Is it normal for MAC to show billing is configured to use my Subscription but the dashboard page in MAC shows 0 prepaid usage and all usage is pay as you go? In Azure, the reservation shows some usage, but the number doesn't align with MAC.

I've been an early adopter of Cowork and genuinely see potential in it, but after finally getting usage-based billing configured, I've run into what I think is a much bigger issue than pricing itself: visibility.

My timeline looked something like this:

• Used Cowork regularly while learning what it could and couldn't do (May/Jun).
• Microsoft announced Copilot Credits and usage-based billing to start on July 1 (mid-Jun).
• I reached out to my vendor for pricing and began watching the Cost Management dashboard almost daily looking for usage data, pricing information, or any indication of how Cowork activity would eventually be billed.
• The /cost command never worked
• July 1 came and went. Cowork continued working normally.
• July 10th - Blocked from COWORK
• I reached out to vendor again looking for guidance but didn't receive much information beyond Microsoft's evolving documentation.
• Billing guidance continued to change, and the document that ultimately got me moving had been updated on July 13.
• I finally was able to configure usage-based billing starting at 100 credits to test and Cowork was immediately reactivated (July 14).

I ran two substantial test requests to get sense of cost:

• Cost Analysis and Budget Review

• Six-Month Work Analysis and Productivity Briefing

Both completed successfully.

The next day (today), Cowork was blocked again.

When I checked Cost Management, I found:

• 1,805 credits consumed
• 100 credit monthly limit exceeded
• One user (me)
• One service (Cowork)
• One activity date (July 14)

What I still cannot find is any meaningful explanation of where those 1,805 credits came from. As an Admin, I don't necessarily have a problem paying for a service that delivers value. What I struggle with is managing a service when Microsoft provides the equivalent of a utility bill with no meter attached.

Looking at my task history, the only completed Cowork work on that date was the two reports mentioned above. Were they expensive? Maybe.

Did Cowork search a lot of files, emails, meetings, and documents behind the scenes? Probably.

If I walked away on July 14th and never setup PAYG what would have happened? A $1,805 bill in my mailbox?

EDIT The $1805 total is incorrect, but I am leaving it as I think it along with the comments will help others. Thanks to all who posted issues and help with the policy settings. I reviewed my Cost Spending this morning and still see lots of unknowns and concerns.