I need to have the (physical) credit card used to buy the ticket to board?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 182
I need to have the (physical) credit card used to buy the ticket to board?
Trying to buy LED-MSY, and the Delta website says I need to have the physical credit card used for the purchase to board the flight! 
So if I happen to lose the physical card, I'm stuck, and have to wait until the issuer sends me a replacement?
I've never had this type of treatment before. I don't see how in the world someone could buy a ticket in my name and present my passport to use it, unless this crook had somehow gotten hold of a fake passport in my name - and in which case, there would be a lot more at stake than someone stealing a $300 ticket!
Delta claims that the credit card issuer is requiring this (I'd bet THAT's a lie)!

So if I happen to lose the physical card, I'm stuck, and have to wait until the issuer sends me a replacement?

I've never had this type of treatment before. I don't see how in the world someone could buy a ticket in my name and present my passport to use it, unless this crook had somehow gotten hold of a fake passport in my name - and in which case, there would be a lot more at stake than someone stealing a $300 ticket!
Delta claims that the credit card issuer is requiring this (I'd bet THAT's a lie)!


#2
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Pretty standard from high credit card fraud airports. You are normally exempt if you are elite in Skymiles or purchase via third party (OTA).
#3
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Not sure why you think it's a lie, when it is not only the truth but hardly secret and is a long-standing practice.
DL's merchant acquirer, just like most, employs anti-fraud software which flags some transactions as sufficiently suspicious as warranting the presentation of the physical card. While there is no way to know exactly what triggered your situation (could have been entering the wrong CVV or expiration date or transposing digits in the card number. Could also be that you purchased a one-way ticket or are originating from a high-fraud location (which LED most certainly is). Not worth trying to figure out why and it could be any number of other reasons as well.
If your card is stolen, there are alternative means and you should contact DL immediately so as to not cause even lengthier delays at LED on departure.
To be precise, the merchant acquirer does not require it, but will not cover DL's loss if the card turns out to be fraudulently used. If consumers want anti-fraud protection through the chargeback process, it is fair for vendors to protect themselves.
DL's merchant acquirer, just like most, employs anti-fraud software which flags some transactions as sufficiently suspicious as warranting the presentation of the physical card. While there is no way to know exactly what triggered your situation (could have been entering the wrong CVV or expiration date or transposing digits in the card number. Could also be that you purchased a one-way ticket or are originating from a high-fraud location (which LED most certainly is). Not worth trying to figure out why and it could be any number of other reasons as well.
If your card is stolen, there are alternative means and you should contact DL immediately so as to not cause even lengthier delays at LED on departure.
To be precise, the merchant acquirer does not require it, but will not cover DL's loss if the card turns out to be fraudulently used. If consumers want anti-fraud protection through the chargeback process, it is fair for vendors to protect themselves.
#4
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As others have noted, not unusual depending on the circumstances, airport(s) involved, etc.
Previous DL threads:
https://www.google.com/search?q=site...d+verification
Dropping "Delta" from the search terms shows this happens on many airlines:
https://www.google.com/search?q=site...d+verification
From one of the threads, buying through an OTA may be a way to avoid the check.
Previous DL threads:
https://www.google.com/search?q=site...d+verification
Dropping "Delta" from the search terms shows this happens on many airlines:
https://www.google.com/search?q=site...d+verification
From one of the threads, buying through an OTA may be a way to avoid the check.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 182
Not sure why you think it's a lie, when it is not only the truth but hardly secret and is a long-standing practice.
DL's merchant acquirer, just like most, employs anti-fraud software which flags some transactions as sufficiently suspicious as warranting the presentation of the physical card. While there is no way to know exactly what triggered your situation (could have been entering the wrong CVV or expiration date or transposing digits in the card number. Could also be that you purchased a one-way ticket or are originating from a high-fraud location (which LED most certainly is). Not worth trying to figure out why and it could be any number of other reasons as well.
If your card is stolen, there are alternative means and you should contact DL immediately so as to not cause even lengthier delays at LED on departure.
To be precise, the merchant acquirer does not require it, but will not cover DL's loss if the card turns out to be fraudulently used. If consumers want anti-fraud protection through the chargeback process, it is fair for vendors to protect themselves.
DL's merchant acquirer, just like most, employs anti-fraud software which flags some transactions as sufficiently suspicious as warranting the presentation of the physical card. While there is no way to know exactly what triggered your situation (could have been entering the wrong CVV or expiration date or transposing digits in the card number. Could also be that you purchased a one-way ticket or are originating from a high-fraud location (which LED most certainly is). Not worth trying to figure out why and it could be any number of other reasons as well.
If your card is stolen, there are alternative means and you should contact DL immediately so as to not cause even lengthier delays at LED on departure.
To be precise, the merchant acquirer does not require it, but will not cover DL's loss if the card turns out to be fraudulently used. If consumers want anti-fraud protection through the chargeback process, it is fair for vendors to protect themselves.
What are the "alternative means"? It seems that the only way someone would be able to use my ticket would be to have a USA passport in my name.
#6
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#7
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Online Travel Agency, yes. I don't generally use them but does Kayak usually do its own bookings or is it more like Google Flights where it finds search results but still directs you elsewhere to book? Orbitz/Expedia/Priceline might be other ones to try instead.
#8
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Using one of the third-party vendors which call themselves OTA's works to the extent that the OTA is not as diligent as DL. In other words, the OTA accepts the fraud risk which DL will not (and should not). All of the hassles with OTA's are a heck of a lot worse than the extraordinarily remote chance that OP loses the card. Just take care of it and it won't happen.
If it does, as I said, call DL. There are alternatives. What they might be in LED I have no idea. But, it's not something DL will discuss with you until and unless it occurs.
If it does, as I said, call DL. There are alternatives. What they might be in LED I have no idea. But, it's not something DL will discuss with you until and unless it occurs.
#9
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This isn't about someone else using your ticket, it's about you using someone else's credit card. (Not saying that's what you did, just that's what the fraud detection algorithms are worried about.)
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 182
UPDATE
I got the problem with my address squared away, and then was able to successfully purchase the ticket, and I asked the agent about whether I needed the card for check-in, and she said no. Hmm ...
Also, if it matters, technically it is a debit card that has CC purchase ability. That is probably the difference.
Also, if it matters, technically it is a debit card that has CC purchase ability. That is probably the difference.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 182
Kayak seems to search all the OTAs and airline sites for the best deal. A few years ago, their site would pop up different browser windows for all the OTAs, but this time it seemed to lead me to the Delta site. Delta's price seemed to be cheaper than Orbitz - Orbitz had the same price for a similar flight, one that arrives a few hours later.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 182
If Delta let someone use it, that would mean that the thief would have a fake passport with his picture, but registered to me; I think that HomeSec & DepState would be much more interested in the case.
Last edited by swampwiz; Sep 17, 20 at 6:38 pm
#15
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Should the system see the matching name? Sure. Is Delta unwilling to risk it? Apparently. I never knew this was the case before your thread, so while it probably doesn't give you any solace, it was educational to some of us.