my two cents:
No one should need to see the card except when the actual purchase is made and signed for. After that, who cares? Did you buy the ticket from the airline directly? If not, why do they care about how you paid for it? It's not their problem nor their business. What if you paid cash?
As for the photo ID's. I have never liked this since a driver's license is supposed to be for when I'm driving. If you are not driving, then no one should need one. After all, this is America and we don't need our "papers" just to prove who we are for no reason. Some places, ID checks are appropriate: bank transactions, credit inquiries, job applications, personal document requests such as birth certs and passports, etc... There is no "real" reason the airline needs to see a photo ID. You have a ticket and that is your authorization to be there. Who really cares who sits in the seat as long as it is paid for.
If anyone thinks that the silly ID check at the ticket counter or gate protects them from an act of terrorism, a bomb, or some other crime, I would love to hear how. IMHO it is all a joke. The REAL reason the ID check is being used is to assist the airline industry in gaining better control on their frequent flyer programs.
Any fool with $1.99 and about a week of time can get around the silly ID check. Plus, as alluded to earlier, I'm generally offended at having to show my official government ID (assuming I have one, many don't-no reason to) simply to move around or conduct simple business transactions. I feel it's wrong, and a real turn in the wrong direction in terms of freedom and privacy.
I know crooks take advantage of our society's liberties in order to more easily commit crimes, but giving up our privacy and liberty in exchange for less crime only trades one social problem for another......just my opinion...a little long winded....sorry