Several years ago when the airlines began enhancing their identity-checking procedures for passengers to make sure the person flying was the person named on the ticket, they began asking people to present the credit card that they used when they purchased the ticket along with the ubiquitous "gov't issued photo id card". Why do they do this? Does it have something to do with credit card fraud? What happens if you don't have the card on you when you go to the airport? Sometimes I cancel a card, or I leave all but one or two at home to avoid loss or theft, etc. What if I leave "The Card" at home?

yes, it's to reduce fraud.

You don't want me to buy a ticket with your CC number by phone and get away with it do you? So they ask to see the actual card.

And yes, it can cause problems. This has been discussed before so use "Search" to find old posts.

The solution is to show them the card before check-in. At any ticket office (city or airport) so an agent can leave a remark in your file that it's checked.

This way, you don't have to worry about it on the day of travel.

I booked a couple of flights on the aa.com site last year with a credit card, and upon completion, read on the Web site that I had to show the credit card at check in. Well, at check in, I was told it was not necessary, and they didn't care to see the credit card.

I have flown on CO, Midwest Express, AA, Southwest, America West, Delta this year. Not since 1999 have any of them asked to see the credit card when I check-in. They have all required that "governement issued photo ID", e.g. my driver's license or -- if interntational -- my passport.

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He who dies with the most miles ... is dead.

Thanks for the input at all. I don't see how there could be fraud since you have to show a picture ID showing that you are the person named on the ticket to get on the plane. Would I be so stupid as to use someone elses credit card to buy a ticket in my own name? I think it would be easy for them to catch me.
But it does point out the problem that irkes me the most about airlines. People have posted saying that they have checked in and NOT had to show the card. Others have had to show it. Why is it that depending on who you get at the airport, some enfore a rule and others don't. I have had one employee tell me that a picture work ID is no good and another took it, no problem. I have had some flight attendants check a carry on small bag in the garmet bag hanging closet and others said it is against the rules, only garmet bags there. I have had some tell me that I could get standby on a Priceline ticket and another said no way.

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

A lot of tickets were sold online or on the phone and charged to a credit card. The actual credit was never presented. Like you said, an ID is relatively easy to fake so Airlines check CC to reduce their loss.

I am not encouraging any fraudulent activity but let me give you an example. Some one can steal a credit card number (eg, from sales slip) and use that to purchase ticket for the upcoming weekend for a quick trip. It's relative easy to fake an ID for check in. In fact, there is really no need as that person can use his real identity but with a slight variation of first name. Instead of William J. Smith, he can buy it as Bill Smith or J. Smith... he will have the right ID to board.

By the time this charge is discovered... usually weeks later, the trip is long completed. Yes you will get a name but would that help to track down the thief? Where are you going to find J. Smith as there are thousands in USA?

This happens frequently so airlines decided to stop their loss in revenue by seeing the actual card.

I think the only person entitled to see the card is the merchant that sold the ticket, at the time of the sale. And even then, per agreements with merchants and the credit protection act, no ID is required, just signature match. If the AIRLINE sold the ticket on-line, then requesting the card at checkin is acceptable since they are the merchant and should have the card present to conduct a sale anyway (just like a Hotel should always get an imprint of your card and signature when you check in).
I use American Express Private Payments when I shop online, so the number used on the ticket wouldn't match my card # anyway, oh well...I just can't win... :-)

Some hotels (e.g., Hilton Crystal City at National Airport in DC) never take an imprint of my card. I've asked them about that several times, and was told that they didn't need it, as long as I was planning to pay with the same card that has been used to guarantee my reservation.

Any merchant that does a "card not present" transaction is taking a chance. They have a weak defense if the customer disputes the charge.