How to Avoid Chase Bank's Monthly Service Fees

Chase charges a monthly fee on most checking accounts, but you can eliminate it by meeting one straightforward requirement

Chase's standard checking accounts charge a $12 monthly service fee, though the exact amount varies by account type. You avoid this fee entirely by maintaining a minimum daily balance or setting up direct deposit. The balance threshold and direct deposit amount depend on which Chase checking account you hold. Most people find one of these two paths easier than paying the fee month after month.

The fee hits your account automatically on the same day each month unless you meet the waiver condition before that date. Once you stop meeting the requirement, the fee resumes the following month. Chase does not retroactively remove fees you have already paid, so the goal is to prevent them from charging in the first place.

Key Takeaways

• Chase's $12 monthly fee on most checking accounts can be waived by maintaining a minimum daily balance or setting up direct deposit, depending on your account type.
• The balance requirement ranges from $500 to $1,500 depending on whether you hold a Chase Total Checking, Chase find Checking, or another account type.
• Direct deposit amounts that waive the fee vary by account—some require $500 per month, others $250, and some have no minimum.
• The fee charges on a set day each month, so you must meet the waiver condition before that date to stop it.
• If you have already paid the fee, you can contact Chase to request a one-time reversal, though they are not required to grant it.

Minimum Daily Balance Requirements by Account Type

Chase Total Checking, the most common account, waives the $12 fee if you keep a $500 minimum daily balance. This means your account balance must not drop below $500 on any single day of the month. If your balance falls to $499 on even one day, the fee charges. The balance is checked daily, so a temporary dip—such as a large purchase that clears before your paycheck arrives—can trigger the fee.

Chase find Checking, designed for people building or rebuilding credit, requires a $300 minimum daily balance to waive the fee. This account also charges a lower monthly fee ($4) if you do not meet the balance requirement, compared to the standard $12.

Chase Premier Plus Checking, a higher-tier account, waives the fee with a $1,500 minimum daily balance. This account includes additional perks like higher interest rates and waived overdraft fees, which is why the balance requirement is steeper.

If you cannot consistently maintain the required balance, direct deposit is usually the easier path. You do not need to keep any money in the account—only receive the deposit each month.

Direct Deposit as an Alternative to the Balance Requirement

Setting up direct deposit waives the monthly fee without requiring you to maintain any specific balance. Direct deposit means your employer, government agency, or other income source deposits money straight into your Chase account instead of issuing a paper check.

The direct deposit amount that triggers the waiver depends on your account type. Chase Total Checking requires a $500 direct deposit per month. Chase find Checking requires $250 per month. Some Chase accounts, like Chase Premier Plus Checking, waive the fee with any direct deposit amount, even $1.

Direct deposit must actually post to your account to count—setting it up does not waive the fee until money actually arrives. If your employer deposits on the 15th of each month and the fee charges on the 1st, you will pay the fee that month. The waiver takes effect the following month once the deposit has posted.

You can set up direct deposit through your employer's payroll system or through Chase's website by providing your account and routing number. Government benefits like Social Security, unemployment, or tax refunds also count as direct deposit.

How to Check Which Account Type You Hold

Your account type determines which waiver option applies to you. Log into Chase.com or the Chase mobile app and look at your account details. The account name appears at the top of your account summary—it will say "Chase Total Checking," "Chase find Checking," "Chase Premier Plus Checking," or another specific name.

You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card and ask which account you hold. They can also tell you the exact balance requirement or direct deposit amount for your specific account.

If you are unsure whether you currently meet the waiver requirement, ask Chase to review your account. They can tell you whether your balance has stayed above the minimum or whether a direct deposit posted that month. This information helps you understand whether the fee will charge on your next billing date.

What to Do If the Fee Already Charged

Chase does not automatically refund fees that have already posted to your account. However, you can contact Chase and request a one-time reversal. Call the number on your debit card or visit a branch in person. Explain that you were not aware of the fee or the waiver options, or that you recently set up direct deposit or brought your balance above the minimum.

Chase customer service representatives have the authority to reverse one fee as a courtesy, though they are not required to do so. Your chances improve if this is your first request and if you have been a customer for a while. If they refuse, you can ask to speak to a supervisor, though the outcome is unlikely to change.

To prevent future fees, set a phone reminder for a few days before your monthly billing date. Check your balance or confirm that your direct deposit posted. If you are close to the minimum balance, transfer money in from another account or delay a large purchase until after the billing date.

Switching to a Different Chase Account to Lower or Eliminate Fees

If you cannot meet the balance requirement for your current account, you may be able to switch to Chase find Checking, which requires only a $300 balance or $250 direct deposit. This account charges a $4 fee instead of $12 if you do not meet the waiver condition, so even if you miss the requirement occasionally, the cost is lower.

You can open a different Chase account online or at a branch. Chase allows you to hold multiple accounts at the same time. Some people keep their original account open and open a new one that better fits their situation. Others close the original account once the new one is set up.

Before switching, confirm the fees and waiver requirements for the new account type. Chase's website lists all account options and their terms. If you have overdraft protection or other features tied to your current account, check whether the new account includes them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the $500 balance have to stay in my checking account, or can I move it to savings?

The balance must stay in your checking account. Chase checks your checking account balance daily to determine whether you meet the waiver requirement. Money in savings, money market accounts, or other Chase accounts does not count toward the minimum.

If I set up direct deposit, do I have to keep the $500 balance too?

No. Direct deposit waives the fee on its own. You do not need to maintain any balance once direct deposit is set up and posting each month. You can spend the money as soon as it arrives.

What counts as direct deposit for Chase?

Employer paychecks, government benefits (Social Security, unemployment, tax refunds), pension payments, and regular transfers from another account set up as automatic deposits all count. One-time transfers or manual deposits do not count as direct deposit.

Can I get the fee reversed if I have been charged multiple times?

Chase may reverse one fee as a courtesy, but they rarely reverse multiple months of fees. If you have been charged repeatedly, contact them and explain your situation. They may reverse one or two months, but you should focus on meeting the waiver requirement going forward to prevent future charges.

Does Chase charge the fee on the same day every month?

Yes. The fee charges on a set day each month, which depends on when you opened your account. You can find this date by looking at your past statements or asking Chase. Mark this date on your calendar so you know when to check that you meet the waiver requirement.