1000 miles says the OP, or the OP's "friend" has an award booked through a particular airline with a hub in PHL. It's happened before. It won't be the last. Just shut up about it. Also, conversely the reverse happens more often than it should and I suspect some people don't fight for the redeposit of the extra mileage.

FWIW - I suggest never discussing these situations publicly. Remember the first rule of fight club...