Choice Announces The 2026 Shonky Awards For Worst Services

Consumer Group Shames Poor Business Practices

Consumer group Choice has released its 21st annual Shonky Awards, identifying the worst products and services available to the public. This year’s list focuses on companies that have utilized questionable business tactics during a period of significant cost-of-living pressures. Choice CEO Monique Perry noted that the awards serve as a critical reminder that many businesses continue to treat consumers poorly, even as households struggle financially. Perry stated that at a time when most consumers are doing it tough, one would expect companies to give them a break, yet there was no shortage of contenders for the awards. The list highlights a range of failures, from disappearing flight credits to overpriced snacks and inefficient home appliances.

Major Corporate Failures In Travel And Entertainment

Virgin Australia received a Shonky Award for its handling of flight credits following pandemic-era cancellations. As of February 2026, the airline held approximately $93 million in unused credits. While some passengers managed to redeem their funds, $75 million of these credits ultimately expired. Choice pointed out that the airline subsequently recognized this expired amount as revenue. Customers were given until June 30, 2026, to book flights, with the requirement to travel by May 27, 2027. The organization criticized the airline for pocketing money for services it failed to deliver rather than providing refunds, calling the move a disappearing act.

In the entertainment sector, ticketing giants Ticketek and Ticketmaster shared a joint award for pricing strategies that make live events less accessible. The group criticized the use of dynamic pricing and the introduction of premium-priced tickets labeled as being in high demand. Other problematic tactics included the concealment of ticket prices before sales began and the imposition of strict time limits during the purchase process. These methods are viewed as sneaky tactics used to take advantage of fans who are desperate to secure a spot at their favorite events.

Specific examples of these practices included tribute concert tickets for John Farnham reaching prices as high as $1,650 via Ticketek. Similarly, sports fans encountered situations where tickets marked as in demand cost roughly $50 more than standard tickets located just one row away. These pricing practices are viewed as factors that further inflate the overall cost of attending live entertainment, pushing such experiences further out of reach for the average person.

Issues With Insurance, Electronics, And Home Goods

Petcover was also singled out for its Economy insurance policy. Choice claims that the policy effectively reduces coverage for customers with every annual renewal. Because customers receive a new contract every 12 months, health conditions that occurred during the previous period can be reclassified as pre-existing conditions. This means they are excluded from future coverage, leaving pet owners with a shrinking safety net exactly when they might need it most, potentially leaving them without the support they expected.

Sony Interactive Entertainment was recognized for its digital content licensing. The company allows customers to pay for movies and games without granting actual ownership. Choice highlighted instances where purchased digital movies were removed from customer libraries after licensing agreements expired. This results in users losing access to content they paid for without receiving any form of refund, creating a pay-to-play proposition that penalizes the consumer.

Rounding out the list were Quest Protein Chips and Hisense. The protein chips were criticized for being sold at excessively high prices, described as champagne prices for a snack. Additionally, a washer-dryer from Hisense was shamed for its extreme inefficiency, with a laundry cycle that takes more than 24 hours to complete, described as a laundry marathon. These examples illustrate a broad spectrum of consumer dissatisfaction, ranging from digital rights and financial transparency to basic product performance. Choice maintains that these awards are necessary to bring transparency to the marketplace and encourage companies to adopt fairer standards for their customers.