I will take these comments to heart.

But . . .
I was told there was only one award seat on the plane. Period. When I asked what they advised, they offered no help. Not, gee, can we book this at another time, another date?

I'm booking offseason with the idea there would be more availability.

These are jets, full-sized jets, with a first class cabin. So, not exactly small.

I think what I'm going to have to do is transfer miles to Air Canada's program and try that way.

I'm just thinking that the idea behind reward miles to to have a reward. If there's just no way to take two people to a destination, it's just a lot less valuable.