Chase Total Checking® account review

Deal

$225 signup bonus when you open a Chase Total new account with direct deposit

Expires 18 Oct 2021

Offer valid for Chase Total Checking through October 18, 2021, when you set up direct deposit within 90 days of opening your account.

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How do I open a Chase Total Checking account?

You can open a Chase Total Checking account at a branch or online through the following steps:

1. Click Apply now.
2. From the Chase site, click Checking accounts.
3. Click Open account under Chase Total Checking.
4. Fill in your personal information including your name, address and Social Security number, then click Next.
5. Once your application is complete, you’ll need to fund the account.
6. After your opening deposit has been made, you can submit your application.

Compare Chase Total Checking to similar accounts

We gathered a quick comparison of Chase Total Checking and similar accounts to help you decide which one is best for you. To keep looking, select “Compare accounts” to compare even more checking accounts.

Chase Total Checking®

★★★★★

Finder Rating: 3 / 5

Go to site
Fee $12 per month
APY N/A
Minimum deposit to open $0
ATM network Access to 16,000 ATMs and more than 4,700 branches nationwide

HSBC Premier Checking

★★★★★

Finder Rating: 2.7 / 5

Go to site
Fee $50 per month
APY 0.01% on balances of $5+
Minimum deposit to open $0
ATM network Free to use at all ATMs in the US

Chime Spending account

★★★★★

Finder Rating: 4.7 / 5

Go to site
Fee $0 per month
APY N/A
Minimum deposit to open $0
ATM network 60,000+ fee-free ATMs

Compare even more checking accounts

Compare accounts

What are the benefits of Chase Total Checking?

• Bonus offer. Get a $225 signup bonus bonus when you open this account and set up direct deposit.
• Visa debit. The account comes with a Chase Visa debit card with chip technology.
• Convenient deposits. You can deposit money at branches, ATMs, by mail, online or through its app using Chase QuickDeposit.
• Security. Chase holds the highest possible ratings by all three major ratings agencies. It’s also FDIC-insured, meaning that deposits up to $250,000 are covered by FDIC deposit insurance.
• Bill pay. Make one-time or recurring payments for free when you make this account the primary account for online bill payment.
• Nationwide support. Chase has more than 4,700 branch locations and offers 24/7 customer service. You can also get in touch by email, mail and Twitter, or find FAQs on the Chase site.
• Account alerts. Get alerts when there is a charge, refund or other transaction on your account. This service is available via text, email and push notifications.
• Text banking. This feature allows you to check account balances, view credit card bills and more — all from your phone.
• Mobile payments. Use the Chase mobile app to send money to friends and family through QuickPay with Zelle.

Chase ATM network and fees

This account comes with a Chase Visa debit card, giving you access to Chase’s massive network of over 16,000 ATMs. Transactions at these ATMs are free, but if you use an ATM from another bank, you’ll be charged the following fees:

What should I look out for?

• Opening deposit requirement. This account requires a $0 minimum deposit to open.
• Monthly service charge. The Chase Total Checking account comes with a monthly service charge of $12, which is waived if you meet any of the following conditions:
  • Have direct deposits into the account totaling $500 or more per month.
  • Have a balance of $1,500 or more at the beginning of each statement period.
  • Have an average balance of $5,000 or more at the beginning of each statement period, which includes qualifying linked deposits and investments.
• Insufficient funds fees. You’re charged $34 for each debit card purchase that overdraws your account, with a maximum of three per day. However, this fee doesn’t apply if any of these conditions are true:
  • Your account balance at the end of the business day is overdrawn by $5 or less.
  • The purchase was for $5 or less, even if your end-of-day balance is overdrawn.
  • You made a withdrawal at an ATM.
• Extended overdraft fees. You’ll incur a $15 fee each time your account is overdrawn at least five business days in a row.
• Miscellaneous fees. These other fees could eat away at your funds if you’re not careful.
  • Stop payment: $30 per request
  • Non-ATM cash: $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater
  • Additional statement copy: $6 per paper statement
  • Blank page of three personal checks: $2 per page
  • Money order: $5 each
  • Cashier’s check: $8 each
• Wire transfer fees. Both domestic and international wire transfers also incur additional fees.
  • Incoming wire transfer: $15
  • Outgoing domestic wire transfer: $35
  • Outgoing domestic online wire transfer: $25
  • Outgoing international wire transfer: $50
  • Outgoing international online wire transfer: $40
  • Outgoing international online wire transfer in a foreign currency: $40 for amounts less than $5,000; free for amounts of $5,000 or more
• Limited availability. Although Chase has more than 4,700 branches, it only operates in 28 states and Washington, DC. However, an online account can be opened nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

If you prefer an interest-bearing checking account or one with no foreign transaction fee, you’ll want to keep looking. As always, compare your options when looking for a checking account.

How much do I need to open an account?

This account requires a minimum deposit of $0, due when you open the account.

What other checking options does Chase offer?

Chase also offers a few other checking accounts:

• Chase Premier Plus Checking. Comes with higher balance requirements but also offers great perks and features.
• Chase Sapphire Checking. This premium checking account has a high balance requirement to waive the $25 monthly service fee, but has almost no other fees and earns interest at 0.01% APY.
• Chase College Checking. Designed for the needs and expenses of college students and comes with a $6 monthly service fee that can be waived for up to five years while you’re in school.
• Chase High School Checking. Geared toward students between the ages 13 and 17, this checking account helps develop responsible financial behavior in teenagers. Its $6 monthly service fee is waived if you meet certain requirements.

Does this bank offer business services?

Yes. Chase also offers a number of options for businesses, including:

• Business checking accounts. Various business checking accounts like the Chase Business Complete Banking account, are designed to help businesses handle cash flow.
• Merchant services. Chase offers products that allow businesses to accept payments online, in store or on the go.
• Business credit cards. Chase’s selection ofbusiness credit cards help companies cover expenses and earn rewards in the process.
• Business lending. Lines of credit, term loans, SBA financing and more are available to help businesses finance large purchases and other operating expenses.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I get the $225 bonus?

  The $225 signup bonus bonus is available to new Chase customers, so if you’ve already got an account with Chase, you’re out of luck. If you’re a new customer, all you’ll have to do is sign up and set up direct deposit within the first 90 days of opening an account.

• Can I make mobile payments with this account?

  Yes. You can use the mobile app to make mobile payments through QuickPay with Zelle or use a third-party mobile payment service.

• Does this account earn interest?

  No. Unlike some other Chase checking accounts, the Chase Total Checking does not earn interest.

• How do I set up online bill pay?

  You can visit the Chase site or download the mobile app to access your account and enroll in online banking. Once you’ve logged in, select Pay bills in the navigation menu, which will allow you to manage payees, send payments and more.