With every new *Pokémon GO* ticket or pass announcement from Niantic, the burning question on many players' minds is always the price tag. So, the revelation that the *Pokémon GO* Tour Pass is free surprised many! But what exactly *is* it?
What Is a Tour Pass in *Pokémon GO*?
The Tour Pass is a brand-new feature debuting with the *Pokémon GO* Tour: Unova global event. It's a system of completing tasks to earn Tour Points. These points unlock rewards, boost your rank, and enhance event bonuses during the Unova Tour.
The basic Tour Pass is free, automatically granted to all players starting February 24th at 10 AM local time. However, a paid version, the Tour Pass Deluxe, is also available for $14.99 USD (or local equivalent). This grants an instant Victini encounter, upgraded rewards, and faster progression through the Tour Pass tiers.
How Do You Earn Tour Points & What Do They Do?
Earning Tour Points is similar to completing research tasks—catching Pokémon, raiding, and hatching eggs. Daily Pass Tasks also provide additional points. These points unlock rewards, increase your rank, and grant bonus Catch XP. The Catch XP bonuses are:
- 1.5x Catch XP at Tier 2
- 2x Catch XP at Tier 3
- 3x Catch XP at Tier 4
Niantic hasn't revealed all rewards yet, hinting at more surprises to come. The free Tour Pass culminates in a Zorua encounter with a special background. The paid Deluxe Pass offers a different final reward: a Lucky Trinket.
What Is a Lucky Trinket?
The Lucky Trinket, the Deluxe Pass's final reward, is a one-time-use item that transforms a friend into a Lucky Friend. This allows a Lucky Pokémon trade without needing Best Friend status (though Great Friends is required to use the item). Note that Lucky Trinkets obtained during GO Tour: Unova expire on March 9, 2025.
Pokémon GO is available now.
