would you be concerned about international travel right now?

[grasswire]

A family member is going to a humanitarian pilgrimage in rural Transylvania for several weeks, leaving on Saturday.

Would there be any reason in this economic turmoil to be concerned? Any chance of Lufthansa going under? Any chance of trouble when trying to convert dollars to Euros?

[Vincardog]

1. Make sure they pay for round Trip tickets before they leave. You never know when

the BIG crash will hit the dollar.

[izquierdista]

2. Don't worry about it

The German government could go under before Lufthansa would. They could have new elections, get the government running again, all while Lufthansa and DeutscheBahn keep to their schedules.

The only problem converting dollars to Euros will be trying to find a good rate. The buy/sell spread can be as high as 8% in some places. Better to have an ATM card and make your withdrawals in Euros when you need it. That way you only pay around 1% bank fee. ATMs are everywhere, usually several in any train station, even the most remote.

[damntexdem]

3. Actually, it might be a good idea -- especially if the plan is to not come back.

And that goes quadruple if McCain/Palin are declared the winners after Nov. 4.

[Doctor Cynic]

4. Just remember: don't fly Alitalia.

A last-ditch funding package was killed.

Now the flights will be cut.