Swiss Rail Pass (15 day)

Yes, you can buy it in Zürich using a credit card, but that may not be cheapest. You need to compare the price in dollars if bought in the US ($449 for an individual pass in 2d class) with the price in Switzerland (465 CHF for the same pass), and then check the currency conversion rate. To the price of the pass bought in Switzerland, you need to add 5% or whatever your credit card charges in foreign transaction fees. To the price of the pass bought in the US, you need to add the $18 service charge for RailEurope (even if you buy it from Rick Steves). This $18 fee may be offset by a 20% shopping spree in the Travel Store if you buy on this website (do you need any luggage?) If from RailEurope, it may be offset by a $20 SIM card, which is only useful if you have an unlocked phone. check the website to see if they still offer this if that sounds appealing.

Thanks for the information, it is most helpful. I should have mentioned that there are four adults in the family making the trip. Is there a better deal on four tickets?

Yes. Two or more can get the "saver" rate, which is a 15% discount. All four of you will be on one pass so you can only use it for travel together. (Or 3 of you can use it if the fourth person is staying home; if that person travels that day he or she will have to buy a separate ticket.) Depending on how much traveling around you will be doing, and how many high mountain lifts and trains you will take, you might do better with a different pass. The 15-day pass worked for us on one trip, when we actually did travel almost every day. For other trips, the 3-day or 4-day Flex Pass was more cost-effective. This one gives you 3 or 4 fully-paid days (2 of which must be your first and last day) and 50% off on all other days.

We will be traveling all of Switzerland for the 15 days, so it appears the individual passes may be best. Thanks for the information.