My ticket has now been reissued - with a tip of the hat to Emeco in Cairo.

Learning from my abortive CX experience in LAX and HKG, including my own contribution to that failure, I wrote to Emeco who had issued my ticket originally. I gave them my desired changes, which they sent on to AA in Dublin for repricing. The change came out $75 (standard reissue fee) plus $9. I was given a new PNR, and told that I could go to an airport and that the repricing mask was ready.

I was in Charlotte yesterday, so with some fear and trepidation went to the AA counter. There were only 2 agents - one in the ticket/international line, and one at the first class line. My agent told me if the reissue were difficult, she would have to ask me to wait til all people were checked in for their flights.

Well - what do you know! The ticket was reissued within 1 minute. She and I both looked at each other in joy and disbelief.