Chase is the largest bank in America by assets, with about 5,000 branches and more than 14,000 ATMs nationwide — but that convenience comes with a fee structure that can cost you hundreds of dollars annually if you’re not careful. Here are the main fees Chase charges and how to avoid them.
Chase’s standard checking account (Chase Total Checking) costs $15 per month unless you meet their waiver requirements. Overdraft fees are $34 per transaction (up to 3 a day), and a withdrawal at a non-Chase ATM in the U.S. costs $3, plus any fee the ATM owner charges. The good news: the fees that add up most, the monthly fee, overdrafts and out-of-network ATM charges, can each be avoided with the right approach.
Chase Fees at a Glance
| Fee Type | Amount | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Maintenance Fee | $15/month | $500+ qualifying electronic deposits OR $1,500 beginning-of-day balance (or other waivers below) |
| Overdraft Fee | $34/item | Leave Debit Card Coverage off AND link savings as Overdraft Protection |
| Non-Chase ATM Fee | $3.00/transaction | Use Chase ATMs only |
| Wire Transfer (Domestic) | $25 online/$35 banker-assisted outgoing, $15 incoming ($0 if originally sent from Chase) | Use Zelle (free) |
| Wire Transfer (International) | $40 online (USD) or $50 banker-assisted outgoing, $15 incoming | Use Wise or similar |
| Stop Payment | $30/request ($25 online on a check) | Be careful with checks |
| Cashier’s Check | $10/check | Free with Secure Banking or Premier Plus Checking |
| Money Order | $5/order | Buy at USPS for $2.65 (up to $500) |
Chase Monthly Maintenance Fees
Chase’s monthly fees vary by account type, with ways to waive each one. Chase’s checking and savings fees run from $5 to $25 a month, so these requirements can be worth roughly $60 to $300 a year.
Chase Checking Account Fees
| Account | Monthly Fee | How to Waive |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $15 | $500+ qualifying electronic deposits per statement period OR $1,500+ balance at the beginning of each day OR $5,000+ average beginning day balance with linked qualifying deposits/investments OR link to a qualifying checking account |
| Chase Secure Banking | $4.95 | $250+ qualifying electronic deposits OR account owner age 17-24 OR link to a qualifying checking account |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | $25 | $15,000+ average beginning day balance (this account plus linked deposits and investments) OR link to a qualifying checking account OR a linked Chase first mortgage on automatic payments from Chase OR current servicemember/veteran |
| Chase Sapphire Banking (closed to new accounts) | $25 | $75,000+ average beginning day balance, or a linked qualifying checking account |
| Chase College Checking (closed to new accounts) | $0 or $15 | $0 up to the expected graduation date (five years maximum), or $500+ qualifying electronic deposits, or $1,500+ average ending day balance, or a link to a qualifying checking account |
Total Checking is Chase’s most popular account. The easiest waiver for many people is $500+ in qualifying electronic deposits per statement period — payments from an employer or government entity (benefits, tax refunds) sent by ACH, RTP or FedNow count; Zelle, cash, checks and wires don’t. You need $500 or more in qualifying electronic deposits during each monthly statement period, which can come from more than one deposit.
Secure Banking is Chase’s no-overdraft checking account with no minimum deposit. The $4.95 fee can be waived (see the table above), and there’s no overdraft capability.
Premier Plus (and Sapphire Checking, no longer for sale) are for higher-balance customers. Premier Plus also lists no fee on money orders and cashier’s checks, and its wire fees follow the standard schedule above unless you qualify for the military-pay benefit.
Chase Savings Account Fees
| Account | Monthly Fee | How to Waive |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Savings | $5 | $300 minimum daily balance OR $25 automatic monthly transfer from Chase checking OR account owner under 25 OR linked to a qualifying checking account |
| Chase Premier Savings | $25 | $15,000+ balance at the beginning of each day OR link to a qualifying checking account |
For most people, setting up a $25 automatic monthly transfer from Chase checking is the easiest path to fee-free savings. However, Chase Savings pays little interest, so keep larger balances in a high-yield savings account at an online bank (compare current rates).
Chase Overdraft Fees
Chase charges a $34 overdraft fee, though it has introduced some consumer-friendly policies in recent years, such as no fee when you’re overdrawn by $50 or less.
| Overdraft Detail | Policy |
|---|---|
| Fee per overdraft | $34 |
| Maximum daily fees | 3 ($102 total) |
| Grace period | Until end of next business day |
| Minimum overdraft to trigger fee | $50 (no fee if overdrawn by $50 or less at end of business day) |
| Overdraft Protection transfer | Free from Chase savings |
How Chase Overdraft Works
When you overdraft your Chase account:
- If you have Overdraft Protection linked: Chase automatically transfers money from your savings account at no charge
- Without Overdraft Protection: Chase may cover the transaction and charge $34 — but only if your account balance is overdrawn by more than $50 at the end of Chase’s nightly processing; no fee applies if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less
- Grace period: With Chase Overdraft Assist, you have until 11 PM ET (8 PM PT) the next business day to bring your balance to overdrawn by $50 or less and avoid the fee
- Daily limit: Chase charges a maximum of 3 overdraft fees per day
Avoiding Chase Overdraft Fees
The simplest way to avoid most overdraft fees is to leave Chase Debit Card Coverage off — it is opt-in, so everyday debit card purchases are declined instead of overdrawing. Checks, automatic payments and recurring debit card purchases can still be paid into overdraft under the Standard Overdraft Practice that comes with most Chase checking accounts. Without Debit Card Coverage, an everyday debit card purchase you can’t cover simply declines — embarrassing but free. Everyday debit card purchases are declined, with no fee, if you choose No for Chase Debit Card Coverage, and declined ATM withdrawals carry no fee either.
Alternatively, link a Chase savings account for free automatic transfers when you overdraft. The money moves automatically with no transfer fee, as long as the savings account has enough to cover the overdraft.
Chase ATM Fees
| ATM Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Chase ATM | $0 |
| Non-Chase ATM (US) | $3.00 |
| International ATM | $5.00 |
| Foreign currency ATM (outside the U.S.) | $5.00, plus a 3% foreign exchange rate adjustment on the converted amount |
Finding Chase ATMs
Chase says it has more than 14,000 ATMs and 5,000 branches. Before you rely on one, use the Chase ATM and branch locator to see what is near you.
Pro tip: Chase’s ATM and branch locator (chase.com/locator) shows where the nearest Chase ATM is — plan ahead when you need cash to avoid the $3.00 fee, which is charged on top of any surcharge from the ATM owner. For daily withdrawal caps and how to request a temporary increase, see the Chase ATM withdrawal limit guide.
Chase Wire Transfer Fees
These are the fees in Chase’s Additional Banking Services and Fees schedule for personal accounts (effective June 14, 2026), as shown on Chase’s Total Checking fee page:
| Wire Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic outgoing (online/chase.com or app) | $25 |
| Domestic outgoing (banker-assisted) | $35 |
| Domestic or international incoming | $15, or $0 if the wire was originally sent with the help of a Chase banker or using chase.com/Chase Mobile |
| International outgoing, USD or foreign currency (banker-assisted) | $50 |
| International outgoing, USD (online/chase.com or app) | $40 |
| International outgoing, foreign currency (online/chase.com or app) | $5, or $0 if the transfer amount is $5,000 USD or more |
Wire fees apply per transfer, and the amount depends on how you send it: online or in the Chase app costs less than a banker-assisted wire. Chase Private Client Checking and Sapphire Checking (no longer for sale) don’t charge them, and incoming wires can be free as shown above; otherwise the main way around them is an alternative. Note the international online-in-foreign-currency option is unusually cheap — free for transfers of $5,000 or more — though an exchange-rate spread applies to any wire sent or received in a foreign currency.
Wire Transfer Alternatives
For most situations, cheaper or free alternatives exist:
| Method | Cost | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zelle | No Chase fee | Usually minutes if the recipient is enrolled | Person-to-person, up to daily limits |
| ACH transfer | No Chase fee | Typically 2-3 business days | Regular transfers, bill payments |
| Venmo | Free from a bank account, debit card or balance (3% from a credit card) | Standard cash-out 1-3 business days free; Instant Transfer costs 1.75% (min. $0.25, max. $25) | Friends and family |
| Wise | Varies by currency and amount, shown upfront before you send | Varies by route | International transfers |
Save wire transfers for situations that truly require them — like real estate closings where large sums need to arrive quickly and traceably. For the full daily and monthly limits on Zelle, ACH, and wire transfers, see the Chase transfer limit guide.
Other Chase Fees
Account Service Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Stop payment | $30 with a banker, $25 online or by automated phone |
| Cashier’s check | $10 |
| Money order | $5 |
| Counter check (temporary checks) | $3 per page (3 checks) |
Debit Card Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Debit card replacement, rush shipping | $15 per card (standard shipping avoids the fee) |
| International debit purchases | 3% foreign transaction fee |
| Non-ATM cash (debit card cash withdrawal at another bank, not an ATM) | 3% of the amount or $5, whichever is greater |
Miscellaneous Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Legal processing (garnishment, tax levy or other court order) | Up to $100 per order |
How to Avoid Chase Fees: Complete Strategy
For the Typical Customer
- Set up direct deposit — $500 or more a month in qualifying electronic deposits waives the $15 monthly fee
- Leave Debit Card Coverage off — Everyday debit card purchases decline instead of costing $34 (checks and automatic payments can still overdraw)
- Use only Chase ATMs — 14,000+ free ATMs nationwide
- Use Zelle instead of wires — No Chase fee, and money usually arrives within minutes
For Low-Balance Customers
If you can’t meet the $500 direct deposit or $1,500 balance requirements:
- Consider Chase Secure Banking — $4.95/month (waivable) and no overdraft fees
- Consider switching to Capital One 360 or Ally Bank — neither charges a monthly fee or overdraft fees
For High-Balance Customers
If you maintain $15,000+ at Chase:
- Upgrade to Premier Plus Checking — Premier Plus has its own fee schedule; compare its fees before upgrading
- Link your accounts — balances in linked Chase checking, savings, and CDs can count toward the average-balance waiver option
Chase Fees vs. Competitors
| Fee Type | Chase | Bank of America | Capital One | Ally |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee (Total Checking / Advantage Plus, before waivers) | $15 | $12 | $0 | $0 |
| Overdraft | $34 | $10 | $0 | $0 |
| Out-of-network ATM (U.S.), bank’s own fee | $3 | $2.50 | $0 | $0 |
| Wire (domestic out) | $25–$35 | $30 | $30 | $20 |
In this table, Chase’s monthly, overdraft and out-of-network ATM fees are higher than Bank of America’s, and Capital One and Ally list $0 for all three. Outgoing wires cost $20 to $35 at all four.
Is Chase Worth the Fees?
Chase makes sense if you:
- Value branch access (about 5,000 locations)
- Can meet fee waiver requirements easily
- Want integration with Chase credit cards
- Need business banking alongside personal accounts
Consider alternatives if you:
- Struggle to maintain $1,500 balance
- Frequently overdraft
- Live far from Chase branches/ATMs
- Prioritize earning interest on deposits
For a full overview of Chase accounts, limits, and contact information, see the Chase complete guide.
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