Why is my Azure bill $2000 and why is the billing so complicated?

Question

Why is my Azure bill $2000 and why is the billing so complicated?

Sacha B 116

I got billed $2000 recently for Azure. I have used the services for years at a usual $200 to $300 bill. Now all of a sudden it is $2000. I need someone to contact me ASAP.

Sacha B 116 Reputation points

2024-01-11T23:00:48.7733333+00:00

Also, what is this charge for "1-4 vCPU VM License" $297.57 added on top of a A1-v2 $43.36 VM? Is this a monthly license for Windows?
Sacha B 116 Reputation points

2024-01-11T23:20:17.93+00:00

At this point, it would be cheaper to set up my own servers at home to run these services via a proxy vs. $2000 per month.
TP 126.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2024-01-11T23:39:17.1266667+00:00

The "1-4 vCPU VM License" is likely SQL Server Standard - 1-4 vCPU VM SKU for the month. You can see this in the portal if you navigate to your subscription, on left click Billing profile invoices, click on the invoice, then look at Product SKU column. When you have SQL Server on Azure VM you either pay for license on your Azure bill, or if you already have appropriate SQL Server license with software assurance or similar you can utilize Azure Hybrid Benefit (AHB). With AHB you are not charged for the SQL Server license since you already own license.
Sacha B 116 Reputation points

2024-01-11T23:46:20.86+00:00

How do I get a refund for the $300 in unused Azure Baston services that were somehow added to some VMs? I will just use Remote Desktop.
TP 126.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2024-01-11T23:53:17.3733333+00:00

How do I get a refund for the $300 in unused Azure Baston services that were somehow added to some VMs? I will just use Remote Desktop.

You can create a new billing support request using the instructions I gave you and request a refund. I don't know if they will give you a refund or not, but that is the process.
Sacha B 116 Reputation points

2024-01-11T23:57:39.6866667+00:00

Do I really need to pay for a full SQL Server license per month to get SQL Server access?
This is for a small zero-profit website written in VB.Net that must run on SQL Server and cannot use Azure SQL.
TP 126.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2024-01-12T00:38:21.9+00:00

Do I really need to pay for a full SQL Server license per month to get SQL Server access?
This is for a small zero-profit website written in VB.Net that must run on SQL Server and cannot use Azure SQL.

You may not need Standard. Perhaps SQL Server Express Edition would work fine for your needs? Or maybe SQL Server Web Edition. You will need to review the SQL Server license agreement and related documents as well as consider the limitations of each edition to know for sure.

Accepted answer

1 additional answer

Your answer

Sacha B 116 Reputation points

2024-01-11T23:00:48.7733333+00:00

Also, what is this charge for "1-4 vCPU VM License" $297.57 added on top of a A1-v2 $43.36 VM? Is this a monthly license for Windows?
Sacha B 116 Reputation points

2024-01-11T23:20:17.93+00:00

At this point, it would be cheaper to set up my own servers at home to run these services via a proxy vs. $2000 per month.
TP 126.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2024-01-11T23:39:17.1266667+00:00

The "1-4 vCPU VM License" is likely SQL Server Standard - 1-4 vCPU VM SKU for the month. You can see this in the portal if you navigate to your subscription, on left click Billing profile invoices, click on the invoice, then look at Product SKU column. When you have SQL Server on Azure VM you either pay for license on your Azure bill, or if you already have appropriate SQL Server license with software assurance or similar you can utilize Azure Hybrid Benefit (AHB). With AHB you are not charged for the SQL Server license since you already own license.
Sacha B 116 Reputation points

2024-01-11T23:46:20.86+00:00

How do I get a refund for the $300 in unused Azure Baston services that were somehow added to some VMs? I will just use Remote Desktop.
TP 126.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2024-01-11T23:53:17.3733333+00:00

How do I get a refund for the $300 in unused Azure Baston services that were somehow added to some VMs? I will just use Remote Desktop.

You can create a new billing support request using the instructions I gave you and request a refund. I don't know if they will give you a refund or not, but that is the process.
Sacha B 116 Reputation points

2024-01-11T23:57:39.6866667+00:00

Do I really need to pay for a full SQL Server license per month to get SQL Server access?
This is for a small zero-profit website written in VB.Net that must run on SQL Server and cannot use Azure SQL.
TP 126.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2024-01-12T00:38:21.9+00:00

Do I really need to pay for a full SQL Server license per month to get SQL Server access?
This is for a small zero-profit website written in VB.Net that must run on SQL Server and cannot use Azure SQL.

You may not need Standard. Perhaps SQL Server Express Edition would work fine for your needs? Or maybe SQL Server Web Edition. You will need to review the SQL Server license agreement and related documents as well as consider the limitations of each edition to know for sure.

Answer 1

Hi,

Please create a new billing support request using instructions below.

Use this link to start the process:

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

Fill out 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

azure support request 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 or you are having trouble creating the support case add a comment.

Thanks.

-TP

Answer 2

Dillon Silzer 57,831 Volunteer Moderator

Hi Sacha, For future reference I'd recommend building in triggers for budget:

Configure actual costs budget alerts

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/tutorial-acm-create-budgets#configure-actual-costs-budget-alerts

To work with support on this issue, you need to create a ticket:

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-ca/support/create-ticket

If this is helpful please accept answer.

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Why is my Azure bill $2000 and why is the billing so complicated?

1 additional answer

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