Chase Total Checking is a basic checking account suitable for everyday use. This account comes with a monthly fee of $12, which you can avoid by maintaining a certain balance, receiving a specified direct deposit, or fulfilling some banking fee requirements.

The Visa debit card from this account can be used worldwide. The company's mobile app makes mobile check deposits, person-to-person transfers, and automated bill payments easy. Additionally, short-term overdrafts under $50 are free with the account. However, larger or longer overdrafts incur fees.

Chase Total Checking accounts are open to legal adults in the US, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Main Features of Chase Total Checking

Incentives for Opening an Account

A $200 bonus makes Chase Total Checking appealing. The promotion requires opening a Chase Total Checking account and making $500 in direct deposits within 90 days. For the bonus, this offer is valid until January 24, 2024.

Deposit and Balance Requirements

A significant advantage of the Chase Total Checking account is the absence of an initial deposit requirement and ongoing balance demands. This flexibility is a critical point in any Chase Total Checking review. Chase maintains a policy of not closing accounts due to low balances unless the account remains negative for a prolonged period.

Monthly Fee

Chase provides several ways to waive this fee, such as receiving direct deposits totaling $500 or more, maintaining an average daily balance of $1,500 in your Total Checking account, or holding a combined average daily balance of $5,000 in eligible Chase accounts.

ATM and Branch Availability

Chase Total Checking account holders have access to approximately 15,000 ATMs within Chase's fee-free network, alongside about 5,000 physical branches across the U.S. However, it's important to remember that Chase does not cover fees incurred at out-of-network ATMs, making it advisable for Chase Total Checking customers to use in-network ATMs.

Overdraft

Chase offers an effective solution for managing overdrafts with its Overdraft Assist program. Two situations qualify for this program's overdraft fee waiver. You won't be charged if your overdraft balance is under $50 by the end of the business day. If your overdraft exceeds $50, but you pay it off by the back of the business day, the fee will be waived. This method helps Chase Total Checking accounts handle small overdrafts without extra fees, keeping them user-friendly.

Chase offers two more large overdraft options. To prevent overdrafts, Chase Overdraft Protection automatically transfers funds from your linked Chase savings account. This option only works if you have a large Chase savings account. The second option is Debit Card Coverage, which allows negative balance transactions for $34 per transaction. The daily maximum charge is $102, limited to three instances.

Chase Credit Journey

Chase Credit Journey monitors credit scores for free and is functional. This service provides instant FICO score access and customized creditworthiness improvement advice. This feature gives people the tools and insights to understand and improve their credit scores. Chase Total Checking reviews emphasize their importance in financial planning and preservation.

Potential Fees with Chase Total Checking

Chase Total Checking account fees must be considered. Non-chase ATMs in the US cost $3, and international ATMs $5. Cashier's checks cost $10, and foreign currency transactions cost 3%. Wire transfer fees range from $0 to $50, depending on direction and destination. Knowing these fees can help you meet chase total checking minimum balance and avoid unnecessary fees.

Benefits of Chase Total Checking

Overdraft Flexibility

Chase Total Checking offers a significant overdraft advantage. Unlike other central banks, Chase exempts customers with negative balances up to $50 from overdraft fees. This policy acknowledges customers' occasional financial shortfalls. Total Checking protects against minor overdrafts, giving you flexibility—customers who occasionally exceed their account balance benefit from this.

No Minimums

Chase Total Checking has no minimum deposit or balance, making it accessible to many customers. This feature appeals to those with limited initial capital or smaller account balances. Not having a chase total checking minimum balance requirement lets customers use their accounts without worrying about keeping a certain amount, which benefits paycheck-dependent people.

Mobile App Functionality

Chase Total Checking's mobile app has many features, like the online account portal. The app's versatility lets customers conveniently complete banking tasks on their phones. Chase's commitment to technology and convenience is shown in this feature.

Fees Waivers

Chase Total Checking review waives the monthly fee for new account holders for the first two months. Customers have enough time to set up direct deposit or build a balance to qualify for a fee waiver during the grace period. This policy benefits new customers who are learning the account and its features.

Drawbacks of Chase Total Checking

Monthly Maintenance Fee

The Chase Total Checking account costs $12 per month. There are ways to avoid this charge, but it remains a concern for account holders. Maintaining a chase total checking minimum balance or deposit requirements waives this charge. This must be considered when assessing Chase Total Checking. This fee helps cover account maintenance costs for those who don't always qualify for exemption.

Overdraft Fees

Overdrafts can cost Chase Total Checking a lot. Without overdraft protection, Chase charges $34 per transaction, resulting in a negative balance of up to $102 daily. This beats many US banks' rates. Excessive account balances can result in steep fees, so Chase Total Checking should be evaluated accordingly.

Interest Rates

Chase Total Checking lacks interest accrual, which is a significant drawback. This account does not offer any for those who want to earn interest on their daily account balances. If you value savings growth, consider alternative banking. Chase Total Checking's lack of interest earnings is essential for maximizing its financial growth.

ATM Network

Chase Total Checking has 15,000 ATMs, less than Allpoint and MoneyPass. These rival networks boast tens of thousands of ATMs. Due to limited network coverage, Chase Total Checking users may have trouble finding fee-free ATMs, especially when traveling or in rural areas. Restricted access is essential when evaluating Chase total checking review, especially for ATM-dependent people.