Choice names Virgin, Ticketmaster, and Sony in 2026 Shonky Awards

Consumer Group Choice Names 2026 Shonky Award Winners Amid Cost-of-Living Squeeze

Consumer advocacy group Choice announced its 21st annual Shonky awards, placing companies including Virgin Australia, Ticketmaster, Ticketek, Hisense, Quest, Petcover, and Sony on its dishonour roll for products and services exploiting customers during a severe cost-of-living crisis. Reported that the awards highlight businesses imposing steep price tags, restrictive terms, and misleading efficiency claims on everyday shoppers.

Virgin Australia secured a Shonky gong for imposing strict deadlines on customers holding flight credits issued for cancelled trips between 2020 and 2022. Travellers had to book trips by 30 June this year and use credits for flights taking off before 27 May 2027. Choice stated that the rules resulted in $75m of unused credits returning directly to the airline’s bottom line. A Virgin Australia spokesperson defended the policy, stating that more than 93% of Covid credits were redeemed by guests and that the airline communicated expiry dates while extending the fly-by date.

Ticketing Giants Face Backlash Over Dynamic Pricing Tactics

Ticketmaster and Ticketek received Shonky awards for using dynamic pricing and “in demand” seats to inflate ticket prices for live events. John Farnham fans logging on to Ticketek for a tribute concert faced variable prices with “Ultimate” tickets costing $1,650. Similarly, NRL supporters buying tickets through Ticketmaster reported “in demand” seats selling for $50 more than regular seats just one row and one bay apart. A Ticketmaster spokesperson stated the company does not use surge pricing algorithms and that event organisers set prices closer to market value. The Albanese government promised to restrict dynamic pricing in 2024, but omitted prohibitions from new unfair trading laws scheduled to take effect in 2027.

Energy-Efficient Appliances and High-Priced Protein Snacks Draw Scrutiny

White-goods manufacturer Hisense received a Shonky for advertising a washer/dryer model as super energy efficient. Choice reported that the 2025 Series 8i heat pump combo washer/dryer achieves its energy rating only by using a 13.5-hour eco dry cycle and a 728-minute wash cycle, totaling more than 25 hours for a single wash and dry. A Hisense spokesperson responded that energy ratings comply with the Australian government’s regulated Energy Rating Scheme and Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards requirements. Choice chief executive officer, Monique Perry, described the ratings as gaming a broken system where manufacturers nominate the most efficient test program rather than practical household cycles.

Other winners included Quest for selling protein chips at a heavy mark-up, with nacho cheese protein chips priced over $20 per 100g—886% more expensive than standard Doritos. Petcover earned a Shonky for an economy insurance policy that issues a new policy every 12 months, classifying all previous pet conditions as pre-existing and excluding them from coverage. Sony received an award after revealing that PlayStation customers only buy digital licenses to movies and games rather than owning the content, leading to the removal of 500 digital movies in Europe without refunds when licensing agreements ended.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Shonky Awards

How does Choice select companies for the Shonky awards?

Choice decides which products and services to consider based on consumer feedback.

What happened to the unspent Virgin Australia flight credits?

Choice reported that $75m worth of unused credits went unused and were returned to Virgin’s bottom line after customers missed strict rebooking deadlines.

Why did Sony remove movies from customer digital libraries?

Sony ended its licensing agreement with Studio Canal in the UK and Europe, which resulted in 500 purchased movies being removed from customer digital libraries without a refund because users only hold access licenses.