Marketplace rewards update: Azure sponsorship now supported on more MCA billing profiles

On this page4 sections

1. What’s changing
2. Important considerations
3. Why this matters
4. Next steps

We’re pleased to share an update that simplifies how partners in Marketplace Rewards can use Azure Sponsorship credits if they or their customers have Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) billing profiles.

Impacted audience

Partners and customers receiving Azure sponsorship through Marketplace Rewards.

What’s changing

For Global Cloud, partners can now redeem their Azure Sponsorship credits on an MCA billing profile that had any Azure Credit Offer (ACO) credits applied. Previously, the presence of current or past ACO on the billing profile prevented sponsorship credit redemption. This blocker is removed, reducing friction for partners and customers using MCA billing profiles.

Important considerations

While this update expands eligibility, the following rules still apply:

• This change only applies to partners and customers receiving Azure sponsorship through Marketplace Rewards.
• A billing profile can't have more than one active sponsorship redeemed at the same time.
• This change doesn't alter other Azure sponsorship eligibility requirements or limitations.

Why this matters

Partners have consistently raised challenges with redeeming sponsorship credits on MCA billing profiles, particularly for Marketplace Rewards. This improvement streamlines benefit delivery and helps partners make the most of their Azure sponsorship with fewer billing profile constraints.

We encourage partners and customers receiving Azure Sponsorship from Marketplace Rewards to use sponsorship on their MCA billing profile.

Next steps

If you're receiving Azure Sponsorship from Marketplace Rewards, use sponsorship on your MCA billing profile.