I don't know the details of this credit card program - for one thing, you didn't say which credit card program it is, and they differ - but in most such situations, it's better for the owner of the miles to buy a ticket for the traveler than it is to move the miles into the traveler's account. That might mean your friend would have to be involved in what happens if the flight is cancelled, but if this is a good friend, that would presumably be okay with him/her.