Yes, it definitely does have an impact. You will need to clear both segments to get the upgrade, and you will (I believe) not have the "through" priority in DFW. The only positive is that stickers used are based on and LAX-PHL distance, and not LAX-DFW + DFW-PHL. This won't matter to you as EXO, but a general comment. But, in general, these "direct" flights are not upgrade-friendly. Some (including me) have had luck in calling and getting them to split this into 2 segments. Seems less likely recently.
Cheers.
Thanks.
I have 2 reservations for different weeks. The CS agent was able to split one but not the other. kind of odd. I'll try again.
The whole thing was weird. I was taken off my original connection of 1776 and moved to a later flight even though the new originating flight was 1776! I know it's done by computer but you would think it would recognize the number.