Banking » Reviews » Chase Total Checking® Account Review 2023
Advertiser Disclosure This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval. This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.

Chase Total Checking® Account Review 2023

Chase Total Checking is the most affordable checking account for the average user. Here are the main features it offers - and the limitations
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Interest Rates Last Update: September 20, 2023
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Interest Rates Last Update: November 1, 2023

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Table Of Content

Chase Total Checking ®

Fees

$12 Can be waived if you maintain a $1,000 minimum daily balance, making direct deposits or Associated SnapDeposits of $500 or more per statement cycle, or holding $2,500 in combined deposit accounts with the same statement cycle date or having a Health Savings Account or investment account

Minimum Deposit

$0

Promotion

$200 (Chase Total Checking) New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.. Expired on 01/24/2024

Our Rating

4.3
4.3/5

Chase Total Checking ®

Fees

$12 Can be waived if you maintain a $1,000 minimum daily balance, making direct deposits or Associated SnapDeposits of $500 or more per statement cycle, or holding $2,500 in combined deposit accounts with the same statement cycle date or having a Health Savings Account or investment account

Minimum Deposit

$0

Promotion

$200 (Chase Total Checking) Expired on 01/24/2024

Our Rating

4.3
4.3/5

Chase is one of the largest banks in the U.S, providing consumers with a comprehensive line of products and services from credit cards and investments to savings accounts. Since it has a big presence throughout the U.S, Chase is a solid choice for your checking account.

Chase Total Checking is the most affordable checking account in the Chase product line with a modest monthly service fee, which is relatively easy to waive.

You can use the account for all your everyday banking needs, with zero liability protection for any unauthorized debit card transactions and an impressive mobile app, which allows you to pay bills, transfer money, deposit checks and all other aspects of managing your account.

Chase Total Checking: Best Features

Here are the main features to know about the Chase Total Checking account:

  • Access to a Massive Branch Network: Chase is one of the largest banks in the U.S with a branch network of over 4,700 locations. This makes it easy to access in person support if you run into any issues or queries. You can also more than 15,000 ATMs in the Chase network, so you can deposit or withdraw funds for free.
  • 24/7 Support: In addition to its branch team, Chase offers 24/7 support via its customer service helpline. So, you can still get immediate assistance if you have a query or concern outside of regular business hours.
  • Chase Quickpay with Zelle: This service is free of charge and available through the Chase app or online banking platform. You can transfer up to $2,000 daily and up to $16,000 monthly to family or friends using just their phone number or email address. This makes it super easy to split a bill when you’re dining out or cover other costs and the recipient will receive the money directly into their bank account.
  • Online Bill Payment: You can pay your bills through the Total Checking account and schedule automatic payments for free. This can help you to keep on track of your financial obligations and avoid late fees.
  • QuickDeposit: QuickDeposit is the mobile check deposit feature available on the Chase mobile app. This is a free service, which can save you from needing to visit an ATM or branch. However, there is a daily limit of $500 and $1,500 per month for the first six months of holding the account.
  • Digital Financial Tools: Chase has a suite of digital financial tools, which are a great feature to help you to set goals and create budgets. So, if you want to take control of your finances, these tools can be a game changer.

Is Chase Total Checking Good?

No financial product is perfect and there are both positives and potential negatives associated with the Chase Total Checking account.

Pros
Cons
Well Established Banking Brand
Monthly Maintenance Fee
Fee Free ATM Network
Not Interest Bearing
Excellent App
Out of Network ATM Fees
No Minimum Deposit Requirement
Overdraft Assist

Chase is one of the most recognizable banking brands, so you can have confidence that this isn’t a new and inexperienced financial institution.

There is FDIC protection and you can rely on the Chase team to have the knowledge to guide you through any issues.

One of the main Chase bank benefits is that it has its own network of over 15,000 ATMs, making it easy to make deposits or withdrawals without incurring any fees.

The Chase banking app is highly rated and it allows you to manage virtually all aspects of your everyday account management.

You don’t need to make an initial deposit to open this account, removing this potential barrier to entry.

It can be easy to miscalculate payments or have a misstep which causes you to go overdrawn, but this account has Overdraft Assist, which means that there is no overdraft fee if you are overdrawn by $50 or less.

The account has a $12 monthly maintenance fee. You can waive Chase Total Checking monthly fees by having $500+ in electronic deposits per month, maintaining a balance of at least $1,500 or having a combined average balance across your qualifying Chase accounts of $5,000.

But, it does add another layer of complexity to managing your account.

Unlike some of the other Chase checking accounts, Total Checking does not pay any interest on your balance.

While Chase has a large ATM network, if you don’t have one in your local area, you could end up incurring out of network fees.

Unlike some of the other Chase checking accounts, you’ll not be reimbursed for these fees.

Which Type of Customer is Best Suited to the Chase Total Checking?

  • The Chase Total Checking is a solid account, but there may be some customers who find it is better suited to their circumstances. The types of customers who are likely to get the most from this account include:
  • Those not looking for interest: If you simply want to use your checking account to manage your day to day expenses and don’t tend to carry a large balance, you’re not likely to be bothered about not earning interest on your account. In this scenario, you are more likely to have a linked savings account or use a Chase savings account, which allows you to transfer money into a separate savings fund.
  • Those who can meet the waiver criteria easily: Monthly maintenance fees can quickly eat into your available cash, so it is best to avoid them wherever possible. While this account does have a monthly fee, there are several waiver options, which if you can easily meet will eliminate any risk of incurring charges.
Account
Monthly Fee
Average Day Balance To Waive
Chase Total Checking
$12
$1,500
Chase Premier Plus Checking
$25
$15,000
Chase Sapphire Checking
$25
$75,000
Chase College Checking
$6
$5,000
Chase Private Client Checking
$30
$150,000
Chase Business Complete Banking
$15
$2,000
Chase Performance Business Checking
$30
$35,000
Chase Platinum Business Checking
$95
$100,000
  • Those who need access to money management and saving tools: If you’re looking to get your finances on track and work towards your financial goals, Chase Credit Journey can help you track your credit score.

Is Chase a Good Bank to Work With?

Chase has a poor reputation on Trustpilot, but this is fairly typical of traditional banks. On the other hand, the Chase app is quite well regarded on both Google Play and the Apple Store. This suggests that day to day, Chase is a decent bank to work with. Since Chase also offers 24/7 support, it could be a good option.

While Chase may not offer the best rates in the marketplace, it does have a comprehensive product line. So, if you want to keep all of your financial products under one roof, Chase is a good option. You can also access in-person support at a substantially sized branch network, and there is a large fee free ATM network.

However, suppose you are looking for the highest possible rates and are willing to compromise on branch support and access to a large product line. In that case, you may prefer to look for other top rated checking accounts.

How to Open a Chase Total Checking Account

While you can visit a local branch, one of the easiest ways to open a Total Checking account is online. You can complete the process in a few simple steps.

  1. Find the Total Checking Product Page: You’ll need to visit the Chase website and click “Checking” on the top bar and select “Total Checking.” From this page, you can explore all the features of the account and if you want to proceed, you can click the green “Open Now” button.
  2. Complete the Basic Form: If you’re not an existing Chase customer, you will need to complete all the mandatory fields including your full name, date of birth, address, and Social Security Number.
  3. Confirm Your Citizenship: After you submit the basic form, you’ll be directed to a page to confirm your citizenship. The default is U.S, where you can click yes or no, but if you select no, there is a field to specify another country of citizenship.
  4. Fill in the Application Form: This is a fairly standard account application form, which you’ll need to fill in all the mandatory fields. After you click submit, Chase will process your application and send you an email to confirm when the account is opened.
open chase total checking account
Open chase total checking account on Chase website (Screenshot from chase.com)

FAQs

No, Chase Total Checking is not an interest bearing account.

There are occasionally promotions for new customers opening a Total Checking account. The current promotion is a $200 welcome bonus, but this is a limited time offer.

You can initiate an account closure in one of two ways;calling the customer support helpline or visiting a local branch. In either case, the Chase representative can guide you through the closure process.

Compare Chase Bank

Although Chase Bank has a modern, trendy image, it is one of the oldest banks in the United States. JP Morgan Chase's consumer division, Chase Bank, is one of the largest banks in the United States. Even though its interest rates aren't particularly competitive when compared to online banks and credit unions, loyal Chase customers who keep a significant amount of money with the bank can earn slightly better rates.

American Express is best known for its credit card business. The financial services firm, on the other hand, has a banking subsidiary that offers high-yield savings and CD accounts. For those looking to save money with a well-known financial institution, the American Express High Yield Savings Account is a popular option.

Read Full Comparison: American Express vs Chase Bank

The Chase and Citi checking accounts both have no minimum deposit and a monthly account maintenance fee of $12. This can also be waived with a balance of $1,500 or more, or with qualifying deposits.

Furthermore, both have a very impressive selection of more than credit card options.

Read Full Comparison: Chase vs Citi: Which Bank Account Wins?

Because both Chase and TD Bank provide a comprehensive range of products, we'll need to summarize the benefits and drawbacks to determine which bank is superior.

Chase offers some novel features, including the possibility of comparable CD rates without the TD Bank's minimum deposit. However, there is little to distinguish the checking accounts, as TD Bank's savings rate is twice that of Chase.

Although Chase has more credit card options, don't discount TD Bank, which has some interesting options.

Read Full Comparison: Chase vs TD Bank: Which Bank Suits You Best?

Chase and Capital One both have banking product lines that compete with traditional high street banks.

Capital One also has a competitive advantage in terms of checking accounts. The Capital One checking account is not only fee-free, but you can also earn interest on your account balance. Chase's checking account does not pay interest, and you must meet certain requirements to have the $12 monthly fee waived.

However, when you open a qualifying account, Chase will give you a welcome bonus, and its checking account has some nice features such as paperless statements for up to seven years and checking account upgrade options.

Read Full Comparison: Chase vs Capital One: Compare Banking Options

The Discover checking account is more traditional. While the account does not pay interest, you can earn 1% cash back on debit card purchases. There are also no fees if you require a replacement debit card, have a deposit item returned, or have insufficient funds in your account.

Chase offers a wide range of banking products, including savings accounts, checking accounts, home loans, home equity options, auto loans, and a wide range of credit cards. In addition, Chase's customer service system is quite extensive.

Read Full Comparison: Discover vs Chase: Which Bank Account Suits You Best?

Checking Accounts Reviews

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann's areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.