Hi Dora
A swisspass card is not a travelcard. It’s a data medium. We use the swisspass card to download subscriptions for the public transport on it.
But since you live in USA and will be here for a short time, you don’t actually need a swisspass card. If you want to purchase single tickets for a reduced price, you can get yourself a Half-Fare travelcard for customers from abroad:
Swiss Half Fare Card – Switzerland at half the price | SBB
However, what I do advice you to do, is to register yourself online on www.swisspass.ch so that you can be an online User of SwissPass.
In Switzerland, 10 or more people travelling together is a group. You can give you a group ticket for a discounted fare and it includes a free seat reservation, but the journeys must be booked in advance!
You can make the group reservation here: Group tickets | SBB
For any further questions please, call us, since our community is not the correct plattform for price informations or bookings and etc. So if you want to be advised individually, please call our Contact Center 0041 848 44 66 88 (CHF 0.08/Min). If you are calling from abroad and this number doesn’t work, please try 0041 51 225 78 00.
Have a nice day. EllenvS.