There are a lot of intriguing possibilities if you can fly out of PHL right now. I may need to go on a business trip to LAX next week, out Tuesday, back Thursday. Out of Newark, CO's price is $2,067. Of course, you do get an immediate upgrade. If money counts, I can fly coach on CO from PHL to LAS for about $400, and probably upgrade. I then pick up a cheap, less that $100 RT on HP to LAX, and my total cost is ~$500.
One needs to always think where the heat of competition is the hottest and try to fly these routes.