To stay on topic, I have to agree with CameraGuy. I am not sure that the rule was that you had 30 days to make up your mind on a reward ticket (someone please show me where in the program rules it says that).

In my experience (and I have booked 4 reward trips this year alone) it has always been a 14 day hold on a onepass reward. But, IF you asked nicely (or maybe because of your elite status) you could get an extension. So if one agent won't give an extension, call back and get another "nicer" agent. However, maybe they have gotten more strict about this now.

I think it is overall a good time frame - for the reasons stated above. Remember too, if you still aren't sure about the ticket you can book it and cancel later for a (relatively small) $35 mileage redeposit fee.