Hi jgold!

You need to pay the US$125 every time you re-issue the ticket. So if you make multiple routing changes, then change the dates and carriers, change the routing again etc. and after you have actually done all of this you tell your TA to re-issue the ticket, then you will only pay US$125. This is the same for etix and paper tickets.

So with the example you give with your paper ticket. You can change your reservation over the phone so you have the seat. But prior to flying you need to get the ticket re-issued.