Consumer advocacy group Choice has announced the recipients of its 2026 Shonky awards, highlighting what it says are some of Australia’s worst products and services. The awards are in their 21st year and are based partly on feedback from consumers, according to Choice chief executive Monique Perry.
Virgin received an award over the expiry rules for credits issued to customers whose flights were cancelled between 2020 and 2022. Choice said customers had to book by 30 June this year and travel before 27 May 2027, leaving $75m in credits unused and returning that money to the airline’s bottom line.
Virgin said more than 93% of Covid-related credits had been redeemed. The airline said it had extended the credits several times and regularly communicated their expiry dates, including extending the travel deadline to 27 May 2027.
Ticketmaster and Ticketek were recognised for pricing practices Choice described as unfair, including dynamic pricing and “in demand” seats. Choice cited John Farnham tribute concert tickets sold through Ticketek, where “Ultimate” tickets cost $1,650. The organisation clarified that those tickets were not subject to variable pricing. It also said some NRL tickets sold through Ticketmaster in 2026 were labelled “in demand” and cost $50 more than regular seats despite being close to them.
Ticketmaster said event organisers set ticket prices and denied using surge pricing or algorithms that automatically raise prices in response to real-time demand. It said organisers may set sought-after seats closer to market value and review those prices during sales.
Choice also criticised Hisense’s description of a washer/dryer as “super energy efficient”. It said the energy rating for the 2025 Series 8i heat pump combo model could be achieved only using a 13.5-hour eco drying cycle and a 728-minute wash cycle, adding up to more than 25 hours. Hisense said its displayed rating followed the Australian government’s regulated Energy Rating Scheme and applicable testing requirements. Perry said manufacturers can nominate which program is assessed, often selecting one with the best efficiency result rather than one households are likely to use.
Other award recipients included Petcover, which Choice said sells an “economy” pet insurance policy that is renewed as a new policy every 12 months. According to Choice, this means conditions a pet has previously experienced can be treated as pre-existing and excluded from cover.
Quest was criticised for the price of its protein chips. Choice said its nacho cheese chips cost more than $20 per 100g, compared with $2.06 per 100g for Doritos of the same flavour. While Quest’s chips contain more protein, Perry said there are cheaper and simpler ways to increase protein intake.
Sony also received a Shonky for the licensing terms attached to digital movies and games. Choice said customers buy a licence to access the content rather than owning it, and that access can be withdrawn without a refund. It pointed to Sony’s decision to end a licensing agreement with Studio Canal in the UK and Europe, which Choice said led to 500 purchased movies being removed from customers’ digital libraries.
Choice said public criticism can sometimes prompt companies to act. Perry cited Commonwealth Bank’s 2025 commitment to refund $68m in fees after receiving a Shonky award over charges to low-income customers. She said Choice would like consumers to recover Virgin’s unused $75m in flight credits or be given unlimited time to use them.
Sources: The Guardian World.