If, instead of flying direct on BA to Denver, I flew on AA via, say Chicago, would this earn me more TP's?

I am looking at the various options of getting there. If I got more going indirect with AA, that would close the gap some.

My work flight booking tool only allows me to book economy fares but books me in Y or H from what I can see. These appear to be quite high economy class. I couldn't do any online upgrades last time and presume this would be the same. But if I am paying, say, £1200-1300 for a return economy fare, if I called in and asked for an upgrade quote to WT+ on BA or Business on AA, it would potentially not be a huge gap to bridge to one of the lower business fares?

I'm thinking that I could possibly significantly increase the 120 TP's that each trip is going to get me by a smallish personal upgrade cost, and/or going via somewhere on AA.