Is anyone else noticing increasing numbers of black out days for redemption?

I live in Houston and have been trying to book a redemption (MFU, full miles, whatever) and it's like looking for pixies. You can book outbound on a Tuesday and fly back on a Thursday. Ah yes, that well known bracket of holiday dates the 'Tuesday-Thursday' European holiday. Still, at least there wouldn't be any jet lag and only a one night hotel bill.

I thought I might be able to book a redemption flexi and then change to any dates I wanted subsequently, but BAEC say 'no, you can only change redemption flights to be on services where there is already redemption availability'.

So, I earn all these points, I can't use them to travel when I want / need to. The only direct OneWorld flight from IAH to LHR is with BA so what to do? Why do I fly with you anymore, BA?