[QUOTE=777 global mile hound #1 United has shifted the lions share of saver to standard award whatever the reason I'm in AAs metal now
UA inventory is starting to resemble Continental in places
Though it still isn't that bad yet.
Though for that matter it doesn't have much further to go
[/QUOTE]

Here are my views on award availability:

There is no way UA saver award availability is anything close to CO. CO has the worst availability of any airline program and it has been that way for years. Like most programs, UA has tightened up some, but their economy award availability is still fairly good. Better than CO, DL, and NW. Business/First on UA is another story....much tighter award inventory now.

AA appears to have tightened up some too, but is still the best in my book.

DL availability is terrible. I never thought it was that great, but it seems to have sunk even further. I can't understand how it continues to shine in the InsideFlyer redemption survey each month. I find the survey closely matches my experiences for all airlines with the exception of DL. Wonder what is going on there?

NW used to have decent award availability, but it too has sunk. Not quite as low as CO or DL, but it is on its way.

Surprisingly, even though in bankruptcy and with a run to cash in miles, US continues to provide good availability. Probably would rank third behind AA and UA....maybe even ahead of UA.

Not much experience with Alaska, but all indications are they right up there with AA.