also had this years ago on EY when flying *from* India - I had bought the ticket for my wife, and they insisted that I present myself at the checkin counter with my card - it wasn’t enough for her to take my card in. Delhi airport security wouldn’t allow me in without a flight ticket that day, so I had to book a low cost ticket to somewhere on my phone to get in.

I have had it a couple of times around Europe as well. There are no doubt many potential triggers involved.