I'm not sure why this bothers you so much? Presumably security? If so I wouldn't be overly worried; all passengers are subject to same procedures and scrutiny regardless of how tickets are paid for. If anything, those travelling with a ticket paid for by somebody else will likely be scrutinised even more if the fact comes to light.

You can purchase tickets for others travelling without the cc holder at many airline and third-part sites. IMO the situation you describe at EK that also happens at a few other sites is simply an inconvenience because many people will often want to make reservations only for others.

One thing to be aware of is that some airlines want to see the cc at check-in so don't cancel it after reservation but before flight.