Had 2 problems in the past. Once booked a ticket for my 16 year old son using my credit card. We have the same last name. He has a state issued ID card. He got to the airport and the check-in machine would not let him check in. The airline personnel would also not let him check in. They said that the credit card paying for the ticket had to match the name on the ticket. So he missed his flight. When I called and made a stink about it, (I can't ever book a ticket for my kids who are too young to have a credit card?) they refunded my money and said the name-matching was for "security reasons." Had no answer as far as how I was supposed to buy him tickets. I believe this was AA.

The second time was Jetblue believe it or not. I paid with a Visa debit card that had my husband's name on it. I've always paid Jetblue this way, (until I got my useless Jetblue American Express). When I went to check-in online it would not allow me to do so. Called them and they said the names had to match. I never once had that problem with Jetblue and never had that problem again. But I guess it can happen.

So good luck... just anecdotes...no advice here, since it all seems to rely on what mood they're in that day.