Chase Total Checking is Chase’s standard consumer checking account. The $12 monthly fee is waived for most working adults by setting up direct deposit — making it effectively free while providing access to 16,000+ ATMs and 4,700+ branches nationwide.
The fee waiver is simple: have your employer direct deposit any amount of $500 or more per month to Chase Total Checking. That covers most salaried and hourly workers.
Chase Total Checking: Key Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly service fee | $12 |
| Fee waiver options | $500 direct deposit OR $1,500 daily balance OR $5,000 linked balance |
| Interest earned | None (0% APY) |
| Debit card | Visa |
| ATM network | 16,000+ Chase ATMs (free) |
| Non-Chase ATM fee | $3.00 per withdrawal |
| Overdraft fee | $34 per item (max 3/day) |
| Minimum opening deposit | $0 |
| Online/mobile banking | Full feature, including mobile deposit |
| Zelle | Yes (free, instant) |
| Bill pay | Yes (free) |
| FDIC insured | Yes |
The Three Ways to Waive the $12 Fee
Option 1: Direct Deposit ($500+/month) — Easiest Set up direct deposit with your employer or benefits provider. Any direct deposit of $500 or more in a single statement period waives the fee. This includes payroll, government benefits (Social Security, unemployment, disability), and pension payments. A single $500 direct deposit qualifies — you don’t need $500 every week.
Option 2: Minimum Daily Balance ($1,500) Maintain at least $1,500 in your Chase Total Checking account every single day of the statement period. One dip below $1,500 on any day triggers the fee. This is harder to maintain reliably than direct deposit.
Option 3: Linked Account Balance ($5,000) Maintain an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more combined across your Chase Total Checking, Chase savings, Chase CDs, Chase Premier Plus Checking, Chase Premier Savings, or Chase Private Client accounts. Less practical for most customers without significant saved assets.
Chase Total Checking vs. Other Chase Accounts
| Account | Monthly Fee | Fee Waiver | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Checking | $12 | $500 DD or $1,500 balance | Most customers |
| Secure Banking | $4.95 | No waiver available | People who frequently overdraft |
| Premier Plus Checking | $25 | $15,000 balance or linked mortgage | High-balance customers |
| Sapphire Banking | $25 | $75,000+ linked deposits | Wealth management clients |
Chase Secure Banking is worth noting: it’s a $4.95/month account with no overdraft fees and no minimum balance — transactions are declined if funds are insufficient. For customers who struggle with overdrafts, the predictable $4.95 monthly cost beats unpredictable $34 overdraft fees.
Overdraft Policy on Total Checking
Chase’s overdraft policy has several tiers:
- No fee: If your end-of-day available balance is $50 or more in the negative (Chase Overdraft Assist)
- $34 fee: Per item when balance goes below -$50
- Maximum per day: 3 fees ($102)
- Grace period: Until 11 PM ET the same day to deposit enough to bring balance above -$50
Setting up overdraft protection via a linked Chase savings account transfers funds automatically at no charge — avoiding the $34 fee entirely.
See the full Chase overdraft policy for details.
What Chase Total Checking Includes
Zelle — Send and receive money free and instantly to any Zelle-enrolled bank. Chase has built Zelle directly into the app.
Mobile Deposit — Deposit checks via the Chase app. Daily limit starts at $2,000–$5,000 for new accounts, increases with account history. Funds typically available next business day.
Bill Pay — Schedule one-time or recurring payments to any US business or individual. Free, no limit on number of payments.
Early Direct Deposit — Chase processes direct deposits as soon as the ACH file is received from your employer — often 1–2 days before your official payday.
Chase QuickPay — In-app transfers between Chase accounts are instant and free.
How to Open Chase Total Checking
- Visit chase.com or a Chase branch
- Click “Open an account” → Total Checking
- Enter your personal information (SSN, address, employment)
- Verify your identity (automatic for most applicants)
- Fund the account — no minimum required, but $25 to $100 is recommended for initial setup
Online applications typically take 5–10 minutes. Approval is usually instant for applicants without ChexSystems flags. If you’ve had a bank account closed for cause, Chase may decline.
Bonus offer: Chase periodically offers $200–$300 cash bonuses for new Total Checking customers who set up direct deposit within 90 days. Check chase.com for current promotions.
See also: Chase savings account | Chase fees and how to avoid them | Chase routing number | Chase bank review
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