Generally speaking, there aren’t rules against having an airline ticket purchased by a third party. There are some specific exceptions, though I don’t remember the last time I’ve heard of such a requirement for domestic travel within the United States. That brings me to a very unusual story that has been shared with me…
In this post:
Frontier refuses passenger boarding for strange reason
An OMAAT reader asked for my take on a situation that he just dealt with. He and his daughter were booked on a Frontier flight from Phoenix (PHX) to San Francisco (SFO) on December 7, 2025, with the tickets having been purchased around three weeks earlier. They booked using a friend’s credit card, since that friend had an Amex Offers deal for $50 off a $200 purchase, which they weren’t otherwise going to use.
A day before the flight, the traveler went to check-in online, but wasn’t able to do so. So he contacted Frontier’s customer support, and was told to bring copies of the purchaser’s ID and credit card to the airport, when checking in. As the reader explains:
I brought exactly what they requested, but airport agents said the purchaser must be physically present at the same airport with the original card. They confirmed via their internal line that verification at the purchaser’s home airport was not allowed. The supervisor also claimed this was “against the Contract of Carriage” and that Frontier does not allow tickets purchased by someone who isn’t traveling. When I asked for written documentation of the policy or reason for denial, they refused.
The traveler ended up having to book a separate ticket on American, and asks for my thoughts on whether Frontier’s handling of the situation aligns with published policies. He also asks what action I’d recommend he take, like filing a complaint with the Department of Transportation (DOT) over involuntary denied boarding.
For what it’s worth, I asked if there was otherwise anything unusual with the ticket, or any sign that things were wrong. He explained that everything looked normal until online check-in. He also clarified that a different friend purchased separate Frontier tickets for him on a separate trip in August, using the same promotion, and there was no issue at all.
I’m really confused by how this could happen?
Based on some quick online searches, I don’t see widespread reports of Frontier requiring that the information for the passenger and the credit card member must march. I also went through Frontier’s contract of carriage, and I see no mention of a requirement for the cardmember to also be the person flying.
If you are going to require documentation from the person who used their credit card:
- It’s important for the airline to share the correct details with the traveler about the documentation that needs to be provided
- It seems unreasonable that the verification can’t happen at any Frontier station, but instead, has to happen at the departure airport
I don’t even see what Frontier’s motive here would be. It’s one thing if we were talking about loyalty program fraud, or something, but we’re just talking about an outright ticket purchase with a credit card. Is there some other potential explanation here? I can’t imagine Frontier is directly tracking how people are using Amex Offers deals, so that wouldn’t make much sense to me either.
With that in mind, what would I do in this situation? Well, I think trying to bring some attention to this is probably the best thing that can be done. I wouldn’t expect much resolution in going through traditional customer service channels (most airlines aren’t great at this, and in particular, I’d manage my expectations with an ultra low cost carrier). Sure, a DOT complaint could be filed, but that’s potentially a long process, and I’m not sure if it’s worth the effort.
I’ll forward this to Frontier’s communications department, and see if they have anything to share. But otherwise, I’d like to open it to the OMAAT community, and hear what others think.
Bottom line
Typically it’s not an issue to buy an airline ticket with someone else’s credit card, especially for domestic flights, since it’s a common practice. However, an OMAAT reader had booked a Frontier ticket with a friend’s credit card, to take advantage of an Amex Offers deal.
He wasn’t able to check-in online, and was told he needed to bring a copy of the cardholder’s ID. He did that, but that wasn’t sufficient, and he was told that the cardmember needed to be present at that airport. Despite claims by the representative, I don’t see anything in Frontier’s contract of carriage supporting this.
What do you make of this Frontier credit card situation?
I doubt it has anything to do with the contract of carriage. It may be a requirement of one of their credit card servicers. The credit card bank is probably getting sick of being scammed, and instituted the requirement on Frontier, as part of Frontier’s contract with the credit card bank. I doubt Frontier cares. As long as they get the money, they’re not concerned where it comes from.
This happened to us. We booked as a gift ticket for 4 to come and spend time with us and it was insane. Our credit card already have fraud protection, why would an airline try to pol8ce my credit card usage. This was such an awful time not just for us but to our friends and their kids who ended up spending hours at the airport. Customer service kept bouncing us back and forth with...
This happened to us. We booked as a gift ticket for 4 to come and spend time with us and it was insane. Our credit card already have fraud protection, why would an airline try to pol8ce my credit card usage. This was such an awful time not just for us but to our friends and their kids who ended up spending hours at the airport. Customer service kept bouncing us back and forth with the airport personnel, it was ridiculous to say the least. It truly made use rethink using Frintier, if saving a few bucks isn't woth the troubles.
I have had problem after problem, after problem with Frontier. I realize their flights are cheap, but they get you baggage fees, and the seats are NOT comfortable. Trying to speak with a human being is horrible. I waited on hold, and it went from 20 minutes to 40 minutes to 10 minutes to 115 minutes. No one ever answered. Simply use another airline! Yes, if you have problems, they WILL charge you at the counter to check you in.
Recently booked a flight with them, made to the airport checked in. Ticket didn’t have a gate number. Found out that they changed the gate number last minute had to run across the airport to a different gate at a different terminal. Myself and a few other flyers were denied entry to get on the plane and stated that they sent out a notification about the change. Apparently they cancelled our flight as a no-show...
Recently booked a flight with them, made to the airport checked in. Ticket didn’t have a gate number. Found out that they changed the gate number last minute had to run across the airport to a different gate at a different terminal. Myself and a few other flyers were denied entry to get on the plane and stated that they sent out a notification about the change. Apparently they cancelled our flight as a no-show both ways. Received the confirmation of gate change at 155am. Woke up this morning, received notification to check-in my flight that they said was cancelled. On top of the situation they refuse to give me a refund after purchasing a flight protection with them.
Sounds similar to rental car procedure , policy setup to crack down on fraudulent credit card use
I just flew Frontier from LAS to PHX and witnessed a similar situation while dropping off my checked bag at the ticketing counter. The customer in front of me was working with the ONLY Agent at the counter. The customer was on the phone with the person who had purchased the flight while the agent was on the phone with someone higher up at Frontier. When all was said and done, the original ticket was...
I just flew Frontier from LAS to PHX and witnessed a similar situation while dropping off my checked bag at the ticketing counter. The customer in front of me was working with the ONLY Agent at the counter. The customer was on the phone with the person who had purchased the flight while the agent was on the phone with someone higher up at Frontier. When all was said and done, the original ticket was refunded to the person who had originally purchased it and the customer had to pay for a new ticket with her own credit card at the ticketing counter. The agent matched the fare that was originally paid, except she had to pay a higher fee for her bags since the bag fees are more when paying through an agent. She could have paid the lower fees if she paid them online but due to the time it took to figure everything else out, she only had 5 minutes before the cut off to check a bag. Bottom line is it created a poor customer experience not only for her but for the dozen or more people who were waiting to drop off their bags but couldn't since the only agent was actively dealing with one customer.
Ive had that requirement with Delta but for an international flight and it was booked maybe less than 20-hours prior to travel. The alert showed prior to being allowed to purchase. It was fine for me but a pain for online check-in. I was also purchasing my father's ticket and he was travelling from a different airport. I didnt readily have his CC information so was going to use mine. My brother passed away while...
Ive had that requirement with Delta but for an international flight and it was booked maybe less than 20-hours prior to travel. The alert showed prior to being allowed to purchase. It was fine for me but a pain for online check-in. I was also purchasing my father's ticket and he was travelling from a different airport. I didnt readily have his CC information so was going to use mine. My brother passed away while abroad so it was a last minute booking. I think its supposed to help fight fraud. But this is shameful considering they'd purchased 3 weeks prior.
Same thing happened to me an my bf. We ordered through 3rd party, printed tickets, arrived at frontier, we were told that bc of fraud incidents we would have to show the same PHYSICAL CARD USED TO PAY ONLINE, we give them the card we payed them with, we were told it s not the same number as the payment there for they couldn't let us board until then . We were stranded!. Bottom line...
Same thing happened to me an my bf. We ordered through 3rd party, printed tickets, arrived at frontier, we were told that bc of fraud incidents we would have to show the same PHYSICAL CARD USED TO PAY ONLINE, we give them the card we payed them with, we were told it s not the same number as the payment there for they couldn't let us board until then . We were stranded!. Bottom line when you book 3rd party make sure the payment you give is the one printed on the ticket receipt, bc if the 3rd party pays with their "card" instead, they technically are the purchaser! your name or money doesn't prove nothing. We had the 3rd party on 1 line, an frontier on the other. I'll frontier could tell us was we have to do what they say to follow procedures in order to board that they do not see any problems however they were not looking at their screen and could not do nothing for us! BEWARE. THEY WERE ALSO SELL YOUR TICKETS ON A FLIGHT THAT ARE SOLD OUT SO YOU'RE EXPECTING ONE FLIGHT AND HAVE TO WAIT TILL THE NEXT BUT THE LAST MINUTE TO NOTICE. CRAZY HUH
Some airlines require that the cardmember sign an authorization. It is very common for foreign (non-US airlines).
I started flying out of Cincinnati on Frontier with a cautious mindset and low expectations. I quickly realized I liked it, especially as other airlines started shrinking leg room and charging for this and that. I liked it so much, I joined their Discount Den and then their annual unlimited packages. I've had more issues with Delta. To date, zero issues and I'll fly any day without hesitation on Frontier!
Hi, must airline if the credit card owner information can't be fully verify when making the purchase online, they approve you purchase and normally asked to if you can show the card at the airport, if the person making the transaction accept this warning, then he was to be ask for the card at the airport, not only bring the copy, the owner need to be present. I have the same issue with Delta once,...
Hi, must airline if the credit card owner information can't be fully verify when making the purchase online, they approve you purchase and normally asked to if you can show the card at the airport, if the person making the transaction accept this warning, then he was to be ask for the card at the airport, not only bring the copy, the owner need to be present. I have the same issue with Delta once, my some was travelling and they notify me before he took off to the airport, I stop by at nearby airport and showed Delta my card and he then was clear to fly out of a airport 4 hours away from where we live. Card owner full information should match when making a online or phone purchase...it don't matter the airlines
Worst airline I ever tried to fly. Yes tried. Not one person spoke English and was told I needed a paper boarding pass. My boarding pass was on my phone. Missed my flight because of inaccuracies on there end. I would not fly them if they had 15.00 tickets.
Perhaps the reason you had trouble was you didn't understand the language they were speaking. You said they didn't speak English. Learning a second language can be helpful
This is somewhat common with foreign carriers, almost all have systems in place to avoid it creating a problem. Usually, filling out a credit card authorization form, or the cardholder can show up at any global ticket office.
A great example of a well executed policy is EVA Air , which requires a form to be signed at the ticket office.
If you, as the credit card holder, will not be among...
This is somewhat common with foreign carriers, almost all have systems in place to avoid it creating a problem. Usually, filling out a credit card authorization form, or the cardholder can show up at any global ticket office.
A great example of a well executed policy is EVA Air , which requires a form to be signed at the ticket office.
If you, as the credit card holder, will not be among the travel party, you must present your credit card and passport/legally accepted photo ID to EVA Air and sign an indemnity form. This can be done in one of two ways:
Visit any EVA Air office during business hours and at least 48 hours before the passenger's scheduled departure.
You must bring your credit card and passport/legally accepted photo ID, and sign an Indemnity of Payment Form.
Visit the EVA Air counter at the airport at least one hour before scheduled departure. You must bring your credit card and passport/legally accepted photo ID, and sign an Indemnity of Payment Form.
http://www.evaair.com/en-global/_download-files/booking-ticketing/word-indemnity-payment-form-en.html
I recently planned a trip that involved 2 of us flying from one location, meeting up with 4 others flying in from another location. I organized and put together the whole itinerary, purchased the flights (two tickets were on Frontier one-way), rented the condo, bought the Disney and Universal passes... all on my card because I was the one putting the trip together. I'm not a travel agent, but I never even thought twice about...
I recently planned a trip that involved 2 of us flying from one location, meeting up with 4 others flying in from another location. I organized and put together the whole itinerary, purchased the flights (two tickets were on Frontier one-way), rented the condo, bought the Disney and Universal passes... all on my card because I was the one putting the trip together. I'm not a travel agent, but I never even thought twice about the issue in this article. As long as I have the information for each traveler and it matches their IDs, does it matter? I'm grateful we didn't have any issues but I will keep this in mind for next time. Also, we are never flying Frontier again.
If they purchase the tickets den discount the original account holder must use their credit card
I'm an Silver level member with Frontier. When you book a flight online with Frontier, when you are at the page where you enter your credit card information. In red letters it says clearly. You are required to have the credit card and the name on the ticket must match the name on the card.
My only thought has to why it's this way. Credit Card fraud. I'm sure they've had charges denied based on the card holder not being the same person.
As previously noted, I wouldn’t wish Frontier so called airlines on my worst enemy. I have flown them twice and each time it was a disaster. The customer service before during and after is horrible. This airlines just doesn’t care about having customers. You couldn’t pay me to fly this train wreck airlines again
I'm gonna guess that it's the second incident of purchasing tickets using someone else's card that flagged it as possible fraud.
Ridiculous. This airline also kicked a mother and her two sleeping children off a flight because she kept asking when they were going to depart. That is also ridiculous. Frontier airlines is way too big for their britches.
I have purchased airline tickets for relatives of same last name many times. No problems. I am also victim of identity theft and paid for tickets from and to places I have never been. I see the Airlines issue with credit card fraud and sympathize with them. At the same time I also don't appreciate paying for a scammers west coast trip.
I also found this a bit odd a second friend purchased this person flight tickets. What's up with that?
I purchase airline tickets using my credit card for others all the time, often times I'm not traveling with them. Never heard of anything like this. But I have had major run-ins with useless agents with Frontier. I've learned that often they are 3rd party hires and not actual Frontier employees. But I was able to contact Frontier customer service and get a refund for the error made by the agents. This gentleman should definitely...
I purchase airline tickets using my credit card for others all the time, often times I'm not traveling with them. Never heard of anything like this. But I have had major run-ins with useless agents with Frontier. I've learned that often they are 3rd party hires and not actual Frontier employees. But I was able to contact Frontier customer service and get a refund for the error made by the agents. This gentleman should definitely try to get a refund from Frontier because those agents were just flat wrong, in my opinion.
So under this rule, my employer can’t pay for my ticket, only I can? Good luck running an airline that bans business travel, lol.
This triggered Frontier’s fraud scoring pure and simple. Most airlines use third parties (e.g. Accerify, Cybersource) to score fraud risk on “card not present” transactions and require more verification to resolve. It has more to do with the purchaser’s recent pattern of use of the card. Front line employees have no insight to this process as they’re only provided instructions to resolve when it happens.
This is bull$#|+! (Then again, it *is* Frontier.) When my kids were in college, I would buy their tickets to fly back home for holidays and the like -- never an issue that it was on my credit card, never an issue that I wasn't physically at the airport, and never put them on Frontier...or Spirit. (FWIW, it was mainly on Southwest and the points earned on the flights were theirs to keep.)
Sometimes my...
This is bull$#|+! (Then again, it *is* Frontier.) When my kids were in college, I would buy their tickets to fly back home for holidays and the like -- never an issue that it was on my credit card, never an issue that I wasn't physically at the airport, and never put them on Frontier...or Spirit. (FWIW, it was mainly on Southwest and the points earned on the flights were theirs to keep.)
Sometimes my wife and I book separate reservations (easier for expense accounts or reimbursements), but the tickets are purchased using the same credit card. That means one of us is flying on a ticket purchased on someone else's card with no apparent connection between her reservation and mine (two separate transactions, two separate reservation numbers, two separate online check-ins). We have *never* had an issue with one of us flying "on someone else's credit card," regardless of whether the carriers were US-based or foreign.
Ran into similar issues on a recent business trip trying to get a rental car and hotel room for a business trip. Was IMPOSSIBLE without at least having the credit card physically present and at least the I'd of the person letting me use there corporate card.
The policy of having to the credit card used to purchase the airline ticket started when early stages of online ticketing. At that time the card holders were denying purchasing the ticket. You could get hold of a credit card number and charge the ticket. There was no way to verify if a credit card fraud occurred. If you have the CVV code and the billing zip code, tickets can still be purchased and denied by the card holder.
My sister in law lives overseas and bought plane tickets for her adult children to visit her for Thanksgiving, they hit the same problem on Delta. They ended up required to repurchase the tickets on their own credit cards in order to fly. They were not told why this was a problem.
I should say that their return flights were no problem and their credit cards weren't checked in this way. It seems just a US requirement
I flew Frontier once and never again! They are the WORST airline on the planet and this will teach you to never fly Frontier again! I warn as many people as I can to not make the same mistake!
Human trafficking suspicion maybe? It's odd though
This is why I book my granddaughter on a different airline because she's in college and so she can come home for visits and I don't have to deal with this type of drama.
A similar situation happened to me in Taipei on China Airlines.
I work in banking so I’m perplexed by the request. Companies, travel agencies, etc book and pay for individuals tickets quite often. Unless the transaction was flagged as fraud by the cardholder this should not have occurred, not to mention the airline has ZERO authority to request a copy of a credit card. If they had a merchant dispute on the ticket purchase that is certainly not handled by a gate agent/flight supervisor. Amex should...
I work in banking so I’m perplexed by the request. Companies, travel agencies, etc book and pay for individuals tickets quite often. Unless the transaction was flagged as fraud by the cardholder this should not have occurred, not to mention the airline has ZERO authority to request a copy of a credit card. If they had a merchant dispute on the ticket purchase that is certainly not handled by a gate agent/flight supervisor. Amex should be concerned that this occurred and that the airline made such a request.
I was denied by Spicejet years ago on at Bangkok Airport checking in for a flight to India because my card expired after time of purchase and before actual travel date, and while the new renewed card had same number, the expiration date didn't match, and check in agent was insisting to see fully matching physical card.
Had to rebuy completely new tickets
They aren't supposed to know expiry dates of customers' cards due to security reasons. Something is fishy if they insist.
Thai Airways have the same policy, have tried several times where they asked me to show the credit card. Don’t know the reason behind, but it varies a lot on how frequently it is enforced, depending on the specific check in agent.
This happened to one of my employees with QR (I had paid for the ticket). They were in a different US city and try as I might, I wasn't able to get them checked in. Ultimately, they flew the next day after I physically went to the airport closest to me that had a QR flight with my ID, passport and credit card.
Same thing happened with me on Southwest Airlines, Booked flights for my friends using Chase Southwest Priority Credit Card, I was also passenger on the same plane(booked using points) while I booked separate tickets for my friends using my credit card. Southwest without any intimation cancelled the flights. And when I contacted the customer service they instructed me, I had to go down to the Airport with my ID and credit card and vouch for...
Same thing happened with me on Southwest Airlines, Booked flights for my friends using Chase Southwest Priority Credit Card, I was also passenger on the same plane(booked using points) while I booked separate tickets for my friends using my credit card. Southwest without any intimation cancelled the flights. And when I contacted the customer service they instructed me, I had to go down to the Airport with my ID and credit card and vouch for the tickets booked for my friends and get the ticket reinstated for the same price. Travel pending still (next month flight)
Total BS. My employer paid for my ticket and I checked in with my ID and no issues. Same with the flight back home. It was from ATL to Kansas City Missouri. And the back to ATL. Flight out was September and I flew back in early October of 2025. Sounds like a Karen that wanted to be an ass.
That's a bullshit excuse. I flew from ATL to Kansas City, Missouri and back to ATL on frontier and both flights were purchased with a friends card. No issues at all. Sounds like a Karen wanted to make up shit. And this was early September and early October 2025. The first flight he also paid for luggage and the flight back I paid for the luggage. $80 for large under 44lbs is crazy.
I have never had an issue with purchasing my daughter and granddaughter tickets when they fly to FL from up north. I have used my AMEX. Something new?
That was my question.
What happens when you purchase a ticket for your step-son or daughter to or for college or for visits for family functions?
Is this kid going to be stuck at the airport?
That exact scenario happened to my adult niece and nephew. They ended up having to buy new tickets on their own cards though the Delta agent helped refund the first purchases
It would seem to me that F9 wouldn't care about credit card fraud unless they don't paid. Is it possible that Amex raised a concern given the name difference? Given a 3 week lead time, the concern might be that this is a stolen number, and there hasn't been time for the holder to notice and flag. Also is the Amex new (and this discount is part of an inducement package)?
Makes no sense! So i can't pay for my son's school trip ticket which I'm not attending?
we had similar issues with EK and TG, where we booked tickets for our colleagues with my business CC. I think they try fighting cc fraud. Who knows.
Not sure we are getting the full picture here, but if we do, Frontie’s actions are hardly justified. There are far easier paths to verify the purchase, and AmericanExpress could have done it for them immediately after the purchase, rather than at the airport.
The passenger mentions he has purchased tickets on a different friend’s card previously. I can see how having cards under different names used for one person seem suspicious but denying...
Not sure we are getting the full picture here, but if we do, Frontie’s actions are hardly justified. There are far easier paths to verify the purchase, and AmericanExpress could have done it for them immediately after the purchase, rather than at the airport.
The passenger mentions he has purchased tickets on a different friend’s card previously. I can see how having cards under different names used for one person seem suspicious but denying boarding is a super extreme step.
In all likelihood Frontier would have to reimburse the tickets so I can’t even see what they stoop to benefit from this drama
It happens often, especially outside of the US. Airlines combat credit card fraud this way. I had it happen on Ryanair when I booked tickets for my teenage kids (same last name) using my credit card. Ryanair locked the ticket until I followed through their complicated verification process - otherwise they were unable to check in.
Not a shock that an airline with a bellend for a CEO would train his people to do that.
I regularly buy Ryanair (and Aer Lingus) tickets with my AMEX for my wife who did not change her surname to mine on marriage without any issue.
Most every business trip I have gone in was paid with the plant manager's credit card, or the travel card. never questioned in 35 years. never traveled or plan to travel frontier.
@Iman: Such a ridiculous comment saying cc companies forbid merchants verify photo ID with cc. How do you authenticate the legit use of cc strictly by cc holders only from cc thieves? Unsure what you meant " they cannot deny a sale for refusal".
Merchants must be vigilant before swiping the cc because cc banks will not eat the loss when banks guarantee cc holders not ever be responsible for fraudulent transaction. You have...
@Iman: Such a ridiculous comment saying cc companies forbid merchants verify photo ID with cc. How do you authenticate the legit use of cc strictly by cc holders only from cc thieves? Unsure what you meant " they cannot deny a sale for refusal".
Merchants must be vigilant before swiping the cc because cc banks will not eat the loss when banks guarantee cc holders not ever be responsible for fraudulent transaction. You have no idea how prevalent cc fraudulence in this country is. 100% of charge back disputes that I handled were filed by Americans. There are ways to override a transaction when the system acts up. Restaurants, chain hotels and legacy airlines normally win the charge back disputes because cc companies understand there are much more public cheaters than business fraudsters.
Well since WE bailed out almost ALL of these fraudulent banks its really our money so how dare you disrupt, inconvenience and possibly strand someone on the day of travel trying to protect an industry that at its best is shitty! I have never flown Frontier and never will after hearing this. I have 2 grandkids and 6 goddaughters that I frequently buy airline tickets. Most people are not booking last minute so how about...
Well since WE bailed out almost ALL of these fraudulent banks its really our money so how dare you disrupt, inconvenience and possibly strand someone on the day of travel trying to protect an industry that at its best is shitty! I have never flown Frontier and never will after hearing this. I have 2 grandkids and 6 goddaughters that I frequently buy airline tickets. Most people are not booking last minute so how about just using a little effort and some basic human decency and verify before the day of the flight!
So basically, if one were to purchase tickets for their college aged kids to fly home for the holidays, don't fly Frontier. Got it.
Worst airline ever!
My boss regularly buys my plane tickets and it's rare I see him in person at the departure or arrival airport. AA has never asked such a ridiculous question. If Frontier wants to stay in business they really need to get their act together.
It’s the epitome of selective enforcement. Comes up once every ten years or so for me. Last time, it was at CGD flying Turkish and it was my own card (booked many months prior). But since i didn’t have the physical piece of plastic in Paris, I was denied boarding.
I buy tickets for family members to travel to come see me all the time. We have never had this issue with frontier. I have used my points to buy tickets for other people as well. Never have they questioned me or the traveler.
FRONTIER:
.... this sounds like some total BS Frontier story and has NO ground!
Sue them! BIG time.
A scenario, could happen at realtime to ANYBODY:
You buy a ticket with your partner's credit card in January for a flight in June, same year.
That partner dies in February, all cards get closed after you present the death certificate.
Ticket was paid for and valid as ticket was issued,...
FRONTIER:
.... this sounds like some total BS Frontier story and has NO ground!
Sue them! BIG time.
A scenario, could happen at realtime to ANYBODY:
You buy a ticket with your partner's credit card in January for a flight in June, same year.
That partner dies in February, all cards get closed after you present the death certificate.
Ticket was paid for and valid as ticket was issued, wonder how Frontier would handle that?
Same as if your used card was replaced by CC company due to some fraud use in the meantime and card number was changed, but the promo was used.
Different story is, if at time of purchase, the approval from a short notice ticket sale still is on PENDING with credit card . . . then i would understand, that some automatism would kick in, for additional identification, BUT i doubt, ANY US airline had such modern IT installed?
FRONTIER, a carrier with it's own laws!
P.S. remember flying once CLE-CUN, all over sudden flight was overbooked, final result "stand-by" at departure gate, then got accepted 1 minute before departure, but ticket was never used in their system, asked for FULL refund 2 month later and got full refund! That's how this airline works.
This happened to me in November 2025. The passenger's name and confirmation code wouldn't be used on the app they downloaded on their phones. I was able to go on frontiers website and clicked customer service and there I entered their last name and flight number. But then it would stall out so I had to use two different browsers back and forth for over 2 hours to confirm the flights. I printed to PDF...
This happened to me in November 2025. The passenger's name and confirmation code wouldn't be used on the app they downloaded on their phones. I was able to go on frontiers website and clicked customer service and there I entered their last name and flight number. But then it would stall out so I had to use two different browsers back and forth for over 2 hours to confirm the flights. I printed to PDF the confirmation code and check in and emailed that to them and they used that to board. But it was a great hassle.
From whose pocket is the $50 credit coming? Is AmEx giving away money to cardholders, to buy gifts for non-cardholders? Or is Frontier targeting its promotion to passengers who have AmEx cards?
(Incidentally, someone should ask AmEx about having naming rights to a stadium in Britain where newspaper reporters are banned because they write stories about the gambling habits of the owner of the team that plays there.)
I filed a DOT complaint in July and I’ve yet to hear a thing from them.
I'd contact Amex and ask about their policy in such a situation. Usually their terms with the merchant would prohibit such a practice. For example, credit card companies usually prohibit merchants from requiring ID verification to allow a card to be used; they cannot deny a sale for refusal, but it may depend on different factors. The credit card company wants to remove friction from the sale process to encourage more use. I would suspect...
I'd contact Amex and ask about their policy in such a situation. Usually their terms with the merchant would prohibit such a practice. For example, credit card companies usually prohibit merchants from requiring ID verification to allow a card to be used; they cannot deny a sale for refusal, but it may depend on different factors. The credit card company wants to remove friction from the sale process to encourage more use. I would suspect that Amex would reverse the Frontier charge. You'd probably have to sue Frontier for any additional loss due to a higher fare paid with American, but I doubt that's worth it.
There’s always the option - dependent on State… - of suing in State or Federal court with a jury trial and requesting punitive damages which in many States are unlimited.
Tha will get their attention without a doubt!!
Might be fun just to get their name in the news and refuse to negotiate so the jury can actually dish out proper punishment.
Can’t think of a way for Frontier to find a sympathetic jury anywhere…..
I never buy tickets for anyone on my card unless we are travelling together and vice versa. You have no idea what kind of check-in agent you are going to get. Better safe than sorry.
In this situation, do they refund the purchaser and allow the passenger to put the flight on their own personal card at the airport? Seems like that would be the easy fix.
Yes, that's generally allowed.
Sometimes at check-in there is a prompt to verify credit card meaning it's been flagged by corp security or the CC provider or the cardholder has claimed fraud against the airline in the past.
Isn’t it IDB?
Hard to know what happened. Maybe FL suspected theft. It's not like they get the OW First Class lounge crowd. Or agents poorly trained.
I pay with my credit card all the time for other people's tickets on a variety of airlines including BA, Virgin Atlantic and even low cost airlines as Ryanair and Wizz and have never had an issue. I also buy tickets for family members using mileage points especially on Virgin and again have never had an issue.
He should request that the airline show him exactly where it is in their condition of carriage that...
I pay with my credit card all the time for other people's tickets on a variety of airlines including BA, Virgin Atlantic and even low cost airlines as Ryanair and Wizz and have never had an issue. I also buy tickets for family members using mileage points especially on Virgin and again have never had an issue.
He should request that the airline show him exactly where it is in their condition of carriage that he may not purchase tickets using other people's credit cards and if they are unable to supply this he should request a refund from his credit card.
I have bought dozens of tickets for my parents and my husband using my credit card and never run into this issue. At my last employer, air ticket purchases went on a companywide virtual credit card. Can’t imagine too many companies have ticket contracts with F9 but I wonder how that works if this is a hidden policy? Maybe it auto-flags corporate bookings to avoid it.
American Express offers https://verifyitinter.americanexpress.com/aavweb/gns/MerchantEntry.do that Frontier could have used if they had concerns about a potentially fraudulent transaction. Other issuers have merchant verification tools in place as well, which would allow them to confirm the card holder name, billing address and phone number. What they had done makes absolutely no sense and should be punished by DOT.
Is there possibly something to do with TSA / anti-terrorism issues going on here where the airlines are being forced to flag people whose tickets are not paid for by their own bank accounts or credit cards, and the airlines are not allowed to explain what's going on?
Based on a review of Frontier Airlines' official documents (including their Contract of Carriage and Customer Service Plan) and broader searches for similar incidents, Frontier's actions in this case do not appear to align with their publicly published policies. I'll break this down step by step, then address potential explanations and recommended next steps.
1. **Key Elements of the Incident**
- **Ticket Purchase**: A friend used their American Express card (via an Amex...
Based on a review of Frontier Airlines' official documents (including their Contract of Carriage and Customer Service Plan) and broader searches for similar incidents, Frontier's actions in this case do not appear to align with their publicly published policies. I'll break this down step by step, then address potential explanations and recommended next steps.
1. **Key Elements of the Incident**
- **Ticket Purchase**: A friend used their American Express card (via an Amex Offers promotion) to buy a domestic Frontier ticket for the traveler. This is a standard practice for domestic U.S. flights, as airlines generally allow third-party purchases without restrictions.
- **Check-In Issue**: Online check-in failed, prompting contact with Frontier support. Support instructed the traveler to bring copies of the cardholder's ID and credit card—**which the traveler did**.
- **At the Airport**: Agents insisted the cardholder must be **physically present at the departure airport** with the original card. They claimed this was verified internally, couldn't happen at another Frontier station, violated the Contract of Carriage, and that Frontier prohibits tickets bought by non-travelers.
- **Outcome**: The traveler was denied boarding, booked on American Airlines instead, and was refused written policy documentation.
- **Prior Experience**: The same friend successfully bought separate Frontier tickets using the same promotion in August, with no issues.
This resulted in an **involuntary denied boarding** (not due to overbooking, but a verification dispute), causing the traveler to incur extra costs and stress.
#### 2. **Alignment with Frontier's Published Policies**
Frontier's official Contract of Carriage (their binding legal document for passengers) and FAQs do **not** mention any requirement for credit card verification at check-in, let alone the cardholder's physical presence. Here's a summary of relevant sections:
| Policy Area | Frontier's Stated Policy | Alignment with Incident |
|-------------|---------------------------|--------------------------|
| **Ticket Purchases & Payment** | Accepts Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover. No restrictions on third-party purchases (e.g., buying for family/friends). Credits/vouchers must match the passenger's name but can be redeemed with a credit card for any balance. | **Does not align**. No policy prohibits non-travelers from buying tickets. This is common industry-wide for domestic flights. |
| **Credit Card Verification** | No mention of routine card verification at check-in. Their co-branded card (Frontier World Mastercard) requires eligibility verification via email for bonuses, but that's unrelated to ticket purchases. | **Does not align**. Searches show no published rule requiring ID/card presentation, copies, or presence. Initial support advice (bring copies) contradicts the airport's escalation. |
| **Check-In Requirements** | Online/mobile check-in opens 24 hours before departure; airport check-in cutoff is 60 minutes for domestic flights. No fraud-related verification mentioned. | **Partially aligns** (cutoff timing), but the denial wasn't for lateness—it was for unlisted verification. Online failure suggests a backend flag, not a policy violation. |
| **Denied Boarding** | For involuntary cases (e.g., overbooking), Frontier must provide: (1) a written statement explaining rights and priority; (2) rebooking or refund; (3) compensation (200-400% of fare, up to $1,550). Goal: Seek volunteers first to avoid involuntary bumps. | **Does not align**. This wasn't overbooking, so standard compensation may not apply directly. However, they refused a written explanation, violating the general requirement for transparency in denials. No rebooking/refund/comp offered here. |
| **Contract of Carriage Claims** | No sections on "fraud prevention" via card presence or banning third-party buys. Promotions (e.g., Amex Offers) aren't addressed as triggering extra scrutiny. | **Does not align**. The supervisor's claim is unsubstantiated—likely agent error or internal guideline not publicized. |
In short: Frontier's published rules support third-party purchases and don't require cardholder presence. The denial seems like an inconsistent application of an unpublished (or misapplied) internal procedure. No widespread reports of this exact issue exist beyond this OMAAT story (published today, Dec 8, 2025), suggesting it's not a standard enforcement.
#### 3. **Possible Explanations for What Happened**
While the actions don't match published policy, airlines like Frontier (an ultra-low-cost carrier) often use internal fraud-detection tools that flag "unusual" bookings. Here's what might explain it, based on industry patterns and comments from the OMAAT thread:
- **Fraud Flag on the Booking**: The system may have auto-flagged the ticket due to mismatched names (traveler vs. cardholder), especially with a promotional Amex purchase. Airlines partner with payment processors (e.g., for chargebacks) and use algorithms to detect patterns like high-volume promo use, which could mimic fraud. Your prior August booking worked because it didn't hit the same threshold.
- **Inconsistent Agent Training**: Support said "bring copies," but airport agents escalated to "must be present." This points to poor communication between teams. Frontier's frontline staff handle high volumes with minimal training, leading to "malicious compliance" (as one commenter noted)—over-enforcing to avoid liability.
- **Unpublished Internal Guideline**: Some airlines (e.g., Delta, per OMAAT comments) have soft policies on card matching but warn at booking. Frontier might have a similar "fraud prevention" rule for certain flags, but it's not in the Contract of Carriage, making it unenforceable if challenged.
- **Motive?** Not tracking Amex Offers specifically (too niche), but preventing chargeback fraud (e.g., disputed tickets). For a low-margin airline, even small fraud adds up. However, requiring presence is impractical and not customer-friendly—why not allow video verification or notarized affidavits?
- **Other Factors Ruled Out**: No evidence of overbooking, name mismatches, or promo abuse here. The traveler followed instructions perfectly.
This echoes OMAAT comments: It feels like "harming you for your own good," and it's "knowable at booking, not check-in."
#### 4. **Recommended Actions**
Don't expect quick fixes from Frontier's standard channels—they're notoriously unresponsive (as noted in OMAAT and Reddit threads). Focus on escalation and documentation. Here's a prioritized plan:
| Step | Action | Why? | Timeline & Tips |
|------|--------|------|-----------------|
| **1. Document Everything** | Compile emails, timestamps, support chats, photos of ID/card copies, American ticket receipt, and airport interaction notes. Request the written denial statement (they're required to provide it). | Builds a case for disputes/refunds. Proves involuntary denial. | Immediate. Email Frontier at [email protected] with subject: "Request for Written Denied Boarding Explanation - Confirmation [Your #]". |
| **2. Escalate Internally** | Contact Frontier's Corporate Communications (as OMAAT plans: [email protected]) and file a formal complaint via their site (flyfrontier.com/contact-us). Reference the Contract of Carriage mismatch. | Bypasses frontline; may yield goodwill credit/refund (e.g., vouchers for the fare + American ticket cost). | 1-3 days. Be polite but firm: "This violated your policies and caused $X in damages." |
| **3. Credit Card Dispute** | File a chargeback with Amex for the original ticket (reason: "services not provided"). Include docs. | Amex is traveler-friendly; likely full refund. Avoid if you want future Frontier flights (risks "friendly fraud" flag). | Within 120 days of charge. The friend (cardholder) files, but traveler can coordinate. |
| **4. DOT Complaint (If Needed)** | File at transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint if no resolution. Cite involuntary denied boarding without compensation/explanation. | DOT fines airlines for violations; pressures Frontier (they track complaints publicly). Not for "bad service" alone, but fits here. Expect 60-90 days; possible $100-400 compensation if ruled valid. | After internal escalation fails (1-2 weeks). Include all docs; DOT mediates but doesn't award damages directly. |
| **5. Public Pressure** | Post on OMAAT/Reddit (r/frontierairlines), X (@FlyFrontier), or FlyerTalk. Tag influencers like @OneMileAtATime. | Amplifies visibility; airlines respond faster to bad PR. OMAAT's thread already has 13+ comments—add yours. | Ongoing. Phrase as: "Frontier denied boarding despite following policy—seeking resolution." |
| **6. Avoid Future Risks** | For Frontier, book in the traveler's name or use PayPal/Venmo for third-party buys. Check Delta's policy link (from comments) for comparisons. | Prevents repeats on ULCCs. |
**Bottom Line**: This smells like a frontline overreach on a fraud flag, not policy enforcement. The traveler deserves a refund/credit for both tickets plus hassle. Start with documentation and internal escalation—DOT if it drags. If it's the Amex savings at stake (~$50-100?), the effort might outweigh it, but principle-wise, push back. Congrats on the American pivot; sounds smoother. If you share more details (e.g., confirmation #), I can refine this. Safe travels!
Ugh. AI...
You're the UGH. You dummy! I did not present a strongly researched (and irrefutable) thesis to be disrespected
You're the UGH. You dummy! I did not present a strongly researched (and irrefutable) thesis to be disrespected
If this explanation was for a patient in a hospital bed then the mumbo jumbo would find the patient expired.
Pushers of AI slop get the rope.
Delta is known to not let passengers board when their tickets was bought on someone else’s card.
I bought a flight on Delta for a friend visiting me and there were no problems. Like others responding here, I've done the same multiple times on multiple airlines with no issues
This should seldom happen domestically, but credit card verification occurs quite frequently for international travelers, especially on obscure airlines or routes with high fraudulent activity. Think last-minute ticket purchases to African countries, etc. (Source I use to work as a check-in agent an dmany times the system would flag the check-in porcess and make us scan a copy of the pruchasers ID & CC before being able to contuie check-n)
I've been prompted to verify my card when purchasing the ticket online, but never been prompted to produce the credit card at the airport (except where the card is a part of lounge admittance).
I buy tickets almost everyday for any of my nearly 100 employees. I pay for their room and board. I give them 8 weeks of vacation every year and I pay for the travel expenses if they choose to go somewhere. I put a $2k limit on expenses, and im happy to pay it. I just don't understand why more business owners aren't doing this.
I am completely rewriting the rules of how to be...
I buy tickets almost everyday for any of my nearly 100 employees. I pay for their room and board. I give them 8 weeks of vacation every year and I pay for the travel expenses if they choose to go somewhere. I put a $2k limit on expenses, and im happy to pay it. I just don't understand why more business owners aren't doing this.
I am completely rewriting the rules of how to be a successful business owner and how to treat employees like family. At the end of the day, they feel like they owe me something and they work 100x harder. I'm only 30 years young and I have a hot wife who is 22. We met 4 years ago. Everything is looking good and I support any airlines or passengers that feel the need to work things out like credit card issues and passenger verification. These ate important issues for both Frontier and the father.
I just flew Frontier from PHX to DTW last week. It was at the request of a client as I never fly them. I could not check in on their app (it kept timing out) so when I got to the counter I had to pay $25 for the airline to check me in. Then, they notified me that I was on the No Fly list! After I got a supervisor they fixed that they...
I just flew Frontier from PHX to DTW last week. It was at the request of a client as I never fly them. I could not check in on their app (it kept timing out) so when I got to the counter I had to pay $25 for the airline to check me in. Then, they notified me that I was on the No Fly list! After I got a supervisor they fixed that they then could not get me a boarding pass with my TS pre Check on it...insisting I was not signed up (I am). I finally gave up and just got the flight over with. I would not book my worst enemy on this airline.
IANAL but I'd say to reverse the $25 charge on the grounds that the airline didn't let you check in online and the issue was due to an error on their part. This goes double since this is, I suspect, an airline that not only would you not mind burning bridges with but where those burned bridges might be...strategically useful in the face of future client requests.
I bought over 50 tickets on Delta, 150+ American for emplyees this year. Never any issues whatsover.
I'm sure buying tickets for others happens thousands of times on the daily, whether it be people buying tickets for elderly relatives, parents purchasing travel for younger children, spouses buying tickets for their partners, etc. Frontier must have seen something strange here
Seems like 'malicious compliance' masked as 'fraud prevention'...
Something along the lines of... "We're harming you for your own good and you're gonna like it!"
I doubt F9 wants to do anything that hurts its revenue stream. Like others have said, there is more behind the scene here
All hail the organ grinders monkey posts.
I really like this trend of Lucky the Airline Ombudsman a la Christopher Elliott.
Far better than the faux-ombudsman at TPG who just shill for the big-companies...
Or whine clinic extortionist.
This seems knowable at the time of booking, not at the time of checkin.
When I bought a ticket for a colleague going to Kenya on Air France, there was a warning message at the time of purchase/ticketing that I would need to be present at checkin and with the credit card used. So I went with my colleague to the airport to check him in but they never asked for my ID or credit card! I understand that they may have experienced fraud issues in order to require this but it does make it difficult. We bought the ticket a month out.
He probably bought the use of the offers from a certain website forum and the airline flagged the second flight using the promo for being brokered since several of the sellers are high volume.
this is not possible and even if it was would hardly be worth the amount saved here.
Delta has this policy but it's seldom if ever applied.
https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/deltas-credit-card-policy/
Delta warns you before processing the payment if a credit card is required to be shown. Seems like common senses to me.
I understand why they have this requirement, but a picture of the physical card should suffice. I opened my Amex bill a few years back and had a $10,000 flight charged to my card - for people who were not me, from a departure city that isn't mine, to Kuala Lampur (I've never been to Asia), in first-class (I've never paid for a first-class ticket). My card info had been stolen from a restaurant (breach...
I understand why they have this requirement, but a picture of the physical card should suffice. I opened my Amex bill a few years back and had a $10,000 flight charged to my card - for people who were not me, from a departure city that isn't mine, to Kuala Lampur (I've never been to Asia), in first-class (I've never paid for a first-class ticket). My card info had been stolen from a restaurant (breach reported a few months later). But I buy tickets for my wife all the time since I have most of the reward credit cards, so this could definitely be an issue.
Do you know how easy it is to photoshop a credit card number? Asking to see it in person means they'd have to go to the trouble of getting a fake card printed, which is much more effort.