Hi everyone,

Considering making a change to upcoming trip to potentially improve upgrade chances and wanted to get the group's consensus. Of note: 5 passengers - wife with no status on one PNR will be miles + cash UG, me and 3 daughters will be SWU - I am EXP but have spent nothing on AA this year so will be bottom of EXP tier in terms of priority. Neither option currently showing U or C.

Current:
Saturday, Dec 15. NRT-DFW-MIA
NRT-DFW 176 on 772 J7D0I0, 24 seats open in J
DFW-MIA 2550 on 738 J1D0I0, 1 or 2 seats open in J so that's unlikely

New Option: For $175 a person, I could change to:
Friday, Dec 14. NRT-LAX-MIA
NRT-LAX 170 on 789 J7D7I7, 23 seats open in J
LAX-MIA 1217 on 32B J7D7I7, 11 seats open in J

So, do you think changing to the NRT-LAX-MIA improves upgrade chances enough to pay change fee? Total travel time between the two is similar, and there is upside to leaving Narita at night so kids sleep better and getting in a day earlier.

All in all, seems like a worthwhile change but anything you guys think I'm missing?