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Chase Sapphire Checking account review
Enjoy minimal fees, plum benefits and 24/7 priority customer support with this premium checking account.
finder.com’s rating: 2.5 / 5.0
★★★★★
Formerly known as Chase Premier Platinum Checking, the Chase Sapphire Checking account has minimal fees and comes with a number of plum benefits exclusive to Chase Sapphire customers. But you need at least $75,000 to avoid the monthly fee and in-person customer support is limited for those who don’t live in one of the 28 states where it has branches.
$25 per month
Fee
0.01%
APY
$0
Minimum deposit to open
Details
| APY | 0.01% |
|---|---|
| Fee | $25 per month |
| To waive the fee | Have an average beginning day balance of $75,000 or more in any combination of this account and linked qualifying deposits/investments |
| Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
| Intro or bonus offer | Get a $1,000 welcome bonus when you join Sapphire Banking. Within 45 days of joining, transfer a total of $75,000 or more in qualifying new money or securities to a combination of eligible checking, savings and/or investment accounts (excludes any J.P. Morgan retirement accounts and CDs), and maintain the balance for at least 90 days. |
| ATMs | Free to use anywhere worldwide |
| ATM transaction fee | $0 |
| ATM fee rebates | Chase will refund all ATM fees worldwide |
| Out-of-network ATM fee | $0 |
| Foreign transaction fee | 0% |
| Overdraft fee | $34 |
| Nonsufficient funds fee | $34 |
Review by
Peter Carleton
peter.carleton@findercrew.comPeter Carleton is a writer that covers banking and investing, breaking down what you need to know about where you put your money. When Peter's not thinking about cutting-edge banking apps and robo-advisors, he runs a creative agency and spends his spare time cooking or reading.
Expert review
If you usually have a running balance of at least $75,000 in your combined checking, savings and investment accounts, then the Chase Sapphire Checking account could be a good fit. It has no minimum deposit, minimal fees and higher transaction limits than other Chase accounts.
But the 0.01% APY is almost non-existent. If you’re looking for a checking account with higher rates — or one that doesn’t require a $75,000 minimum balance — then this one isn’t for you.
How do I open a Chase Sapphire Checking account?
You can open a Chase Sapphire Checking account online or at a local Chase branch.
Follow these steps to apply online.
- Go to the provider’s site and follow the steps to apply.
- From the Chase website and click Checking accounts, click Open now under Chase Sapphire Checking.
- Fill in your personal information including your name, address and Social Security number, then click Next.
- Once your application is complete, you’ll need to fund the account.
- After your initial deposit has been made, you can submit your application.
Eligibility
Anyone can open a Chase Sapphire Checking account if they meet these requirements:
- US citizen or resident
- At least 18 years old
- US residential address
Required information
Have the following information ready when you apply online or in-person:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Government-issued ID
- Social security number — or passport for foreign applicants
- Income information
What are the benefits of Chase Sapphire Checking?
The Chase Sapphire Checking account comes with standard banking features such as FDIC-insured deposits, free bill pay and a debit card, along with these perks:
- No minimum deposit. This account doesn’t require a minimum deposit when you open your account online or at a branch.
- Minimal fees. You won’t be charged non-Chase ATM fees, extended overdraft fees, stop payment fees, incoming or outgoing wire transfer fees, counter checks, money orders, cashier’s checks and more.
- Earn interest. You’ll earn 0.01% APY. But you can find higher rates elsewhere.
- Higher transaction limits. As an accountholder, you’ll also enjoy access to higher ATM and purchase limits than you would with Chase’s other checking account debit cards.
- Perks and freebies. This account comes with priority customer service, a free 3×5-inch safety deposit box, and special access to hospitality lounges, early ticket sales and special seating for sports and entertainment events.
- Wide-ranging support. Beyond Chase’s nearly 5,000 branches, you’ll have access to 24/7 customer service. Plus, you can reach Chase by phone, email, mail and on Twitter.
Chase ATM network and fees
This account comes with a Sapphire Banking Debit Card with chip technology. You can make purchases online and in person, and you’ll have access to over 16,000 ATMs — the largest bank-owned ATM network in the country.
Unlike many other Chase accounts, you won’t be charged an ATM fee — even if you use a non-Chase ATM — and you’ll be refunded any fees charged by the ATM owner. You also won’t be charged exchange rate adjustment fees on ATM withdrawals or debit card purchases made outside the US.
What should I look out for?
The Chase Sapphire Checking account has these drawbacks:
- Monthly service fee. The Chase Sapphire Checking account comes with a $25 monthly service fee, which can be waived if you have an average beginning day balance of at least $75,000 in this account and linked qualifying checking, savings and investment accounts.
- Insufficient funds fees. Chase waives four insufficient funds or returned item fees each year. After that, you’ll be charged $34 for each debit card purchase that overdraws your account — up to three a day. But you won’t get charged if:
- Your account balance at the end of the business day is overdrawn by $5 or less.
- The transaction was for $5 or less, even if your end-of-day balance is overdrawn.
- You made a withdrawal at an ATM.
- Limited availability. Although Chase has nearly 5,000 branches, it only operates in 28 states and Washington, DC.
If you prefer a higher interest-bearing account, you’ll want to keep looking. As always, compare your options when looking for a checking account.
Where does Chase have branches?
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Compare with other checking accounts
What other checking options does Chase offer?
Chase also offers a few other checking accounts:
- Chase Total Checking. This no-frills checking account comes with a $12 monthly service fee that you can waive by meeting certain requirements, but it doesn’t earn interest.
- Chase Premier Plus Checking. Open this checking account with just a $25 minimum deposit and enjoy four non-Chase ATM fee waivers each statement period, earn interest on your balance, score free checks and money orders and more.
- Chase College Checking. Geared toward college students ages 17 to 24, this account’s $6 monthly service fee is waived for up to five years while you’re in school.
- Chase High School Checking. Parents can open this account with their children ages 13 to 17 to start teaching them healthy spending and saving habits.
Does this bank offer business services?
Yes. Chase has a number of business services available, including:
- Business checking accounts. Choose from three different checking accounts for your business which all come with unlimited electronic deposits, mobile and online banking, account alerts and more.
- Merchant services. Whether you’re looking for payment solutions for your brick-and-mortar store or online shop, Chase’s suite of merchant services can help.
- Business credit cards. Chase offers a number of business credit cards, no matter if you’re looking for cashback rewards, travel perks or a good intro APR period.
- Business lending. Get everything from equipment financing to term loans to lines of credit through Chase to help your business manage cash flow and invest in new opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
Checking account ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
We analyze top checking accounts and rate them one to five stars based on factors that are most important to you. These factors include: monthly fees, the ease at which monthly fees can be waived, the breadth of ATM access, ATM and overdraft fees, and customer service.