My experience is that this is NOT true at all. I called MP repeatedly to book AQ HNL-KOA around Thanksgiving. Got what the day after I wanted, so we overnighted on Waikiki. The return was more of a problem. NOTHING seemed available on the days I wanted. Finally I was able to separate the family across 2 flights leaving an hour apart. Not bad. Once there, decided to stay an extra couple days, and went standby on the flight we wanted.

MP's people weren't too knowledgeable about AQ bookings. It got to the point where I was telling them the procedure. I also got caught up in the new mandatory $15 charge for ticketing over the phone even though there is no other way to do AQ tix. One agent, who seemed knowledgeable, assured me I wouldn't be charge as it wouldn't be logical if no other ticketing option existed. She urged me to keep trying on dates and ticket later. When I went to ticket the day after the charge started, I got the cold shoulder when explaining what I'd been told. The previous agent even put a note in the record, but United wouldn't budge. Pay or no ticket.

I have heard here and elsewhere that, even though the rules state no standby using MP award tickets, AQ will do it. We weren't charged a change or standby fee. Be sure to verify availability, though. Our flight miraculously found 30 new pax overnight!