Updated September 3, 2023

How to Avoid Chase Monthly Service Fee

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Chase Bank's monthly service fees can really add up if you're not keeping track. Here's how you can avoid each fee.

Let's cut straight to the chase—pun intended. You're considering opening a Chase account, but that pesky monthly fee has got you on the fence.

Luckily, Chase gives you multiple ways to get that fee out of the picture. It's actually quite easy to waive the fee for their basic accounts, so you can enjoy all the perks without the monthly pinch.

What Is a Monthly Service Fee?

Chase, and most banks, charge a monthly service fee to cover the cost of account maintenance and amenities provided to account holders. These amenities can include free ATM access, overdraft protection programs, and more.

However, many banks agree to waive their fee if you maintain a minimum balance or regular deposits.

This is because they collect interest based on how much is in your account. If you're able to maintain a minimum balance, they'll make more money charging interest on that balance than they would from a flat-rate service fee.

Monthly service fees vary from bank to bank, as do the requirements that allow account holders to avoid the fees. If you're looking to open a checking or savings account, consider how much you'll be charged in monthly fees and weigh that against the benefits you'll receive.

Chase Checking Account Fees

JPMorgan Chase & Co., one of the largest banks in the U.S, is among those that charge monthly fees on its checking accounts. The fees depend on the type of checking account.

Chase Savings Account Fees

Chase Bank also charges a monthly fee for its savings accounts:

The main difference between the two accounts is that Chase Premier SavingsSM Account users can earn higher interest rates.

How to Avoid Chase Monthly Service Fees

Chase Bank account holders have several ways to avoid Chase monthly services fees, depending on the type of account they have.

How to Waive Chase Checking Service Fees

Chase Total Checking®
Waive the $12 monthly service fee if you do one of the following:

  • Have $500 or more in monthly direct deposits,
  • Have at least a $1,500 balance at the beginning of each day, or
  • Have an average of $5,000 in daily combined balances in qualifying Chase checking and savings accounts.

Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM
Waive the $25 monthly service fee if you meet one of these conditions:

  • Have an average of $15,000 in daily combined balances in qualifying Chase checking and savings accounts, or
  • Link a Chase first mortgage to your account for automatic payments, or
  • Current members or veterans of the US military with qualifying ID.

Chase College CheckingSM
There is no monthly service fee while in school up to the graduation date provided at account opening (five years maximum) for students 17-24 years old. After the expected graduation date, you can waive the $12 monthly service fee if you meet one of the following conditions each statement period:

  • Have electronic deposits made into this account totaling $500 or more, such as payments from payroll providers or government benefit providers, by using (i) the ACH network, (ii) the Real Time Payment or FedNow network, or (iii) third party services that facilitate payment to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network
  • Keep an average ending day balance of $1,500 or more in your checking account.

Chase SapphireSM Checking
Waive the $25 monthly service fee if you:

  • Have an average beginning day balance of at least $75,000 in any combination of this and other qualifying Chase checking and savings accounts.

Chase Private Client CheckingSM
Waive the $35 monthly service if you:

  • Have an average beginning day balance of at least $150,000 in any combination of this and other qualifying Chase checking and savings accounts, or
  • Link a Chase Platinum Business CheckingSM account.

Chase Secure BankingSM
The $4.95 monthly fee cannot be waived. This is meant to be a second chance account that gives you access to banking services while you build up positive banking history.

How to Waive Chase Savings Service Fees

Chase SavingsSM
Waive the $5 monthly fee if you meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum daily balance of at least $300.
  • $25 automatic monthly transfers from their Chase checking account.
  • Link a Chase College CheckingSM account for Overdraft Protection
  • Link a savings account to a Chase SapphireSM Checking account, Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM account, or Chase Private Client CheckingSM account.
  • Younger than 18 (Chase will automatically begin charging its monthly service fee when the account holder turns 18).

Chase Premier SavingsSM
Waive the $25 monthly service fee if you meet either of the following:

  • Maintain a $15,000 minimum daily balance, OR
  • Link your savings account to a Chase SapphireSM Checking account or Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM account.

Keep in mind that Chase doesn't offer the best savings rates. Want to grow your savings faster? Check out these top savings account options with no monthly fee.

Compare Savings Account Offers

How to Avoid Chase Overdraft Fees

Chase charges an insufficient funds fee and returned item fee of $34 per incident, with a maximum of three items per day, for a daily total maximum of $102.

But Chase offers several ways to avoid the overdraft fee.

Chase Bank has two forms of overdraft fees:

  • Insufficient Funds Fee ($34): When Chase Bank pays for an item if your account does not have enough money to cover the cost.
  • Returned Item Fee ($34): When Chase Bank returns an item presented for payment, but your account doesn't have enough funds to cover it.

  • Chase Overdraft AssistSM - $0 overdraft fees if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day.
    If you're overdrawn by more than $50, there's no fee if you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day.

    This automatically comes with all checking accounts except for Chase First CheckingSM, Chase High School CheckingSM or Chase Secure CheckingSM.

  • Enroll in Overdraft Protection - Link your checking account to a Chase savings account for backup, and Chase will automatically transfer funds from your savings to cover any transaction where additional money is needed.

    Keep in mind that you're only allowed six withdrawals per month from your savings for overdraft protection. After that, you incur a $5 savings withdrawal limit fee.

    And, if you don't have enough funds in your savings account to cover the cost, you'll be charged the overdraft fee.

  • Turn off Debit Card Coverage - Chase will simply decline transactions where you don't have enough money in the account.

  • Chase SapphireSM Checking and Chase Private ClientSM customers get fees waived for the first four overdrafts per year.

Of course, the easiest way to avoid an overdraft fee is to make sure your account has enough funds to cover any purchases you make.

How to Avoid Chase ATM Fees

Chase has over 15,000 Chase ATMs nationwide. As long as you stick with a Chase ATM, you won't be charged a withdrawal fee.

Otherwise, Chase's fees for non-Chase ATMs are:

  • $3 fee per withdrawal at a non-Chase ATM in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Surcharge Fees from the ATM owner/network still apply.
  • $5 fee per withdrawal at a non-Chase ATM outside of the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Surcharge Fees from the ATM owner/network still apply.
  • 3% of the amount for international ATM withdrawals

If you have a Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM account, you get up to four non-Chase ATM fees waived per month. And Chase SapphireSM Checking and Chase Private ClientSM account holders enjoy no ATM fees worldwide.

Is Chase a Good Bank?

Chase Bank is a good bank if you're looking for accessibility, full range of services, and solid reputation. Banking with a well-established institution offers security and convenience, which many people like.

The monthly fee for its everyday Chase Total Checking account is easy to waive with a modest $500 in direct deposits every month.

By opening a Chase account, you gain:

  • Convenience: 4,700+ branches & 15,000+ ATMs nationwide.
  • Top-rated mobile banking: Pay bills, transfer money, deposit checks, and more—all from your smartphone.
  • Excellent customer support: Chase ranks high in banking customer satisfaction.

The main downside is that the savings interest rate is low. But you can work around that by also using an online savings account with higher APYs.

As the cherry on top, Chase even offers a cash bonus promotion for new customers. Just click on the links below to claim your bonus.

Which Banks Don't Charge Monthly Fees

Rather not worry about maintaining a certain balance or meeting other requirements? Here are banks that don't charge monthly service fees at all.

Credit unions usually have lower or zero fees on their accounts and are viewed as more "consumer-friendly." That's because credit unions prioritize their members' best interests instead of shareholder profits.

If you're looking to stay with a typical bank and want to cut monthly service fees altogether, learn which banks offer free checking accounts to find the best option for you.

Is there a fee for closing a Chase bank account? Chase Bank usually does not charge a fee for closing its accounts. Here's how to close your Chase account.

Bottom Line

Monthly fees might be limiting, but with the right bank, they don't need to be a deal breaker. Like most traditional banks, Chase has monthly service fees (ranging from $5 to $25), but there are flexible options to sidestep them.

By maintaining a minimum balance, scheduling direct deposits, or meeting other criteria, you can waive Chase's monthly fees and get the most out of your account.

Chase
Member FDIC

Chase Total Checking® - $300 Bonus

Expires 4/17/2024
  • New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities
  • Access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
  • Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
  • JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
  • Open your account online now
  • Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
  • Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fees if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*
Bank of America
Member FDIC

Bank of America Advantage Banking - $200 Bonus Offer

Expires 5/31/2024
  • The $200 bonus offer is an online only offer and must be opened through the Bank of America promotional page.
  • The offer is for new checking customers only.
  • Offer expires 5/31/2024.
  • To qualify, open a Bank of America Advantage Banking account through the promotional page and set up and receive qualifying direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more into that new account within 90 days of opening.
  • Bank of America will attempt to pay bonus within 60 days.
  • Additional terms and conditions apply. See offer page for more details.
  • Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.
TD Bank
Member FDIC

TD Beyond Checking - $300 Cash Bonus

  • New customers who apply online for a TD Beyond Checking account can earn a $300 cash bonus after receiving direct deposits of $2,500 or more within 60 days. To qualify for this offer, you must be a U.S. resident and apply for the offer online. Offer is available in these states: CT, DC, DE, FL, MD, ME, MA, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VT, VA
  • Three ways to go monthly maintenance fee-free: Monthly Maintenance fee waived when you set up direct deposits of $5,000 or more within a statement cycle, maintain a $2,500 minimum daily balance, or have a $25,000 combined balance across eligible TD accounts.
  • ATM perks: TD fees waived at any ATM and non-TD fees reimbursed when you keep at least a $2,500 daily balance
  • A little extra time. A lot of extra relief: Avoid fees with Grace Period, which gives you until 11 PM ET the next business day to fix an overdraft. Make sure your available balance is at least $0 by depositing enough to cover the overdrawn balance plus any additional transactions and TD will refund the overdraft fee to your checking account.
  • Fast and secure payments: TD Bank debit cards are backed by the Zero Liability guarantee and 24/7 fraud monitoring
  • Convenient locations with the longest hours around: We have over 1,100 locations from Maine to Florida that's open early, late, and weekends.
  • Get reimbursed for fees including two overdraft fees per year, all Rush Bill Payments, and one outgoing wire per statement cycle (domestic or international).
  • Additional TD Bank checking account perks worth talking about: Get 24/7 access to all your TD accounts with Online & Mobile Banking, plus Bill Pay, Send Money with Zelle®, Mobile Deposit and Online Statements.
Discover Bank
Member FDIC

Online Savings Account - Earn 4.25% APY

  • No fees
  • No minimum opening deposit
  • No minimum balance required
CIT Bank
Member FDIC

CIT Bank Platinum Savings - 5.05% APY

  • 5.05% APY with a balance of $5,000 or more
  • 0.25% APY with a balance of less than $5,000
  • $100 minimum opening deposit
  • No monthly maintenance fee
  • Member FDIC

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Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

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About CreditDonkey
CreditDonkey is a bank comparison website. We publish data-driven analysis to help you save money & make savvy decisions.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

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CreditDonkey does not know your individual circumstances and provides information for general educational purposes only. CreditDonkey is not a substitute for, and should not be used as, professional legal, credit or financial advice. You should consult your own professional advisors for such advice.

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