I went to purchase a ticket on delta.com, signed up for SkyMiles, and then tries to have my father pay for the flight, because it was to his wedding. 4 times we got an error message saying that delta.com does not allow 3rd party billing. So we call Delta and they tell us that no airlines allow it, which is BS, because I have done it several times on USAirways.com with 2 different people, including my maternal grandmother paying for the ticket with no problem. I also asked them if they could credit me with an online booking bonus because their system is inept, and I got denied.

Am I crazy, or does Delta just not care about anybody. I have never had a problem with 3rd party billing on US or any other carrier for that matter. How is a parent suppossed to purchase a ticket for a minor on Delta.com? I also thought they were very rude considering I had just joined SkyMiles. Has anyone else had similiar experiences?

Delta is a pain concerning 3rd. party billings. Had same problem with them. I bought tickets for reliable 3rd. parties(relatives, trusted friends, etc.) because they know I can find them good bargains (trying not to be boastful). Delta is the only one where I had a problem. I have to call & get their credit card #. (they do not mind--they know me well & trust me). It is a hassle with Delta. They told me they can not set up third party billing--they claim it is fraud issue.

I recently tried a booking on the DL website for a friend's child where the boy's grandfather was paying for the ticket and received the same response from the website.

I went through the website, having created a new skymiles account and was hoping for an online booking bonus miles scenario.

In the old days, the third party would pay for the ticket as a PTA (pre-paid ticket advice). A service charge was always applied for this "service."

I believe this is a nice little revenue generator for the airline and DL is not keen on losing these extra $$'s. I also believe that their policy reduces the possibility of fraud, although many other carriers, their websites and the websites of others (ie, Travelocity) will allow this type of payment.

I'm sorry but I have to side with delta.com, for the simple reason - Till you are hit with fraud relating to 3rd party billing, you'll alwas think that the rules are bit regressive.

My personal experience was in excess of $6,000. Took nearly seven months for things to be resolved with the credit card company -
with affadavits etc...