Originally Posted by
Upgraded!
Biggest difference between the two:
Credit card companies are doing this for your protection and theirs.
Airlines are doing this for their protection.
Completely wrong. CC issuers bear 100% of the fraud risk. If someone runs up a tab on your card, it's a hassle, but not ultimately your problem. Air carriers have the same risk, e.g., losing money. That money comes out of our pockets one way or another.