In other words, are you saying that Standard awards (with their higher mileage requirements) are always available as long as a seat in the requested cabin is available? So to check availability of Standard awards for a given class, one would only need to check flight/seat availability in that class?

Of course, I have NEVER used Standard awards! I always use Saver awards and would be very reluctant to spend the extra miles for Standard. Still, it's worth knowing.

Kathy