived for military members. For Chase Sapphire Checking, the monthly fee can be avoided by maintaining an average beginning day balance of $75,000 or more in the account or in combination with eligible linked accounts.

ATM fees

The ATM fee for using a non-Chase ATM in the U.S is $3 per transaction. For international withdrawals, the fee is $5, and for international transfers or inquiries, the ATM fee is $3. Premier Plus Checking customers get four ATM fees charged by Chase for non-Chase Bank ATMs waived per month. Sapphire Checking customers pay no fees for ATM use worldwide, including non-Chase ATMs.

Chase charges a $34 overdraft fee per item, which is higher than the national average of $26.61 in 2023. As long as your account isn’t overdrafted by more than $50, you aren’t charged a fee.

At most, customers can get hit with three overdraft fees per day.

Chase’s Secure Checking account charges no overdraft fees, since overdraft services are not available for this account and will be declined. This account also has early direct deposit. The only fee Secure Checking account holders are responsible for paying is a monthly fee of $4.95.

Other fees

Other fees may apply in certain cases:

• Domestic outgoing wire transfer: $35
• Incoming wire transfer: $15
• Incoming wire transfer made online, through the Chase mobile app or with the help of a Chase banker: $0
• Stop payment: $30
• Cashier’s check: $10 per check
• Money order: $5 per check

All of the above fees are waived for Sapphire Checking customers. Premier Plus Checking customers get the cashier’s check and money order fee waived, and, if they’re also active duty or reserve military members, don’t pay fees for incoming and outgoing wire transfers.

Chase checking account promotions and bonuses

Chase is one of several banks that frequently offers cash bonuses to new deposit account holders. The bank currently offers a checking account bonus for new customers who open a Chase Total Checking account up until July 24.

Accounts opened online or in a branch are eligible. To qualify, open a new Chase Total Checking account using a coupon code, which can be emailed or applied directly through the Chase site, and then set up direct deposits totaling at least $500 within 90 days. The bonus should arrive within 15 days of meeting these requirements.

Customers who’ve had a Chase checking account within the past 90 days or had an account closed with a negative balance within the past three years are ineligible. The bank limits customers to one bonus per account, and customers can only earn a bonus for opening a new account once every two years from the sign-up date.

Alternatives to Chase checking accounts

Consumers questioning whether Chase is the right bank for them have many options. Other big banks offer similar accounts.

You might be better off going with an online or challenger bank, if a higher yield is more important to you than access to branches.  Some of the best interest checking accounts earn more than 1 percent APY.

A credit union could also be worth considering if you meet membership requirements.