Unexpected $500 Billing Charge – Need Help Understanding and Resolving

Question

Hello,

I recently noticed a $500 charge on my Azure account, which seems to be a billing mistake. I need help understanding this charge and resolving it if it’s an error.

However, I am facing an issue with accessing Help + Support in the Azure Portal:

• I am currently on the Developer support plan, but I found that the Help + Support portal is locked for me, meaning I cannot submit a support request directly.
• I initially thought Developer tier included technical support, but it appears I do not have access to the Help + Support feature, leaving me unsure how to contact Azure Billing Support.

Key Details:

• Subscription Type: Microsoft Azure Sponsorship
• Billing Issue: Unexpected $500 charge
• Support Plan: Developer (but no Help + Support access)
• Access Problem: I am unable to open a billing support request because the Help + Support section is restricted in the portal.
• Objective: I need help escalating this billing issue and understanding how Developer support users are expected to get assistance when Help + Support is inaccessible.

What is the correct process for reaching Azure Billing Support or resolving billing disputes when Help + Support is not available under the Developer plan?
Any guidance or clarification would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Expand the menu on the left, and go the bottom:

That should work I hope.

But before you actually open a support request, I recommend that you go to your subscription and select Cost Analysis:

There is plenty of information to dig around there, and you may find the cause for the $500 bill yourself.

Answer 2

@Cample I see this as two issues. The first issue is you not being able to open a billing ticket. The second issue is gaining clarity around the Azure Developer support plan.

In regard to the first issue, can you please share a screenshot with us on what your portal experience looks like? You should be able to create a billing support ticket to receive assistance on your billing matter. I want to ensure this is the case.

Secondly, we understand you have questions about the Developer support plan and how to engage with Microsoft Support Engineers to receive answers to your technical questions.

Microsoft Q&A is our first party question and answer platform where enthusiasts, MVPs, and other community experts can engage. On February 12th, the developer support plan that you have purchased also ensures a new experience where you receive business hours access to Support Engineers on Microsoft Q&A with prioritized responses, as the first line of support.

We would be more than happy to assist you with any technical questions you have here on Q&A. See here for more details on the SLA and subscription benefits).

Answer 3

Hi Cample,

Create your billing support request via Cost Management instead of Help + Support.

Please create a new billing support request using my instructions below. Following my instructions will allow you to create request and discuss the $500 with a support engineer.

Billing support requests are free of charge. The key is to not click on any of the recommended solutions and finish creating request.

Use this link to start the process:

https://portal.azure.com/#view/Microsoft_Azure_CostManagement/Menu/~/support/openedBy/AzurePortal

NOTE: The link above should take you to Cost Management -- Help -- New support request blade in the Azure portal. If for some reason the link doesn't work you can navigate there manually.

Fill out Issue type: Billing, Summary, Problem type, Problem subtype, click Next. There will be a delay, then some recommended solutions will be shown. DO NOT CLICK on any of the recommended options shown.

In the upper left corner, click Return to support request

Click Next to move to Additional details tab, fill out required information, email/phone, etc., click Next, review details and submit case. After submitting you should receive an automated email with a few minutes and a support engineer should contact you within 1 business day.

Please click Accept Answer and upvote if the above was useful. If something is unclear and/or you have difficulties creating the support case please add comment below

Thanks.

-TP