Chase is the largest bank in America by deposits, with nearly 5,000 branches and 16,000+ ATMs nationwide — but that convenience comes with a fee structure that can cost you hundreds of dollars annually if you’re not careful. Here’s every fee Chase charges and exactly how to avoid them.
Chase’s standard checking account (Chase Total Checking) costs $12 per month unless you meet their waiver requirements. Their overdraft fees are among the highest in the industry at $35 each, and out-of-network ATM fees add up quickly at $3.50 per transaction. The good news: nearly every fee is avoidable with the right approach.
Chase Fees at a Glance
| Fee Type | Amount | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Maintenance Fee | $12/month | $1,500 balance OR $500 direct deposit |
| Overdraft Fee | $35/item | Opt out OR link savings |
| Non-Chase ATM Fee | $3.50/transaction | Use Chase ATMs only |
| Wire Transfer (Domestic) | $30 outgoing, $15 incoming | Use Zelle (free) |
| Wire Transfer (International) | $50 outgoing, $15 incoming | Use Wise or similar |
| Stop Payment | $30/request | Be careful with checks |
| Cashier’s Check | $8/check | N/A |
| Money Order | $5/order | Buy at USPS for $2.10 |
| Paper Statement | $0 | Free |
| Account Research | $25/hour | N/A |
| Early Account Closure | $25 | Keep account 90+ days |
Chase Monthly Maintenance Fees
Chase’s monthly fees vary by account type, with ways to waive each one. Understanding these requirements can save you $60 to $300 per year.
Chase Checking Account Fees
| Account | Monthly Fee | How to Waive |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $12 | $1,500 minimum daily balance OR $500+ monthly direct deposit OR $5,000+ across linked accounts |
| Chase Secure Banking | $4.95 | Cannot be waived |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | $25 | $15,000+ in linked accounts OR linked first mortgage |
| Chase Sapphire Banking | $25 | $75,000+ in linked accounts |
| Chase College Checking | $0 | Free for students 17-24 |
Total Checking is Chase’s most popular account. Most people waive the $12 fee through direct deposit — your paycheck, government benefits, or gig economy payments all qualify. You need $500 total per month, which can come from multiple small deposits.
Secure Banking is Chase’s second-chance checking for people with ChexSystems issues. The $4.95 fee can’t be waived, but there’s no overdraft capability.
Premier Plus and Sapphire are for high-balance customers who want perks like fee-free wire transfers and higher ATM limits.
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 linked to Chase College Checking |
| Chase Premier Savings | $25 | $15,000 minimum daily balance |
For most people, linking Chase Savings to Chase checking and setting up a $25 automatic transfer is the easiest path to fee-free savings. However, Chase’s savings interest rate (typically 0.01-0.02% APY) is so low that you’re better off at an online bank paying 4-5% APY.
Chase Overdraft Fees
Chase’s overdraft fees are among the highest in the industry, though they’ve introduced some consumer-friendly policies in recent years.
| Overdraft Detail | Policy |
|---|---|
| Fee per overdraft | $35 |
| Maximum daily fees | 3 ($105 total) |
| Grace period | Until end of next business day |
| Minimum overdraft to trigger fee | No minimum |
| 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 $35
- Grace period: You have until the end of the next business day to deposit enough to cover the negative balance and avoid the fee
- Daily limit: Chase charges a maximum of 3 overdraft fees per day
Avoiding Chase Overdraft Fees
The safest approach is to opt out of overdraft coverage entirely. Your debit card will simply decline if you don’t have sufficient funds — embarrassing but free. ATM withdrawals and one-time debit purchases won’t overdraft your account if you opt out.
Alternatively, link a Chase savings account for free automatic transfers when you overdraft. The money moves automatically and you pay nothing.
Chase ATM Fees
| ATM Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Chase ATM | $0 |
| Non-Chase ATM (US) | $3.50 |
| International ATM | $5.00 |
| Foreign currency ATM | $5.00 + 3% foreign transaction fee |
Finding Chase ATMs
Chase has over 16,000 ATMs nationwide, heavily concentrated in:
- California
- New York
- Texas
- Florida
- Illinois
- Arizona
In these states, finding a Chase ATM is rarely difficult. In states where Chase has minimal presence (like Montana or Vermont), accessing fee-free ATMs becomes challenging.
Pro tip: The Chase mobile app has an ATM locator — plan ahead when you need cash to avoid the $3.50 fee.
Chase Wire Transfer Fees
| Wire Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic outgoing | $30 |
| Domestic incoming | $15 |
| International outgoing | $50 |
| International incoming | $15 |
Wire transfer fees apply per transaction, whether you use online banking, the mobile app, or visit a branch. There’s no way to avoid them except using alternatives.
Wire Transfer Alternatives
For most situations, cheaper or free alternatives exist:
| Method | Cost | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zelle | Free | Instant | Person-to-person, up to daily limits |
| ACH transfer | Free | 1-3 business days | Regular transfers, bill payments |
| Venmo/PayPal | Free (from bank) | Instant with fee, 1-3 days free | Friends and family |
| Wise | 0.5-2% | 1-2 business days | International transfers |
Save wire transfers for situations that truly require them — like real estate closings where large sums need to arrive quickly and traceably.
Other Chase Fees
Account Service Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Stop payment | $30 |
| Cashier’s check | $8 |
| Money order | $5 |
| Counter check (temporary checks) | $3 per page (3 checks) |
| Notary service | Free for customers |
| Account research | $25/hour |
| Account statements (mail) | Free |
| Account statements (additional copies) | $5 |
Debit Card Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Debit card replacement | $5 (expedited: $25) |
| International debit purchases | 3% foreign transaction fee |
| Cash advances | N/A (debit cards don’t have cash advances) |
Miscellaneous Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Returned deposited item | $12 |
| Check collection | $35 |
| Legal processing | $125 |
| Garnishment/levy processing | $125 |
| Early account closure (within 90 days) | $25 |
How to Avoid Chase Fees: Complete Strategy
For the Typical Customer
- Set up direct deposit — This alone eliminates the $12 monthly fee
- Opt out of overdraft coverage — Your card will decline instead of costing $35
- Use only Chase ATMs — 16,000+ free ATMs nationwide
- Use Zelle instead of wires — Free instant transfers for most purposes
- Go paperless — Already free, but ensures you don’t accidentally get charged
For Low-Balance Customers
If you can’t meet the $500 direct deposit or $1,500 balance requirements:
- Consider Chase College Checking if you’re 17-24 (free)
- Consider Chase Secure Banking — $4.95/month but no overdraft risk
- Consider switching to Capital One 360 or Ally Bank — completely free
For High-Balance Customers
If you maintain $15,000+ at Chase:
- Upgrade to Premier Plus Checking — Includes free wire transfers, higher limits
- Link all accounts — Checking, savings, and CDs count toward balance requirements
- Consider Sapphire Banking at $75,000+ for platinum-level perks
Chase Fees vs. Competitors
| Fee Type | Chase | Bank of America | Capital One | Ally |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $12 | $12 | $0 | $0 |
| Overdraft | $35 | $10 | $0 | $0 |
| Out-of-network ATM | $3.50 | $2.50 | $0 | $0 |
| Wire (domestic out) | $30 | $30 | $30 | $20 |
Chase’s fees are at or above average for traditional banks, but well above online banks and Capital One, which have eliminated most fees entirely.
Is Chase Worth the Fees?
Chase makes sense if you:
- Value branch access (4,700+ 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