I just booked 5 Saver awards IAD-LAS for next July/August. Since we'll be in E- and have no direct service I may burn some Amex MR points and fly with -gulp- Southwest direct BWI-LAS. It would save me 125K UA miles for something bigger and better at some unknown point in the future!

The point though, is there are Saver awards. Call, don't rely on what United.com says is available.