Chase Total Checking Offer: $400 Cash Bonus for New Accounts

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Chase Total Checking® Account

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• Intro Bonus $400Expires April 15, 2026 More Info

  New Chase checking customers enjoy a $400 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.

Chase Total Checking® is among the best entry-level accounts. It typically offers new customers a sign-up bonus, and it’s fairly simple to waive the monthly fee. However, it's worth noting that it doesn’t offer many valuable features or benefits and it’s not an interest-bearing checking account.

A Quality Entry-Level Account With a Nice Bonus

Chase Total Checking® is a solid beginner’s checking account for those who don’t need more than the most basic banking features. While you may not get the special perks of premium accounts, you can benefit from overdraft protection in case you accidentally overdraw and Chase’s wide network of fee-free ATMs. There is no minimum deposit to get your account set up and the monthly maintenance fee is easy to waive. New customers can also earn a $400 bonus when they open a new account and receive qualifying direct deposits. 

$400 Sign-Up Bonus

One good reason to consider getting a new Chase Total Checking account is its $400 welcome bonus, which is quite generous when compared with other bank bonuses. Bank account bonuses aren't exactly rare, but some of them require you to jump through a lot of hoops. Chase Total Checking, on the other hand, is refreshingly straightforward.

Here’s what you need to do to get the Chase Total Checking account bonus: 

1. Open an account as a new Chase checking customer by April 15, 2026.
2. Be sure to apply through the welcome bonus landing page to have the promotion added to your account or to request a coupon via email.
3. Receive at least $1,000 in direct deposits (which could include a paycheck, pension or government-issued benefit) within 90 days of coupon enrollment. 
4. Once you've done that, you'll earn the bonus within 15 days.

To earn the bonus within the specified timeline, you only need to receive about $334 in direct deposits a month; if you receive biweekly paychecks, that could be just $167.

The bonus promotion expires on April 15, 2026 but don't worry if you miss out on this run. The bank has done several versions of the deal in the past. We'll keep you updated on any bonus changes.

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Benefits and Features

The Chase Total Checking account offers a lot of features, especially for a fairly basic account: 

• Overdraft protection: No overdraft fees if you overdraw by $50 or less at the end of the business day, or if you overdraw more than $50 and can bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day.
• Convenient locations: When you bank with one of the largest banks in the U.S., you get quick access to your cash from just about any location nationwide—Chase offers 14,000 ATMs and over 5,000 branches. Chase Total Checking is available online nationwide with the exception of Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
• User-friendly mobile tools: While Chase is a brick-and-mortar bank, it does have highly rated and user-friendly apps for both iOS and Android. You can use the Chase mobile app to manage your accounts, deposit checks remotely, find branches and ATMs and transfer money. Customers can also send and request funds via Zelle, use online bill pay tools, and receive paperless statements.
• Chip and cardless technology: In addition to being able to use a debit card for purchases, customers can add their Chase debit card to their digital wallets for cardless transactions.

Fees

Here’s a quick look at some of the common fees you might encounter with this account:

• Monthly maintenance: $15
• Non-Chase ATM transaction: $3
• International ATM withdrawal: $5
• International transfers and inquiries: $3
• International exchange fee: 3%
• Overdraft fee: $0-$34^‡
• Incoming wire transfer: $15
• Outgoing domestic wire: $25-$35
• Outgoing international wire: $0-$50

‡ With Chase Overdraft Assist^SM, 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.

If you’re looking for lower checking account fees, you can take a look at online banks, which have less overhead and therefore less fees usually. But note that they don’t offer the in-person services that come with brick-and-mortar banks like Chase.

How to Waive the Monthly Fee

This Chase account comes with a $15 monthly service fee but you can get that fee waived in one of three ways:

1. Monthly direct deposit: Have direct deposits totaling $500 or more in new money each monthly statement period
2. Maintain daily balance: Have a daily balance of at least $1,500 at the beginning of each day
3. Average balance from linked Accounts: Have an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of linked qualifying Chase checking, savings and other accounts

Drawbacks

A Chase Total Checking account isn't right for everyone. Consider both the advantages and disadvantages of getting one. Here are some important considerations when deciding whether to open an account:

• Has a monthly fee: This account's monthly service fee is relatively easy to waive, especially if you have regular direct deposit, but some accounts don’t have a monthly service fee to navigate at all.
• Doesn’t earn interest: Many checking accounts don’t earn interest, but more do these days, so if you want that feature, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
• Non-Chase ATM fee: Chase has thousands of ATMs you can use for free, but if they aren’t convenient to your location and you use an out-of-network machine, you will have to pay for it.
• Overdraft fees: The overdraft fees are a bit high compared to some accounts, so it’s something to know if you’re worried about managing your account balance. However, Chase won’t charge the fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or overdrawn by more than $50 but you bring your balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day.

Alternatives to Chase Total Checking

If you're not quite sure that a Chase Total Checking account is right for you, there are plenty of great alternatives to consider.

Bank Account	Monthly maintenance fee	Intro Bonus	Learn More
SoFi® Checking and Savings Open Account Member FDIC Member FDIC	$0	$50-$300Expires January 31, 2026 More Info New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.	Open Account
Chase Secure Banking℠ Checking Account Open Account	$4.95 with options to waive More Info $4.95 Monthly Service Fee or $0 when you have $250+ in qualifying electronic deposits during each monthly statement period.	$125Expires March 27, 2026 More Info New Chase checking customers enjoy a $125 checking account bonus when you open a Chase Secure BankingSM account with qualifying transactions. Qualifying transactions include debit card purchases, Zelle®, ACH credits, Chase QuickDepositSM or online bill payments. Your bonus will appear in your account within 15 days after completing the qualifying transactions.	Open Account
U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking Account (Member FDIC) Open Account	$12 More Info Account holders can have the monthly fee waived by meeting one of the following requirements: have combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,500 or more; keep a minimum average account balance of $1,500 or more; own an eligible Small Business Checking account; customer is in Smart Rewards® Gold Tier or above; hold a U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card; is part of one of the following customer groups: Youth, Young Adult, Senior, Military and more.	Up to $450Expires January 28, 2026 More Info Earn up to $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through January 28, 2026. Member FDIC. Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint.	Open Account
CIT Bank Savings Connect Account Open Account	$0	N/A	Open Account

Is Chase Total Checking Right for You?

The Chase Total Checking account could be right for you if you’re able to waive the monthly fee without effort and can qualify for the $400 Chase bonus. And if you prefer in-person service that’s available across most of the U.S., Chase should be on your list of contenders.

But if you don’t want to jump through hoops to get the monthly fee waived or are looking for an account with fewer fees or even one that earns interest, you could be better off looking at the best online banks, like Axos or SoFi, for a better fit. Take time to consider all of your options and check out our list of the safest banks in the U.S., especially if you prefer the big brick-and-mortar banks.

Ready to open a Chase Total Checking Account? Start here.

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FAQs

• Is Chase Total Checking free?

  No, Total Checking is not free. Chase charges a $15 monthly maintenance fee to use this account but it can be waived by meeting one of several requirements.

• How do you waive Chase Total Checking's monthly fee?

  To waive the monthly fee, you can either keep a daily minimum of $1,500 in the account or receive $500 in direct deposits to the account. You can also avoid paying the fee with a combined daily average of $5,000 across all your Chase accounts.

• Does Chase Bank pay interest on the Chase Total Checking account?

  No, the Chase Total Checking is not an interest-bearing account, so any balance on the account will not earn interest.

• Can you open a second checking account with Chase?

  Yes, you can have multiple Chase checking accounts. There is no set limit on the number of accounts you can open, but to qualify for the bonus offer, you must be a new Chase checking customer.