Originally Posted by RBRJMR

Thanks so much for all of the helpful replies. I've been trolling this site (and this forum in particular) for awhile now, and I'm glad I decided to join the conversation.

Update: We called back and after some prodding, the United rep called SAA to see what they could do. Sounds like UA needs to e-mail SAA regarding openining up additional business class award seats. The SAA rep was optimistic this could be done, but thought it would take 24 to 48 hours. We were told to call back tomorrow to check in. Seems unecessarily inefficient. From what I've read in the past (particularly, TPG's recent experience booking award travel for this same route), I am optimistic more seats will open up, although I am not satisfied that UA/SAA is unable to resolve this error immediately, or at least definitively.