If you are already elite LGA-PHL-RDU and return. You'll get 500 EQM's for each segment. Also, try to book a PHL-RDU segment that just turns around and goes back to PHL. You may not be able to book the immediate return, but you can stand by for it.
About 5 years ago I flew RDU-PHL-LGA and return. I left home at 4AM and was back in time for a (late) lunch and got the 4 segments I needed.
As to fare, there's really no way to fly for less than what AA posts on their website.