The ticket needs to be issued by AA if I want to apply EVIPs and the like on the AA segments.

edit: And no don't need to get first carrier to issue. From what I read on FT I think the rule is that the first carrier MUST issue (in this case CX) if approached. However every other carrier can issue, they just have the discretion to not issue. AA is probably the most generous with these sort of things.

The GSA is also probably quite happy that both my overwater segments are on AA, though they didn't explicitly mention that AA content is required. Don't think CX will be too thrilled if I approached them anyway as I've only got MNL-HKG-DPS-HKG with them. Hypothetically for interest's sake: does CX pick up fuel fines for other carriers? If not, the fuel fines should be lower via CX with my itinerary as is if I didn't need AA stock for aforementioned reasons, given the transatlantic/transpacific AA YQ?

I've just wired the money off today. They wanted a copy of the receipt. They didn't need me to be in the Philippines but they wanted a photocopy of my passport to make sure my name is spelt correctly.

I'd probably go back to NRT if I ever do another one of these, since everything has to be eticketed next time round anyway.