Got a question for the experience MR folks out there.

I've got this trip: AUS-IAH-LAX-IAH-EWR-FRA-EWR-SFO-IAH-AUS, basically a planned trip to FRA, with a few scenic routes built in. Today my IAH-LAX segment (CO 1095) got canceled and even though I tried to make an earlier flight, I didn't get the notification soon enough and couldn't make it. here were no later flights today and even if I took the earliest possible flight tomorrow, I'd run a huge risk of missing the EWR-FRA that in the end is the flight that really matters.

I was offered a direct to LAX on AA and after some gentle nudging that became an F seat (I'd already been upgraded in most of my segments, incl. the first). I took it given that when rerouted (especially on a non-ST carrier) I could get the miles anyway.

I'm wondering though, what if I had dropped the IAH-LAX-IAH parts altogether and just moved my AUS-IAH to align with the continuation to EWR? Would it still have been possible to get credit for flying to LAX and back? If yes, then clearly not having to actually fly the miles but still earn them would be ideal (and I would get to sleep in my own bed).

I took the path that kept my DEQMs safer (based on the info I had), but I'm wondering what others have experienced...