The Amazing Race Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Introduced in Season 17, the Express Pass, also called as the Pase Directo in the Latin American version and as the Fripass in the Norwegian version, allows a team to skip any task, of their choosing without penalty, the only exception being the Fast Forward, and immediately receive the next clue. The pass can be used up until the leg that it expires. The pass may be awarded to the team who arrives at the Pit Stop first on a certain leg (usually the first leg) of the race, given by another team who were awarded two Express Passes, or by winning it in a separate, optional task.

If a U-Turned team uses an Express Pass to skip a Detour, that team must still complete the other side of the Detour. Additionally, a team that is U-Turned may use an Express Pass to skip the other side of the Detour.

Starting from Season 22, the award for placing first in the first leg was two Express Passes (one for the team to use for themselves and one to give away before the fourth leg). This concept of the Express was used until Season 24, as it returned to only one Express Pass rewarded in Season 25.

Additionally, in Season 25, the Express Pass was rewarded and can be received as part of an optional searching task on the second leg.

17x1 Express Pass

Jill & Thomas win the Express Pass on Season 17.

Express Pass Twists[]

Double Express Pass[]

Starting from Season 22, the first place team in the first leg was awarded two Express Passes. One is for them to use while the other has to be given to another team before the end of a designated leg (fourth leg for season 22, fifth leg for subsequent seasons). The Double Express Pass was continued until Season 24.

Latin America season 5, Australia season 3, the first four Canada seasons and The Amazing Race 1 (China) were the only international versions to give the Double Express Pass.

Hand-Off Express Pass[]

The Amazing Race 27 introduced a twist with a single Express Pass. Once used, the Express Pass users would have to relinquish it to another team to be used on the next leg.

Three Express Passes[]

In the fifth Canadian season, three separate Express Passes were up for grabs for any team to get. It's possible that one team could get multiple Express Passes, but that team must give their extra pass(es) to another team (or two teams) before the end of the third leg.

The Amazing Race Canada 7 had three Express Passes as well, but the first leg winners won the usual Double Express Pass while the second leg winners won a single Express Pass.

Hybrid Express/Salvage Pass[]

The Amazing Race Vietnam 2019 introduced an Express Pass that had an additional ability to save another team, similar to a Salvage Pass.

Express Pass Winners[]

The Amazing Race (US)[]

Season Awarded Owner Used On Notes
Episode Leg via Episode Leg Clue Type
The Amazing Race 17 "They Don't Call It The Amazing Race for Nothin!" 1 Winning Leg S17 JillThomas
Jill & Thomas
"We Should Have Brought Gloves and Butt Pads" 4 Detour
The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business "Head Down and Hold On" 1 Winning Leg S18 GaryMallory
Gary & Mallory
"Don't Ruin the Basketball Game" 5 Roadblock
The Amazing Race 19 "Kindness of Strangers" 1 Winning Leg S19 ErnieCindy
Ernie & Cindy
"Move Goat" 7 Detour
The Amazing Race 20 "Tears of a Clown" 1 Winning Leg S20 RachelDave
Rachel & Dave
"Bust Me Right in the Head with It" 3 Detour
The Amazing Race 21 "Long Hair, Don't Care" 2 Winning Leg S21 NatalieNadiya
Natalie & Nadiya
"We Was Robbed" 8 Roadblock
The Amazing Race 22 "Business in the Front, Party in the Back" 1 Winning Leg S22 JessicaJohn
Jessica & John
Eliminated while in Possession in
"I Love Monkeys!"
  • First time a team was eliminated while in possession of the Express Pass.
"Like James Bond Again" 3 Second Express Pass from Jessica & John S22 DaveConnor
Dave & Connor
"Like James Bond Again" 3 Detour
  • First use of the Double Express Pass.
The Amazing Race 23 "We're Not in Oklahoma No More" 1 Winning Leg S23 TimMarie
Tim & Marie
"Get Our Groove On" 5 Detour
"Get Our Groove On" 5 Second Express Pass from Tim & Marie S23 NicoleTravis
Nicole & Travis
"One Hot Camel" 8 Detour
The Amazing Race: All-Stars (2014) "Back in the Saddle" 1 Winning Leg S24 JetCord
Jet & Cord
"Donkeylicious" 8 Detour
"Baby Bear's Soup" 2 Second Express Pass from Jet & Cord S24 CarolineJennifer
Caroline & Jennifer
"Baby Bear's Soup" 2 Roadblock
The Amazing Race 25 "When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go" 2 Optional Task S25 AdamBethany
Adam & Bethany
"Hot Sexy Knights" 8 Detour
The Amazing Race 26 "Great Way to Start a Relationship" 1 Winning Leg S26 JelaniJenny
Jelani & Jenny
"Moment of Truth" 8 Detour
  • After using their Express Pass, Jelani & Jenny were U-Turned by Matt & Ashley; requiring them to go back and complete the other Detour task.
The Amazing Race 27 "A Little Too Much Beefcake" 1 Winning Leg S27 TannerJosh
Tanner & Josh
"Good Old Fashioned Spit in the Face" 4 Roadblock
  • This Express Pass was required to be given up to another team to be used on the next leg once used by the original owners.
"Good Old Fashioned Spit in the Face" 4 Used Express Pass from Tanner & Josh S27 DeniseJamesEarl
Denise & James Earl
"King of the Jungle" 5 Detour
The Amazing Race 28 "Let the Good Times Roll" 6 Winning Leg S28 BrodieKurt
Brodie & Kurt
"I Have a Wedgie and a Half" 8 Roadblock
The Amazing Race 29 "We're Coming for You, Phil!" 1 Found at Route Info marker S29 BeccaFloyd
Becca & Floyd
Not Used; Expired in "Have Faith in Me, Broski"
  • First time an Express Pass was left to expire in the US version.
The Amazing Race 35 "The Amazing Race Is Back!" 1 Optional Task S35 MorganLena
Morgan & Lena
"No Sleep and a Million Dollar Dream" 3 Route Information
"A Planes, Trains and Automobiles Day" 8 Optional Task S35 RobCorey
Rob & Corey
"Everyone Loves a Comeback Story" 10 Roadblock

The Amazing Race Australia[]

Season Awarded Owner Used On Notes
Episode Leg via Episode Leg Task
The Amazing Race Australia 1 "Nothing's Smooth Sailing with Us" 1 Winning Leg AUS1 SamRenae
Sam & Renae
"We've Got Pain, but We've Not Lost Any Weight" 3 Roadblock
The Amazing Race Australia 2 "We Only Picked Good Looking Ones" 2 Winning Leg AUS2 StickySam
Sticky & Sam
"How Do You Fold Liquid?" 7 Detour
  • This Express Pass, along with the Detour it was used to skip was unaired.
The Amazing Race: Australia v New Zealand "I Gotta Have Two Legs to Run the Race!" 1 Winning Leg AUS3 JohnMurray
John & Murray
"Like Four Seasons in a Day" 2 Roadblock
"Proper Preparation Prevents Piss-Poor Performance" 3 Second Express Pass from John & Murray AUS3 CarlaHereni
Carla & Hereni
"We Have a Lot of Experience with Poo" 4 Roadblock

The Amazing Race Canada[]

Season Awarded Owner Used On Notes
Episode Leg via Episode Leg Task
The Amazing Race Canada 1 "Where in the World Is Ogopogo?" 1 Winning Leg CAS1 KristenDarren
Kristen & Darren
Eliminated while in Possession in "Grab a 'Nug"
"Grab a 'Nug" 4 Second Express Pass from Kristen & Darren CAS1 VanessaCelina
Vanessa & Celina
"Grab a 'Nug" 4 Detour
  • First international use of the Double Express Pass twist.
The Amazing Race Canada 2 "What's It Take to Get a Cup of Tea?" 1 Winning Leg CAS2 NatalieMeaghan
Natalie & Meaghan
"Snakes and Liars" 3 Detour
  • First time the Express Pass holders used their Express Pass before giving their second Express Pass to another team.
"Who Designs These Torture Tests?" 5 Second Express Pass from Natalie & Meaghan CAS2 PierreMichel
Pierre & Michel
"She's the Pierogi Poobah" 6 Roadblock
The Amazing Race Canada 3 "We're Going to Dance!" 2 Optional Task HamiltonMichaelia
Hamilton & Michaelia
"We're Going to Dance!" 2 Detour
"They're Harshing Our Mellow" 4 Second Express Pass from Hamilton & Michaelia BrentSean
Brent & Sean
"I Dream About Eating Sandwiches" 7 Route Information
The Amazing Race Canada 4 "Deal Guys? Deal! Deal!" 2 Optional Task CAS4 StephKristen
Steph & Kristen
Not Used; Expired in "I Could Be Prime Minister"
  • First time an Express Pass was left to expire.
"Shine Your Light" 4 Second Express Pass from Steph & Kristen CAS4 FrankieAmy
Frankie & Amy
"Am I Actually Operating the Plane?" 7 Route Information
The Amazing Race Canada 5 "You've Got to Leave My Hose Alone Dude" 2 Found at Roadblock Site CAS5 KennethRyan
Kenneth & Ryan
"It's Like Ducks in the Forest" 3 Detour
  • Kenneth & Ryan obtained all three Express Passes; requiring them to give up two of them to two other teams.
Second Express Pass from Kenneth & Ryan CAS5 KarenBert
Karen & Bert
Route Information
"It's Like Ducks in the Forest" 3 Third Express Pass from Kenneth & Ryan CAS5 MeganCourtney
Megan & Courtney
Eliminated while in Possession in "It's Like Ducks in the Forest"
  • First time a Third Express Pass was offered.
The Amazing Race Canada: Heroes Edition "Fiddler's Fart" 2 Found in Route Marker task CAS6 ToddAnna
Todd & Anna
"Sounds Like a Wild Boar" 3 Route Information
CAS6 NancyMellisa
Nancy & Mellisa
Route Information
CAS6 LeanneMar
Leanne & Mar
Route Information
The Amazing Race Canada 7 "Canada Get More Maps" 1 Winning Leg CAS7 DaveIrina
Dave & Irina
"I Love Geologists" 4 Roadblock
"We'll Let the Peasants Fight for Last Place" 3 Second Express Pass from Dave & Irina CAS7 AnthonyJames
Anthony & James
Roadblock
  • First time the Double Express Pass twist was used while Three Express Passes were in play.
"Our Competition's Not That Smart" 2 Winning Leg CAS7 AarthyThinesh
Aarthy & Thinesh
Not Used; Expired in "Balls, Balls, Balls"
The Amazing Race Canada 8 "Come on Doodlebug" 1 Winning Leg CAS8 BrendanConnor
Brendan & Connor
"What the Duck Is Going On?" 7 Route Information
  • First time the Three Express Passes were used with the traditional "Double Express Pass" format.
"Feel the Fear and Do It Anyways" 4 Second Express Pass from Brendan & Connor CAS8 JesseMarika
Jesse & Marika
"Racing for Our Lives" 6 Detour
Third Express Pass from Brendan & Connor CAS8 FrancaNella
Franca & Nella
"What the Duck Is Going On?" 7 Route Information
The Amazing Race Canada 9 "I Hate Pancakes" 1 Optional Task CAS9 TyKat
Ty & Kat
"This Is Going to Be a Spicy Leg" 6 Detour
"My First Experience" 2 Second Express Pass from Ty & Kat CAS9 TylerKayleen
Tyler & Kayleen
Roadblock
"Bribery Always Works" 3 Third Express Pass from Ty & Kat CAS9 BenAnwar
Ben & Anwar
Roadblock

The Amazing Race China[]

Season4 Awarded Owner Used On Notes
Episode Leg via Episode Leg Task
The Amazing Race 1 (China) Episode 1 1 Winning Leg CNS1 JinDachuanLiuChang
Jin Dachuan & Liu Chang
Episode 3 3 DetourU-Turn
Episode 3 3 Second Express Pass from Jin Dachuan & Liu Chang CNS1 ZhangTielinYueliang
Zhang Tielin & Yueliang
Episode 3 3 Route Information
The Amazing Race 2 (China) Episode 1 1 Winning Leg CNS2 YangQianhuaDingZigao
Yang Qianhua & Ding Zigao
Episode 4 4 Detour
Episode 4 4 Second Express Pass from Yang Qianhua & Ding Zigao CNS2 ZengZhiweiZengBaoyi
Zeng Zhiwei & Zeng Baoyi
Episode 4 4 Route Information
The Amazing Race China 3 Episode 1 1 Winning Leg CNS3 JinDachuanLiuChang
Jin Dachuan & Liu Chang
Episode 4 4 Detour
Episode 3 3 Second Express Pass from Jin Dachuan & Liu Chang CNS3 JinXingHeinz
Jin Xing & Heinz
Episode 3 3 Roadblock
The Amazing Race China 4 Episode 1 1 Found in Route Marker task CNS4 FanBingbingXieYilin
Fan Bingbing & Xie Yilin
Episode 2 2 Roadblock
Episode 4 4 Second Express Pass from Fan Bingbing & Xie Yilin CNS4 ZhengYuanchangWangLikun
Zheng Yuanchang & Wang Likun
Episode 4 4 Double Battle
  • First time an Express Pass was used on a Face-Off.

The Amazing Race: China Rush[]

Season Awarded Owner Used On Notes
Episode Leg via Episode Leg Task
The Amazing Race: China Rush 3 Episode 1 1 Winning Leg CRS3 LiuWeiweiLeiSheng
Liu Weiwei & Lei Sheng
Episode 7 7 Detour
  • First time a team used an Express Pass and won the leg.

The Amazing Race (Latin America)[]

Season Awarded Owner Used On Notes
Episode Leg via Episode Leg Task
The Amazing Race 3 (Latin America) Episode 1 1 Winning Leg LAS3 FelipeAlejandro
Felipe & Alejandro
Episode 7 7 Route Information
  • First international use of an Express Pass.
  • First time an Express Pass was used on a Route Marker task.
The Amazing Race 4 (Latin America) Episode 1 1 Winning Leg LAS4 RenataAnaPaula
Renata & Ana Paula
Episode 8 8 Detour
The Amazing Race 5 (Latin America) Episode 1 1 Winning Leg LAS5 EvelynJorge
Evelyn & Jorge
Episode 3 3 Roadblock
Episode 4 4 Winning Leg LAS5 AstridAleja
Astrid & Aleja
Episode 5 5 Route Information
The Amazing Race: Ecuador Episode 1 1 Winning Leg LAS6 StefaníaFelipe
Stefanía & Felipe
Episode 6 6 Roadblock
Episode 3 3 Second Express Pass from Stefanía & Felipe LAS6 JuanCecilia
Juan & Cecilia
Episode 5 5 Detour

The Amazing Race Norge[]

Season Awarded Owner Used On Notes
Episode Leg via Episode Leg Task
The Amazing Race Norge 1 Episode 3 3 Winning Leg NOS1 CathrineMichelle
Cathrine & Michelle
Episode 4 4 Route Information

The Amazing Race Philippines[]

Season Awarded Owner Used On Notes
Episode Leg via Episode Leg Task
The Amazing Race Philippines 1 Unknown 3 Winning Leg PHS1 MarcKat
Marc & Kat
Unknown 5 Roadblock
The Amazing Race Philippines 2 Unknown 1 Winning Leg PHS2 VinceEd
Vince & Ed
Unknown 5 Route Information

The Amazing Race Vietnam[]

Season Awarded Owner Used On Notes
Episode Leg via Episode Leg Task
The Amazing Race Vietnam 2012 Episode 1 1 Winning Leg VNS1 ThanhThủyMinhThoa
Thanh Thủy & Minh Thoa
Episode 3 3 Roadblock
  • First time a team used an Express Pass was eliminated in the same leg.
The Amazing Race Vietnam 2013 Episode 1 1 Winning Leg VNS2 LinhChiPhúcVinh
Linh Chi & Phúc Vinh
Episode 11 11 Roadblock
The Amazing Race Vietnam 2014 Episode 1 1 Winning Leg VNS3 SơnNgọcMinhMint
Sơn Ngọc Minh & Mint
Episode 5 5 DetourU-Turn
  • First time an Express Pass was used on a second Detour task as the result of a U-Turn.
The Amazing Race Vietnam 2015 Episode 1 1 Winning Leg VNS4 NgọcAnhNhậtAnh
Ngọc Anh & Nhật Anh
Episode 5 5 Route Information
The Amazing Race Vietnam 2016 Episode 1 1 Winning Leg VNS5 LincolnTiếnĐạt
Lincoln & Tiến Đạt
Not Used; Expired in Episode 9
The Amazing Race Vietnam 2019 Episode 1 1 Winning Leg SonThachBinhAn
ST Sơn Thạch & Bình An
Episode 5 5 Used to save Minh Triệu & Kỳ Duyên
  • This iteration of the Express Pass had an additional power to save a team from elimination; similar to a Salvage Pass

Trivia[]

  • Ernie & Cindy were the first team to win the race after winning the Express Pass.
  • Dave & Connor were the first team to use a Express Pass and win the leg in the American version. 
  • Marc & Kat were the first team to win both the Express Pass and the Salvage Pass.

References[]

The Amazing Race Format

Challenges: Assist · Clues · Clue Box · Double Battle · Express Pass · Resurrection Card · Salvage Pass · Save
Pit Stops: Elimination · Finish Line · Marked for Elimination · Megaleg · No Penalty · No-Rest Leg · Non-Elimination Leg · Pit Stop · Starting Line · Superleg
Rules: Money · Rules and Penalties
Others: Date Night · Discharged · Ejection · Evacuation · Medically Exempt · Overnight Rest · Quit · Switchback
Twists: City Sprint · Departure Time Penalty · Double Elimination · Double Your Money · First Class Pass · Hazard · Marked for Elimination · On Ramp · One Way · Partner Swap · Pass · The Scramble · Salvage & Sabotage · Surprise Elimination · Surrender Money · Surrender Money and No Supplied Vehicles · Surrender Money and Possessions · U-Turn · Yield

Advertisement