Every year, CHOICE (Australia’s local consumer advocacy group) calls out the products and services that do Aussies dirty. This year is no different, with the lineup of Shonky Award winners including some pricey protein chips, a washer-dryer with a 13-hour eco drying cycle, an airline counting expired flight credits as profit and a ticketing double act.
At Love Coupons, we're all about keeping money in your pocket. That’s why we’ve looked beyond the 2026 Shonky Awards hall of shame to find better alternatives, compare prices and share practical ways to avoid getting shonked. So if you’re thinking of buying tickets to the next footy or investing in a new washer-dryer, keep reading to find out how to make a smarter purchase.
What Are The CHOICE Shonky Awards?
The Shonky Awards are CHOICE’s tongue-in-cheek annual hall of shame for the dodgiest products, services and business practices in the country. This year marks the Awards’ 21st anniversary, and CHOICE has picked 6 winners.
Shonky Awards Hall of Shame: The 2026 Lineup
2026 CHOICE Shonky Award Winners & Better Alternatives
Ticketmaster & Ticketek: Fleecing fans
A regular seat at an NRL game was priced at $125. A seat labelled ‘In Demand’, just one row and one bay apart, was priced at $175.
- CHOICE
What CHOICE said: Both ticketing giants earned a Shonky for profiteering at the punter’s expense. Dynamic pricing (something already common with airfares and rideshare apps) has crept into the world of live events. According to NRL fans who attempted to purchase through Ticketmaster earlier this year, a standard seat was priced at $125, while an ‘In Demand’ one just one row and bay away cost $175. CHOICE claims big ticketing companies are using their market power to fleece fans.
FYI: Dynamic pricing is a strategy that allows businesses to adjust prices in real time based on demand, availability and other factors. In Ticketmaster and Ticketek’s case, this means that tickets to the same event can have significantly different prices depending on where and when you book.
Better alternatives: Moshtix, Oztix and AXS Australia offer tickets to a big range of gigs, festivals and events. But before settling on a ticketing provider, compare available booking options for your chosen event. Some venues and promoters work exclusively with certain platforms, which means alternative providers won’t always have the same tickets available.
How to save:
- Compare seat tiers. CHOICE already showed us how a nearby seat can cost $50 more.
- Double-check the booking total before you commit, particularly for additional fees.
- Subscribe to mailing lists or presales to avoid booking last minute when demand peaks.
- Avoid scalpers by sticking to official resale channels.
- If you have to book with the big two, keep an eye out for Ticketmaster or Ticketek coupon codes.
Virgin Australia: Expired credits & booking pressure
Some customers redeemed their credits, but many others never saw their money again.
- CHOICE
What CHOICE said: During the pandemic, Virgin Australia flyers accumulated flight credits from cancellations between 21 April 2020 and 31 July 2020. In their annual report released in August, the airline counted $75 million in expired COVID-19 credits as part of their 2026 net profits. Virgin initially told customers they had until 30 June 2026 to book or lose their credits, but after receiving pressure from the public, the deadline was extended to 27 May 2027. CHOICE believes that expired credits should be automatically converted to refunds and calls on the government to make that a requirement.
Better alternatives: Qantas, Jetstar and Rex’s (primarily regional) routes overlap with Virgin’s. When comparing airlines, don’t just look at the advertised fare. Keep in mind baggage allowances, change fees, seat selection and other extras. These are what can make a seemingly cheap flight much more expensive.
How to save:
- Hunt for old credits now. Look for old Virgin booking and cancellation messages in your inbox or give the airline a call if you’re not sure what you’re owed.
- Note the fly-by date on your credits and plan a trip before the deadline hits.
- Before you book, compare fares across airlines.
- If Virgin turns out to be the best option for your trip, make sure to keep a Virgin Australia promo code close by as you head to checkout.
Sony: Pay to play, but do you actually own it?
Sony can end these licences at any time with no obligation to issue refunds. And your digital media library will be just… gone.
- CHOICE
What CHOICE said: Sony was called out by CHOICE for the company’s licensing agreement, which states that customers don’t own the digital downloads they paid for and that access to this media can be removed at any time without recourse. In June 2026, Sony announced that a licensing agreement with Studio Canal was ending in the UK and Europe, meaning that 500 titles were set to disappear from customers’ digital libraries. Just a few days later, Sony announced that all new PlayStation games will be digital-only from January 2028. This left CHOICE and Aussies wondering what happens if licensing deals expire, if the PlayStation Network goes down or if an account is suspended.
FYI: When purchasing digital media (like a movie or game), you’re technically buying a license to access the content and not outright ownership of the media. In other words, access to this media can be affected by licensing agreements, platform availability and account restrictions.
Better alternatives: Microsoft, Nintendo, Steam, Epic and GOG.com. Fair warning: Steam and Epic also sell digital licenses, whereas GOG.com offers DRM-free games that you can keep. Xbox and Nintendo both offer physical & digital games, so be sure to check each platform’s current policies before you commit to a console. For physical copies, we recommend JB Hi-Fi and Sanity.
How to save:
- Buy physical copies of games you want to keep while they're still available.
- Before paying launch price for a digital download, compare prices across retailers. While you’re at it, grab a Sony promo code from LC.
Hisense: Gaming the energy star rating
The Energy Rating Label is based on a specific wash or dry program nominated by the manufacturer… This program isn’t necessarily one that households would commonly use.
- CHOICE
What CHOICE said: While Hisense markets their 8i Washer Dryer Combo as super energy-efficient with an 8-star energy rating, it only earns that rating on its Eco drying setting… which takes 13.5 hours to dry a full 8kg load. Here’s the catch: most Aussies would switch to a quicker program, meaning their energy savings may end up being very different. CHOICE is advocating for more prominently shown program times on energy rating labels and for manufacturers to offer a drying setting that better reflects how people actually use their appliances.
FYI: A machine with a high energy rating doesn’t necessarily mean it's the cheapest to run, especially if you regularly use faster cycles instead of the eco-rated program.
Better alternatives: Electrolux, Samsung and LG.
Psst! Interested in how other washer-dryer models compare? We looked at their capacity, cycle times and estimated running costs:
Running costs are estimates based on 3 cycles per week at 45c per kWh. True costs will vary based on electricity rate and use of the machine. The table above does not reflect like-for-like comparisons as load sizes differ between models.
What stands out:
- LG Series 10 - The cheapest in the lineup to run with a mid-size load. However, owners have reported regular upkeep and occasional mechanical or technical issues with this washer-dryer.
- Samsung Bespoke AI Laundry Combo - Offers the shortest realistic dual cycle time, but also the smallest load. Reviews say it requires frequent cleaning and its long-life warranty depends on regular maintenance.
- Electrolux UltimateCare 700 - Can hold the biggest load, along with the highest running costs and longest realistic dual cycle time. Survey says to expect noise & vibration while running a full load, app errors and awkward maintenance access.
How to save:
- Look at program times, not just star ratings. Ask how long the rated cycle takes and if you’d actually use it.
- There’s more to consider than the sticker price. Do the math and compare annual running costs.
Quest Nutrition: The protein tax
You’ll be paying 886% more for the Quest protein chips than for Doritos.
- CHOICE
What CHOICE said: CHOICE crunched the numbers and found that products advertising protein on the label cost roughly 50% more per 100g than those that didn’t. The worst offender? Quest’s protein chips with a 32g bag costing $6.50 or more than $20 per 100g. When comparing Quest’s Nacho Cheese chips with Nacho Cheese Doritos, CHOICE found that the protein chips cost 886% more. Each bag of chips also comes with a warning that says they’re not suitable for children under 15 or pregnant women, and they should only be used under medical or dietetic supervision.
Better alternatives: Impulsive Snacks, Loka and Legendary Foods.
Wondering how they compare on price and protein content? See for yourself:
What stands out: Impulsive Snacks takes the crown for offering the lowest price per bag and gram of protein, earning the title of most affordable option in our comparison. Legendary Foods comes in second, while Loka is priced more similarly to Quest.
How to save:
- Since bag sizes can vary wildly, rather compare unit prices (price per 100g).
- If protein is your goal, work out the cost per gram.
- If protein isn’t a priority, keep in mind that regular snacks are much cheaper per 100g.
Petcover: All bark, no benefit
Basically, you’re covered until you have something that needs cover.
- CHOICE
What CHOICE said: Last and certainly least, CHOICE gave Petcover’s Economy policy the final Shonky. It's no secret that pet insurance has a rocky history. In fact, CHOICE gave the entire industry a Shonky in 2019. This year, Petcover took the crown for selling Aussies a brand new policy instead of a renewal at 12 months. In other words, any condition your pet had in the previous year is classified as a pre-existing condition and excluded from the cover. CHOICE also noted that Petcover had one of the broadest definitions of pre-existing they’d seen, covering any condition with the same clinical signs as another injury or illness.
FYI: Generally, a pre-existing condition is an illness, injury or symptom that existed before an insurance policy started. BUT, insurers can have different definitions and exclusions. So, it's always a good idea to understand how exactly these are assessed before purchasing a policy.
Better alternatives: Fetch, Budget Direct and Knose.
We made one more comparison to top things off:
The table presented above should be treated as general information only. It is based on policy details at the time of writing and isn’t financial advice. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement before signing, as limits, waiting periods and exclusions can change.
How to save:
- Look beyond the monthly premium. Compare how each policy handles ongoing conditions, annual benefits, waiting periods and policy renewals.
How to Avoid Getting Shonked: 7 Things to Check Before You Buy
- What is the total price? Before you commit, add up any add-ons and service fees.
- Do I own it? For digital purchases, read the fine print. Check whether you’re buying the item or just its license.
- Is it really a bargain? Don’t just look at sticker prices. Compare unit prices, running costs and any additional fees so you know what you’ll actually pay.
- What does the label actually measure? Star ratings and buzzwords only tell one part of the story. So, be sure to take a peek at the program or conditions behind them.
- What happens if plans change? Before heading to checkout, read up on the cancellation, refund and credit policies.
- What’s hiding in the fine print? When it comes to insurance, always review waiting periods, exclusions and what the renewal process entails.
- What are other customers saying? Before committing to a purchase, take a look at independent reviews, consumer reports and product testing to see if there are recurring complaints.
Our Final Thoughts
The CHOICE Shonky Awards are an annual reminder that the cheapest (or cheapest-looking) option isn’t always the best deal. Before your next big purchase, remember to take a few minutes to read the fine print, compare options and look for a coupon code.
The Shonky Award assessments and criticisms featured in this blog post are attributed to CHOICE. Love Coupon’s product comparisons and money-saving suggestions are separate research intended to help readers make informed purchase decisions.
