If OP is based in DEN, why stick with AA? Flying AA to any destination, probably except LAX MIA and ORD, OP would face the same dilemma:

PHX - Bad airport experience, generally pretty meh LUS aircraft

DFW - good airport and generally better planes, but DFW being DFW means no upgrades. It’s probably a small detour to most destinations

Might as well consider a match UA, at least UA gets you places (even UA Silver gets E+, and UA planes have much, much more E+ than AA MCE)