The Ultimate Guide to Chase Personal Checking Accounts [Types & Benefits]

Chase is a solid financial institution – and beyond their portfolio of banking products, Chase have some of the best credit cards that certainly rival the competition.

But when it comes to banking, you could probably open a checking account with any of a dozen nearby banks. You may want to consider Chase, however, for the long-term value a Chase relationship can provide.

The whole financial package offered by Chase leverages your ability to manage your finances economically. It also allows you to earn valuable rewards with their credit cards and collect cash bonuses for opening new accounts and referring friends.

We’re going to focus on personal checking accounts here because it’s the perfect place to start a relationship with Chase.

In this article we’ll cover:

• Why you’d want a personal Chase checking account
• The types of checking accounts available
• Special checking accounts designed for students and military members
• The best personal Chase credit cards
• How to earn Chase cash bonuses

Let’s get started with an overview of Chase personal checking options and see which may be right for you.

Benefits of a Chase Personal Checking Account

When deciding on a bank to open a personal checking account with, you might want to consider the whole package and what the relationship can do for you in the future. Selecting Chase can be a prudent financial move for a lot of reasons.

Why you should consider building a long-term relationship with Chase:

• Accessibility (more than 4,700 branches and 15,000 ATMs)
• FDIC insured
• Ability to make mobile deposits
• Online banking
• Additional mobile banking tools and account alerts
• 24/7 customer support
• Use Chase QuickPay and Zelle^® to pay bills or for peer-to-peer payments
• Paperless statements
• Special account discounts and benefits for military members
• Special accounts for students
• Ability to link business checking and personal checking accounts
• Higher interest rates and fee waivers for relationship customers
• Strong rewards-earning credit card offerings

Bottom Line: Chase offers all the convenience, technology, and security you would expect from any solid financial institution. Above and beyond that is their superb industry-leading portfolio of rewards-earning credit cards. 

Types of Chase Personal Checking Accounts

An obvious place to begin establishing a financial relationship with Chase would be to open a Chase checking account.

You’ll have several options depending on your financial situation and preferences. If you’re a student or a military member, you’ll find special accounts that are tailored specifically to your needs.

Let’s take a look at the checking account options available at Chase.

Chase Sapphire℠ Checking

Those who have large resources held in Chase checking, savings, and investment accounts can eliminate banking and associated transaction fees with the Chase Sapphire Checking account.

You can also enjoy the benefits of Chase Sapphire Checking by simply paying the monthly service fee. Let’s see if the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Checking outweigh the requirements.

Minimum Deposit to Open: $0

Monthly Service Fee: $25

Waiving the Monthly Service Fee: 

• Keep an average beginning day balance of  $75,000 in combined qualifying Chase accounts and investments

Additional Benefits Over the Chase Premier Plus Checking Account:

• No Chase ATM fees worldwide
• ATM fees charged by the ATM owner will be reimbursed
• No fees for insufficient funds or returned items (subject to limits)
• No foreign exchange rate fees
• No monthly service fees on up to 9 linked Chase accounts
• Free safety deposit box
• Commission-free online stock and EFT trades

You don’t need heavy financial resources deposited with Chase to benefit from the Sapphire Checking account.

Even with a $25 monthly service fee, you may realize savings if you frequently use non-Chase ATMs, travel internationally, or have several family checking accounts that currently incur monthly fees.

You can open a Chase Sapphire Checking account online or visit a Chase branch; you can also upgrade an existing Chase checking account.

Hot Tip: If you plan to open a Chase Sapphire Checking account, be sure you check for special sign-up offers, like extra Ultimate Rewards Points!

Chase Total Checking^®

Those who are looking for a straightforward checking account through Chase should explore the Chase Total Checking account.

Click here to open an account.

Minimum Deposit to Open: $0

Monthly Service Fee: $12

Waiving the Monthly Service Fee: 

• Electronic deposits made into the account totaling $500
• A daily balance of $1,500 or more
• An average daily balance of $5,000 or more in any combination between linked qualifying Chase checking, savings, or other balances.

Additional Benefits:

• New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking^® account and set up direct deposit
• Access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
• Chase Mobile^® app – Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more — all from your device.
• JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
• Open your account online now
• Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
• Chase Overdraft Assist℠ – no overdraft fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*

*With Chase Overdraft Assist℠, we won’t charge an Overdraft Fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day (you have until 11 PM ET (8 PM PT) to make a deposit or transfer). Chase Overdraft Assist does not require enrollment and comes with eligible Chase checking accounts.

Chase Secure Banking℠

Those who are looking to save money on banking fees.

Minimum Deposit to Open: $0

Monthly Service Fee: $4.95

Additional Benefits: 

• New Chase checking customers enjoy a $100 checking account bonus when you open a Chase Secure Banking℠ account with qualifying transactions. Open online or at any Chase branch.
• Set up direct deposit and you may get your money up to two business days early-exclusively for Chase Secure Banking℠ customers.
• No minimum deposit to open an account and get started.
• No overdraft fees with a Chase debit card that helps you stay within your balance.
• Chase Secure Banking℠ customers told us they save an average of $50 a month on fees after opening their account.
• JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
• Pay bills, cash checks and send money with Zelle^® all for a $4.95 monthly service fee.
• Bank from anywhere with access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs, more than 4,700 Chase branches, the Chase Mobile^® app and Chase Online℠.

Chase College Checking℠

Students have specific banking needs. Being busy and on-the-go means digital banking services and easy access to their money are probably priorities.

Chase’s student checking account does all that plus eliminates monthly fees and provides the tools a student needs to become more financially savvy.

Let’s take a look at the features of a Chase College Checking℠ account.

Minimum Deposit to Open: $0

Monthly Service Fee: No Monthly Service Fee for up to 5 years if you’re a student between the ages of 17-24 at account opening with proof of student status.

Waive the Service Fee After Graduation: 

• Have a direct deposit to the account, OR
• Keep an average ending day balance of $5,000 or more

Benefits of College Checking:

• Enjoy $100 as a new Chase checking customer when you open a Chase College Checking℠ account and complete 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days of coupon enrollment.
• No Monthly Service Fee for up to 5 years if you’re a student between the ages of 17-24 at account opening with proof of student status.
• Students ages 18-24 with a Social Security Number can open an account online or at a Chase branch. Students with no Social Security number or who are 17-year-olds can only open an account at a branch.
• Keep track of your money in the Chase Mobile^® app. The app helps you manage your money.
• Zelle^® is available in more than 1,000 banking apps in the U.S. So you can send and receive money from almost anyone you know and trust who has a bank account in the U.S.
• Access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches.
• JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
• Chase Overdraft Assist℠ – no overdraft fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*

*With Chase Overdraft Assist℠, we won’t charge an Overdraft Fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day (you have until 11 PM ET (8 PM PT) to make a deposit or transfer). Chase Overdraft Assist does not require enrollment and comes with eligible Chase checking accounts.

Bottom Line: Geared toward the tech-savvy student who wants to build banking experience and learn how to manage their money, the Chase College Checking℠ account could be a great solution.

Chase High School Checking

The not-quite-ready for college set can still learn how to start managing money with a Chase High School Checking account.

Students ages 14-17 can qualify for this special student checking account with their parent/guardian as a co-owner.

Minimum Deposit to Open: $25

Monthly Service Fee: $6

Waiving the Service Fee:

• A direct deposit is made to the account each statement period, OR
• The account is linked to a qualifying personal parent/guardian checking account, OR
• The account has an average ending day balance of $5,000

Hot Tip: Non-U.S. students may also qualify to open a High School or College Checking account with proper ID, a residence address (U.S. or foreign), account opening funds, and their passport. 

Chase Checking for Military Members

The Chase Premier Plus Checking account with Chase Military Banking benefits delivers a customized checking account tailored specifically to the needs of military members.

Who Qualifies? 

All active military, reserve, or National Guard members and veterans with valid military ID qualify for the following core benefits:

• No monthly service fee (normally $25)
• Free 3 x 5 safety deposit box
• Fees waived on 4 non-Chase ATM transaction each statement period
• No fees for counter checks, money orders, or cashiers checks
• No monthly service fees on up to 2 additional checking accounts
• No monthly service fees on savings accounts
• No monthly service fees on Chase Liquid pre-paid cards

Military members who choose to direct deposit their paychecks receive these additional benefits:

• Fees waived on all non-Chase ATM transactions
• No Chase fee on wire transfers (incoming and outgoing)
• No exchange rate transaction fees at international ATMs or when using debit card for non-USD transactions

If you’re a military member, Chase Military Banking benefits could potentially save you hundreds of dollars a year. Similarly, if you’re active military, see our post on the best credit cards for military members as many issuers waive annual fees and offer reduced interest rates on their cards.

Hot Tip: Chase’s Survivor Program eliminates the debt on mortgages, loans, credit cards, and more for those military members who have been killed in combat or lost their lives due to military service. To learn more about this program, contact Chase at 877-469-0110.

Chase Private Client Banking

For those special clients who carry a $250,000 or more total balance in qualifying Chase accounts, the benefits are many.

Chase Private Clients receive access to special Chase products, priority services, and investment advice. They also receive fee waivers on their accounts and other elite benefits.

If you want to learn more, we’ve created an ultimate guide to Chase Private Client banking.

The Best Chase Personal Credit Cards

A rewards-earning Chase personal credit card can be a great complement to your personal Chase checking and savings accounts.

Whether you want a card that earns rewards on everyday purchases or you’re looking to earn rewards on those travel purchases, Chase credit cards can do it all.

When it comes time to redeem your rewards, you’ll have a lot of choices. First, even their cash-back credit cards earn rewards that can be redeemed for travel.

Additionally, you’ll find travel statement credits, airport lounge access, and more travel value at redemption time with premium Chase credit cards.

You can also earn a great sign-up bonus when meeting minimum initial spending after card approval.

Here are some of the most popular and rewarding Chase personal credit cards:

Earning Cash Bonuses With Chase

Chase New Account Bonuses

We can all use some extra cash, and fortunately Chase often rewards its new customers with cash bonuses! When opening a Chase checking and/or savings account, you could be on your way to earning several hundred dollars.

The amount varies, but when you’re ready to open a Chase account, you’ll want to check to find which bonuses are being offered.

Bonuses for Student Accounts

New account bonuses for student checking may or may not be offered when you’re ready to open an account.

When you’re ready, check here to see if a bonus is currently being offered for a new student checking account.

Make Money by Referring Friends

Have a current Chase checking or savings account and need a little cash?

Just refer your friends (and family) — when they open an account with Chase, you’ll receive a $50 cash bonus. You can refer up to 10 friends per year for a total of $500 extra cash in your account.

To get started, copy your unique referral URL link generated when you access the refer a friend page and share via social media or email.

You can also request Chase to send your friend a personal email invitation (but it can take several days). Your friend must use either link to apply for their account to ensure you receive your bonus.

Hot Tip: New account and referral bonuses are considered interest, so they are taxable income. You will receive a 1099 form from Chase at the end of the calendar year for the amount of the bonus. 

Final Thoughts

I’m obviously a Chase fan, but it’s a valid love affair. I have several Chase checking accounts, savings accounts, an auto loan, previous mortgages, and a large collection of their credit cards. I definitely value the long-term relationship I’ve built with Chase, including my extended credit history with them.

My bias is also fueled by the thousands of dollars in travel I earn every year with Chase Ultimate Rewards points and statement credits. The travel perks of lounge access and the 50% more value I receive when redeeming points with my Chase Sapphire Reserve^® add plenty of additional awesomeness!

The bottom line, of course, is whether Chase can add as much value for you.

I think you’ll find that the whole package of what Chase can do, starting with one of their personal checking accounts, is worth considering a relationship with an institution that offers so much.

The information regarding Chase Private Client, and Chase Premier Plus Checking℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.