Upvote:1
I have often bought (and paid with my credit card) tickets for friends, without traveling with them (or being anywhere within 5000 miles when they check in). There was never any issue.
This applies to travel within and between Europe, the USA, India, and Central America.
When you buy the ticket online, there are separate fields for the person that flies and the credit card holder. As long as the credit card works to pay the price, the airline would not care a second.
Upvote:4
If the card holder is present at check-in but doesn't travel, would they let the traveler board?
Yes, typically. It's always worked for me and my kids.
Some airlines sometimes might just refund the first purchase and ask to pay the same price with a different card that the traveler has available. Would they accept cash instead of a second card?
I don't see why not (although you should probably check with the airline).
Is it possible to just buy the ticket at the airport with cash?
Certainly. (Although in the US, the TSA has an insane theory that terrorists pay cash, so don't be surprised if you get an extra screening.)
Would this cost more than buying online if the ticket is for a flight departing the same day anyway?
Probably. It isn't going to cost less, that's for sure.