Les, On your leg from Zermatt to Milan via the Bernina Pass route, why are you going all the way north to Zürich, just to stay overnight and head south again to Chur?
Zürich is usually not high on the list of places to visit in Switzerland. Instead, from Zermatt, after Visp (where all trains from Zermatt go to), continue on the train east all the way to Chur (you may need to change), and stay overnight there. Look at the map here: https://www.swisspasses.com/railpass/overviewmap_en.pdf
This is the route of the Glacier Express and very spectacular.
You mention the "Bernina train". This is not just one train, all rail routes in Switzerland, including Zermatt - Chur and the Bernina route have one train per hour, you can pick any train that is convenient. The Bernina route does not go to Lugano, it goes to Tirano in Italy (look at map). From there you can catch an Italian train to Milan.
You say your are coming from the UK, but how? plane or train?
As other said, you do not book seats in advance in Switzerland, whether you have a normal ticket or a pass, except for the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, and that is just for these trains, not "normal" trains on the same route.
The map I mentioned above is the official map that shows where your Swiss pass is valid.