We will be traveling from Zurich to Lucern. Then we'll take the Wilhelm Tell Express (boat / train) to Lake Como. A few days at Lake Como / Milan, then 15 days ending in Venice.

2 adults (58 & 63) from USA.

Should we just buy a separate ticket to Lucern?
Does the Eurail pass cover the Wilhelm Tell Express?
What is the best deal for the 15 days to Venice?
What is a Saver Pass & Global pass - do we need these?
Should we purchase these before we leave the US?

Thanks,
Mike

Your itinerary isn't quite clear. Are you saying you are traveling 15 days in Italy?

12 days total - 3 in Lucene, 2 Lugano, 4 Bellagio, 3 in Padova
After much research, it looks like the Swiss Tell-Pass and then the trenitalia is the best deal.

For Bellagio area, you would use the local bus that goes around the lake or the boats. For your three days in Padova, it would depend on where you will be traveling.

A Saver Pass is for two or more people traveling together. One of you cannot travel alone on that pass.

You might try entering your itinerary on railsaver.com and be sure to change the drop down box from "always railpasses" to "if less expensive". It will suggest which pass would be best although I'm not sure if the Tell Pass is part of their system though.
http://www.railsaver.com/

I keep seeing 'Railsaver.com' mentioned as a way to test point to point versus railpasses, So I thought I'd test how accurate they were as a true guide to what our European point-to-point train fares.

Test 1. Paris to Amsterdam

Railsaver.com says: $94 every date I checked, about 72 euros. 2nd class.

The true price (as measured at www.thalys.com or www.tgv-europe.com, picking random dates in April or May 2011) varies from a mere 35 euros (naturally no refunds, no changes to travel plans) through other departures showing prices of 45, 55, 65 euros to a maximum of 130 euros full-price for a fully-flexible on-the-day ticket. All inclusive of seat reservation, with zero booking fee.

Test 2: Paris to Milan.

Railsaver.com says: $129 every train, about 99 euros. 2nd class.

Actual prices on the European rail operators websites for the direct Paris-Milan Artesia TGVs: Prices vary from a mere 30 euros on some departures, 46 euros on many more (all no refunds, no changes to travel plans) up to 98 euros for a fully-flexible full price on-the-day ticket. All fully inclusive of a seat reservation.

It would seem that railsavers is ignoring the cheap advance purchase fares, so is not an accurate guide to actual European prices.

On many routes in Europe we now have airline-style pricing with cheap fares in advance, more expensive fares on the day.

Man_in_seat_61,

Did you compare pass prices on Railsaver.com to actual prices? Were they accurate?

Could generalize by saying "Railsaver.com is a quick way to get an idea if a pass would be better for your itinerary than individual tickets. You may also find discounted tickets for advanced-purchase tickets lowering the price of individual tickets even more."

Yes, at times we've posted that Railsaver does not take into account any advance purchase discounted tickets. It's just a tool new travelers can use to get an idea of whether they really need a pass at all. Most new travelers just assume they need a pass because they've heard about them for years. As more train systems get their websites online purchasing up to date for accepting other countries credit cards, passes are going the way of the dinosaur. Add to that all the budget airlines and you a pass isn't economical/practical for the average trip.

As for the OP, I'm still not sure how much traveling they plan to do. It appears they are spending 12 nights, but that doesn't mean they are training all 12 days. Local transport in most cities won't be included so without an actual itinerary it's hard to tell if they need any type of pass.