Might he have been suggesting using Amex miles or another program?

I did that this year.

DL Award ticket would have been 40,000 - cash was $428.
Used 42,800 amex miles instead, but got a transcon that earned me miles and mqms (and got the BE upgrade in one direction).

Of course with bonuses, 42,800 amex miles would really = 53,500 Skypesos or so, but I still felt better earning than letting the opportunity go to waste.