Consumer group Choice announced its 2026 Shonky Awards, recognising six products and services as the worst of the year, ABC News reported. Ticketek and Ticketmaster received awards for pricing practices including dynamic pricing and "in demand" ticket pricing, while Virgin Australia won its first Shonky over $75 million in expired flight credits.
Tickets sold through Ticketek for a John Farnham Tribute concert reached prices of up to $1,650. NRL fans buying through Ticketmaster encountered "in demand" seats priced $50 higher than regular seats located one row or bay away. Choice said both platforms have repeatedly employed tactics including dynamic pricing, elevated ticket costs, prices concealed before sale and purchase time limits, all of which disadvantage fans seeking tickets.
Virgin customers with flight credits had to book by 30 June 2026, with travel required before 27 May 2027. The airline's 2025/26 annual report noted that $75 million in expired COVID-19 credits affected its underlying net profit of $404 million. Choice CEO Monique Perry said the organisation would like to see consumers recover the $75 million or be given unlimited time to use their credits, and that Choice wants expanded price-gouging laws to protect consumers.
Quest Nacho Cheese Protein Chips were awarded a Shonky, priced at more than $20 per 100g, which Choice calculated as 886% more expensive per 100g than a comparable pack of Doritos. A 32-gram bag costs $6.50 at one major Australian supermarket, compared to $2.06 per 100g for Doritos. Choice editorial director Mark Serrels said the decision was difficult given the volume of added-protein products entering the market, noting some are ultra-processed with minimal additional protein but significantly higher prices.
Sony Interactive Entertainment received a Shonky after announcing that from January 2028, all new PlayStation games would be sold as digital downloads only, under a licensing model rather than outright ownership. Choice also drew attention to Sony removing purchased digital movies from customers' libraries when licensing agreements expired, leaving customers without a refund. A Hisense washer-dryer and Petcover Economy pet insurance also received awards.
Consumers holding Virgin flight credits who had not booked by 30 June 2026 have lost those credits, with the funds retained by Virgin as revenue. PlayStation customers buying digital games from January 2028 will hold a licence to access content rather than ownership, meaning access could be withdrawn without a refund if licensing arrangements change. Pet owners with a Petcover Economy policy may find that conditions treated in one policy year are classified as pre-existing and excluded from cover when the policy renews.
Reporting: ABC News, The Guardian, The New Daily, SmartCompany
Written by Pick & Scroll News from the reporting and documents linked above.
