Also some partners, particularly LHG seem to be dumping premium cabin space on the award market while UA seems to be much more restrained about it -- looking at routing changes for our flight home last week, for example, there were LH F options that would have been significantly cheaper (miles wise) than the UA saver J we were confirmed in.

The quote from that exercise that my wife posted on Facebook: "Wow, there are some really interesting routings we could take if I didn't enjoy being married to you"

My guess is that LH RM has figured that those seats are unlikely to sell and a butt in the seat with some revenue (whatever UA "pays" LH for the redemption) vs. letting the inventory spoil where UA would rather let the inventory spoil on the basis of preserving exclusivity/having space for last-last minute bookings, etc.