United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - Trying to book with miles on United?

I hope I posted this on the right board.

Heres my dilemma..

Im researching a round trip flight for MDT-VCE (Harrisburg PA - Venice Italy)
Ive got enough united miles to get me alone back and forth (buying my wifes ticket separate), or my wife and I on just one direction. Ill have to buy something either way.
Oddly enough, I can find the awards itinerary ONLY on the awards booking page. I cant find it normally to buy my wifes ticket and use miles for mine separately. The flights numbers and times differ after the first layover.

I cant find any option that allows me to use miles on one direction and buy the other. In fact, when it says I dont have enough miles, I can purchase the remainder for twice what the whole flight costs! :eek:

Is there a way to use half and buy half? Or how can I find the same flight to get the tickets separately (miles and purchase)?

It would be awesome if I could pick each flight myself..

My other option seems to be to buy a mixed star alliance flight on orbitz (one direction is united), and upgrade ourselves into economy plus using miles.

I seem to remember the UA webpage being easier to use before the merger...:rolleyes:

Thanks for the help.