I have installed this flooring in several rooms and love it.
No it doesn't feel like wood floors when you walk on it though.

No I don't see any reason why you couldn't put it on top of he laminate. It does not stick to the subfloor. They just stick to each other.

it be possible to remove the baseboards and lay the trafficmaster allure out over the existing laminate, see how it wears and then if I like it pull up the laminate and put the assembled vinyl plank back down over the subfloor?

I was curious about the Trafficmaster Allure vinyl plank flooring, so searched a bit on it. I found this at the link below.

"The vinyl planks stick to one other with pre-applied adhesive on the edges, without a need for any additional glue, and the only recommended tool for installation is a razor knife." so I don't think that taking it up and then putting it back down, would be an option

You might want to read through this thread....Novalis peel-and-stick vinyl planks -- feedback?. I read it yesterday and was very impressed and think that is what I will go with for several areas in my home. It is about 1/2 the cost of Allure and what I think is particularly nice is that if plank gets damaged, it can be taken up and a new one easily installed.

Maybe you would like to try it in a small area first?

Google images for novalis peel and stick It is available at Lowe's.

Here is a link that might be useful: Trafficmaster Allure