Buying a ticket for someone else?
 

I remember that these days at check-in you have to show the credit card you purchased your tickets with.
So, how would I go about buying Delta tickets for a friend who doesn't have a credit card? He wants to give me the cash and I will buy him the tickets. He's flying into US, and then 2 flights with the country and leaving. Is there a way of doing this?

I am doing the same but did not know about this limitation. I can't remember the last time I had to show a CC in the USA but don't know what happens when one originates from outside the USA.

Sometimes when it is an international flight they ask for the credit card that was used to purchase the tickets. It is kind of random on when they ask. I have never been asked, but I have heard of people who have been asked.

Have 2 AMEX credit cards on file with Delta.com
These cards have a history of +8 years for the AMEX Platinum card and about 2 years for the Delta AMEX Reserve.

Have used these cards to book all sort of reservations, with USA, USA to Europe, Asia, India and the other way too - India, Europe and Asia to the US.

Even though I am not a travel agent, I do all the bookings for most of my business colleagues - and other people I work for, in addition to family members.

So far - have had zero problems ... a couple of instances when booking my own reservations for within India or within Asia travel using India or Asia based website AMEX has stopped the reservations and sent me a fraud alert.
Once I call AMEX Fraud department - they release the alert and put a notation on the card - so that for the specified period there is no problems.

One lesson learnt - to inform my credit card company (in this case AMEX) in advance of any non-USA travel or travel reservations, that maybe out of the ordinary.

Hope this helps answer the questions posed by the OP.

I routinely buy flights for others with my Delta Amex. I have never in my life been asked for the original credit card at check-in or other time either inside or outside the USA. Strange

IIRC, there is a warning that will display stating that the card needs to be displayed. You don't necessarily need to have this card at check-in but the card does need to be presented to a Delta agent prior to departure. So you could do it in the SkyClub or ticket counter when you are travelling.

The credit card requirement is only on flights to certain destinations, I thought.

This thread suggests that you could go to the Delta counter at your airport, or a Delta ticket office, to show the credit card in advance of the flight. The thread only addresses the case where the card holder is the one traveling, however.

Credit Card Presentation

So, he shouldn't have any problems traveling if he doesn't have my card? Did I understand this correctly?

He shouldn't, but that's not a guarantee. I've been asked for the card once when departing BOM. Not sure why, since it's never happened since. As such, I'd call Delta and ask their advice. Obviously they must have a procedure since I'm sure people buy tickets for others all the time (children and elderly parents are two groups that come immediately to mind).

One piece of uninformed advice: if possible, have your friend do OLCI. I think the odds of being asked for the CC will drop exponentially if he has his BPs already.

With Delta, I think it depends on the origin and destination. From major European and Japanese airports on Delta, I haven't run into this requirement, and I book for others using my card regularly. On other European airlines, however, I have, and in that case I haven't been able to book for others with a credit card. And there's been no way to do online check in when the requirement is in place. There's a warning at booking when this is a requirement, in my experience.

I think it is unlikely that he will be asked to show the card. But if you are concerned, make a photocopy of the card and write a brief explanatory note, signed with the same signature you used on the card.