Interesting to see it put like that. I'll say that's one BIG positive about the Alaska Airlines Partner Desk--they will literally spend an hour with you on the phone to find and book your perfect flights. Friendliest and most competent travel industry phone reps I've ever dealt with.

Two reasons to call them: a) they do have access to view inventory across larger periods of time than the AS website allows, and b) for most of AS's partners, online booking isn't available, so you kinda have to call them.

AS partner agents can look for any inventory across an entire month in a matter of seconds (although they won't often by default see some of the more creative routings possible); do UA agents have the same ability? If not, that would explain why it's not all that helpful to call.