Maybe I'm just lucky or it has something to do with being in Houston, but I recently booked a standard reward ticket from IAH-GIG with no problem (booked in October for trip in January) - and it's only 35000 miles.

This is the only time I've booked an award ticket from CO, so I can't say whether it's always this easy from IAH. But it can be done.

I am interested in this discussion, b/c I also have tons of MileagePlus miles (thanks to the MP Visa), but have yet to find the availability I want for saver awards...at least by checking the web site.

FF