Train reservation rip off?

The connection from Geneva to Venice looks like it includes a night train (EN311) from Geneva to Bologna. That train according to Euraide has only couchettes and sleepers, not seats. The $11 charged by RailEurope is usually just for seat reservation; couchette reservations are more.

Nope. Daytime only. Train leaves Geneva at around 11:00AM and arrives Venice 6:00PM.

OK, then. Maybe this. The 11:00 Cisalpino train only goes to Milan. From there you travel to Venice via a Eurostar City train. The 1st class reservation fee on the Cisalpino train is for a seat at $11-$16; the reservation fee for an Italian Eurostar is around $25. Maybe the fee includes both trains.

There is a direct Cisalpino train that leaves Geneve at 07:42 and arrives at Venezia Santa Lucia at 14:40. Rail Europe's reservation fee for that train is $11.

If you take the 11:07 CIS, you will have to change to a EuroStar Italia train in Milano. The reservation fee for the Milano-Venezia leg is $27. $11 + $27 = $38.

Thanks guys - makes sense (there is a train switch in Milan).

Part of that $27 fee for the Eurostar City train is a supplement for using a premium train, which they figure shouldn't be included with the basic railpass.

I have never found reservations to be necessary, but if it makes you feel better, reserve a seat on the Cisalpino train to Milan, $11, and look for a less expensive IC or regional train to Venice.

RailEurope always charges a lot more for tickets. You are paying for the convenience of not having to navigate a foreign train site. If you can navigate the Italian train site (I haven't used it, so I don't know if they have an English option), book there.
I travel most in France and use my high school French to navigate their train site: the amounts Rail Europe charges are outrageous.