I find it difficult to believe that a UA Reservation Agent can make the call to give away a Saver Award, where one does not exist, based solely on the fact that one does not have an partner miles in their mileage accounts? In effect this agent is "giving away" 50 ~ 100% more miles by giving away a Saver award vs. a Standard award.

I guess if a lot of people can verify this with multiple examples I might be a believer. Personally I have ~ 1.33% partner miles currently, (all from the UA Mileage Plus Visa card) and I'd guess that has been constant for four years. I have not had any problems getting the Saver award, or awards on a Star Alliance partner using UA miles, that I wanted. I have however been very flexible in my requirements for (Saver) award travel.