I think I can answer this myself (^ to KD ).

Looking online, assuming the BA Calculator holds for AA and BA flights (which I'm sure it does), if I could book DEN via ORD from LHR in economy that would earn 80 TP's each way rather than 60.

If I was then able to pay personally for an UG to WT+ then that would increase further still to 100 TP's each way.

100 TP's each leg would leave me at 540 TP's and getting 60 more would be a lot easier!

I don't suppose if I paid WT, then paid an UG to WT+, I could then use miles to UG further to Club? This would be very helpful on the ORD-LHR legs in particular.