Best Premium Checking Accounts [2025]: Which Has the Right Perks for You?

When I opened my bank account, there were a few key things I looked for, including low minimum balance requirements and few fees. I didn't really need any account holder perks since I don't keep much money in my checking account. Since my needs were simple, a basic account was right for me, but there's an alternative: a premium checking account.

Opening a premium checking account is a little like flying first class. You get more perks, but you also have to commit more money — in this case, in the form of higher minimum balance requirements and monthly maintenance fees. Plus, while airlines reward loyalty with added upgrades, many banks do as well, and the higher your balance, the more perks you may get.

So, is a premium checking account worth upgrading to? Some of the best premium checking accounts, such as those through Chase, Citi, and Wells Fargo, offer perks that can save you money, reward you with interest, or even provide valuable financial advice. Consider their requirements and features to determine if one is right for you.

What is a premium checking account?

Premium checking accounts offer more than just basic functionality and features. They're higher-tier accounts that cater to customers who want added services beyond just a place to park their cash and those who are willing to pay for it.

If you open a premium checking account, you may earn interest at a higher rate than a typical interest checking account. You may also benefit from having certain fees waived, such as overdraft or out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees, or receiving other special perks.

However, you'd better have deep pockets as you may have to maintain a high minimum balance or pay a high monthly maintenance fee. Plus, your benefits may be contingent on depositing a lot of cash. The good news is that premium checking accounts also often count money in affiliated investment accounts, so more people may qualify for them than you'd think.

Bank account name	Best for …	Important Features
Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking1 <p>Additional terms and conditions apply. See <a href="https://promo.bankofamerica.com/">offer page</a> for more details.</p>	Loyal customers	Waived fees on certain banking products and interest rate/rewards boosts on others $25 monthly fee, which is waivable Bonus credit card rewards
HSBC Premier Checking	Families interested in global travel benefits	Premier status for you and four family members $50 monthly fee, which is waivable Overseas account support and no foreign transaction fees
Chase Private Client Checking	Business owners and affluent individuals	Access to financial advisors and wealth planning tools $35 monthly fee, which is waivable2 <p>$15 Monthly Service Fee OR $0 with one of the following, each monthly statement period: </p> <p>Electronic deposits made into this account totaling $500 or more, such as payments from payroll providers or government benefit providers, by using (i) the ACH network, (ii) the Real Time Payment network, or (iii) third party services that facilitate payments to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network,</p> <p> OR a balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more in this account,</p> <p> OR an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of this account and linked qualifying Chase checking, savings, and other balances.</p> No ATM fees worldwide
Citi Citigold Checking	Frequent travelers	Travel perks, including Citigold lounges and no foreign transaction fees No monthly fee with the Citigold relationship tier Minimum average monthly balance of $200,000 to retain the Citigold tier
Wells Fargo Premier Checking3 <p>Learn More. Member FDIC.</p>	Travelers looking for personalized service	Interest rate discounts on mortgage loans and preferred interest rates on other financial products $35 monthly fee, which is waivable4 <p>The Premier Checking account has a $35 monthly service fee. The fee can be avoided each period with $250,000 or more in statement-ending qualifying linked accounts.</p> Very low annual percentage yield (APY)
PNC Virtual Wallet® with Performance Select5 <p>Offer is contingent on product availability and may vary based on where you open your account and the Zip code of your primary address. For online or phone origination, the Zip code of your primary address will be used to determine product availability. You may earn a $400 reward if you open and use a new Virtual Wallet with Performance Select, a $200 reward if you open and use a new Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend, or a $100 reward if you open and use a new Virtual Wallet. If you change your Virtual Wallet product type after account opening, the product type that you are in on the last business day of the month in which you opened your account will determine your offer eligibility, terms and corresponding reward amount, if applicable.</p> <p>To qualify for the reward, the new Virtual Wallet product must be opened online via the application links on this page from 01/03/2024 through 7/01/2024, and a qualifying Direct deposit(s) must be received within the first 60 days. Your Virtual Wallet product must remain open in order for you to receive the reward, which will be credited to the eligible account within 60–90 days after all conditions have been met and will be identified as Credits Check Reward on your monthly statement.</p> <p>A qualifying Direct Deposit for this offer, is defined as a recurring Direct Deposit of a paycheck, pension, Social Security or other regular monthly income electronically deposited by an employer or an outside agency into the Spend account of a Virtual Wallet with Performance Select, Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend, or Virtual Wallet. The total amount of all qualifying Direct Deposits credited to your Spend account must be at least $5,000 for Virtual Wallet with Performance Select, $2,000 for Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend or $500 for Virtual Wallet. Credit card cash advance transfers, wire transfers, person to person transfers, transfers from one account to another or deposits made at a physical PNC location or ATM do not qualify as qualifying Direct Deposits.</p> <p>New account will not be eligible for offer if you or any signer on the new account has an existing PNC Bank consumer checking account or has closed an account within the past 90 days, or has been paid a PNC promotional premium in the past 24 months. If multiple accounts are opened with the same signers, only one account will be eligible for the premium. Trust, Estate and other specialty titled accounts are excluded from this offer. Offer may be extended, modified or discontinued at any time and may vary by market. The value of the reward may be reported on the appropriate Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forms, and may be considered taxable income to you. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your specific situation.</p>	Customers who like the Spend/Reserve/Growth format	0.01%-0.05% (as of 12/16/24) APY on the Growth account6 <p class="">The product and annual percentage yield (APY) data displayed on this website is gathered from various sources and may not reflect all of the offers available in your area. Although we strive to provide the most accurate data possible, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Always verify account details and availability with the financial institution before opening an account.<br></p> $25 monthly fee, which is waivable No PNC fees for out-of-network ATMs

Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking

Bank of America's Advantage Relationship Banking is a good choice if you plan to stay within the Bank of America line for most of your financial life.

When you meet the $20,000 minimum balance requirement to qualify for monthly fee-free Advantage Relationship Banking, this also qualifies you for Preferred Rewards. That means you get rewards bonuses on Bank of America credit cards, discounted home equity loan rates, reduced origination fees on mortgage loans, and a boosted savings account rate.

Outside of these bank-specific perks, Advantage Relationship Banking lacks other notable features, including travel benefits and certain financial planning services that other accounts offer. Still, if you're a Bank of America loyalist, the boosted interest rates, lowered loan fees, and extra credit card rewards can make this bank an ideal choice.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.

Visit Bank of America Advantage Checking | Learn more in our Bank of America review

HSBC Premier Checking

HSBC Premier Checking is an ideal choice for digital nomads. You'll enjoy many benefits, including no foreign transaction fees on purchases with your Premier Debit World Mastercard, overseas account opening support, and easy funds transfers across the globe. Your family can also enjoy these perks as Premier Status is shareable with up to four family members.

Accessing these benefits can be easier than with some competitors. You need a minimum combined balance of $100,000 across eligible accounts (less than half of what some require), $5,000 in monthly direct deposits, or a U.S. residential mortgage with HSBC. Unfortunately, if you can't waive the fee, it's $50, which is much higher than the other options on this list.

HSBC has also received some poor reviews online. However, it does promise priority service to Premier Checking customers, so you may have a better time than the standard customer if you need assistance with your banking issues.

Visit HSBC Premier Checking

Chase Private Client Checking

Chase Private Client Checking is an ideal option for business owners seeking access to the benefits of the Chase Platinum Business Checking account. It's also useful for affluent account holders who have $150,000 or more to deposit and want to access financial planning help through J.P. Morgan's wealth management services.

While the $35 monthly service fee is higher than some competitors charge, it's waivable if you have $150,000 spread across qualifying accounts or a linked Chase Platinum Business Checking account. You also receive many perks, including priority service when you need other support; no ATM fees worldwide; no Chase fees on wire transfers; and higher limits on Zelle transfers, ATM withdrawals, and mobile deposits.

Unfortunately, the overdraft protection offered is very limited, as you'll only avoid overdraft fees up to four days per year.⁹ <p>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.</p> And, while some banks offer boosted interest rates on other financial products, including savings accounts as well as interest rate discounts on home loans, Chase's relationship perks are more limited with discounts only available on auto loans.

Learn more in our Chase Bank review.

Citi Citigold Checking

If you're a frequent traveler, you'll love the Citigold Checking Account because of its extensive travel-related perks. Not only will you avoid foreign transaction and foreign ATM fees, but Citi will also reimburse you for an unlimited amount in ATM fees that other banks charge you.

World Wallet Currency Exchange is another unique feature that offers next-business-day delivery of foreign currencies right to your home or office. Plus, you can score a 15% discount on Mastercard Airport Concierge, which offers features like baggage help and fast-tracked customs clearance.

Beyond the travel benefits, you also get complimentary financial planning help, preferred pricing on mortgages, and increased daily limits on ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases.

Of course, you need to maintain a $200,000 balance to stay on the Citigold tier, which is higher than many competitors require for their premium bank accounts. The good news is that there's no monthly service fee.

Wells Fargo Premier Checking

Wells Fargo Premier Checking offers plenty of travel benefits, including a discount on foreign currency bought through Wells Fargo and no fees on ATM withdrawals worldwide. You also won't pay fees for international debit card purchases.

Plus, there are other account benefits if you sign up for Premier Checking, including access to a dedicated Premier team that is ready to partner with you to help you achieve your financial objectives. Wells Fargo also provides Premier Checking account holders with rewards bonuses for opening select credit cards and offers discounts on mortgages and loans.

Unfortunately, Wells Fargo doesn't offer the best savings account rates or the best checking account rates. If you want to have your checking and savings accounts with the same bank and earn a reasonable return, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Learn more in our Wells Fargo review.

PNC Virtual Wallet® with Performance Select

PNC's Virtual Wallet is a unique product offering that makes managing money easier by providing integrated access to multiple accounts, including Spend, Reserve, and Growth. While the Growth account unfortunately offers a lower interest rate than many competitors' high-yield savings accounts, many find that these separate account buckets make tracking goals easier.

PNC also makes it easier to waive your monthly maintenance fee compared with other premium checking accounts. However, it also offers fewer features, including travel-related perks.

The bank has a large ATM network and over 2,000 branches, so in-person support is available. Unfortunately, you're limited in the amount of surcharges you can get reimbursed when using an out-of-network ATM. Still, with so many ATMs available, this may not be a huge concern.

Learn more in our PNC Bank Virtual Wallet review.

How to choose the right premium checking account

Premium checking accounts aren't all created equal, so it's important to know how to compare your options and find the one that's right for you. Here are some key questions to ask yourself to select the right premium checking account.

• Can you meet the opening deposit requirements? Some premium checking accounts require you to deposit a substantial sum to get the account started.
• Can you meet the minimum balance requirements? You may need to keep tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to waive fees or maintain your account tier and its perks. Be sure you have enough funds.
• Can you meet the other requirements to open an account? Banks have age limits and often require U.S. citizenship. The good news is that it's easy to find a bank with no credit check as most banks don't require a review of your credit report to open an account.
• Which accounts count towards meeting your requirements? It's much easier to meet large minimum balance requirements if the bank also allows you to include money in affiliated savings and investment accounts.
• How much is the monthly fee? Most premium checking accounts come with monthly fees if you don't qualify to waive them. Find out both what you must do to avoid the maintenance fee and how much the fee costs in case you ever must pay it.
• What perks suit your lifestyle? Premium checking accounts may offer features such as waived ATM fees, no foreign transaction fees, or access to wealth management advisors. Consider what perks you're interested in accessing through your banking relationship.
• Do the perks justify the cost? You'll want to confirm that the benefits and perks you're getting cover the cost of any monthly maintenance fees you must pay.
• Is the bank accessible? Do you have local branches nearby? Are there many ATMs where you can access your funds?
• Does the bank have a good reputation? Check whether the bank has solid customer service reviews and whether it has been the subject of any regulatory actions.
• Do online and mobile banking work well? You'll want to ensure that you can access the features you need online, such as mobile check deposit and account transfers.

FAQs

Bottom line

Premium checking accounts are a good option if you need special features, such as waived ATM fees, reduced interest rates on loans, and travel perks. However, you'll need to do your research carefully to find out if a premium option is the best checking account for you. You can also consider some of the easiest bank accounts to open online.

Methodology

To select the best premium checking accounts, we reviewed dozens of banks offering this type of account. We compared fees and waiver options, travel-related perks (if applicable), and other benefits provided to account holders. We also reviewed minimum balance requirements to assess accessibility. The goal was to find premium checking accounts that provided the best value for the money to ensure they're both reasonable to qualify for and worth the effort.

Learn More

Offer Ends Soon: Earn a $500 Direct Deposit Cash Bonus when you open an HSBC Premier checking account by September 30, 2025 and set up recurring monthly direct deposits⁸ <p>Qualifying direct deposits are electronic deposits of regular periodic payments (such as salary, pension, Social Security, or other regular monthly income) deposited through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network to this account by your employer or an outside agency (please check with your employer or outside agency to determine if they use the ACH network). Direct deposits that do not qualify include but are not limited to transfers from one account to another, mobile deposits, or deposits made at a Wealth Center or ATM.</p> of $10,000 or more for 3 consecutive months.

Get access to wealth solutions, insights and advice from an HSBC Wealth Relationship Manager through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

Share your Premier status with up to four family members.

Pay no foreign transaction fees on your purchases when you use the HSBC Premier Debit World Mastercard® card.