[bzbarsky]

It really depends on the currency. The odds of Euros, say, going "bad" on a scale of months to years are fairly nonzero. Similar for currencies with high inflation rates.

[kaybe]

You're not supposed to hang on to it for years. Surely you have to pay for transportation to the airport at least?

[bzbarsky]

That depends. The last international flight I took, I walked to the airport in the origination country. ;)

[kaybe]

Where was that? Here you're lucky if the airport is closer than 50km.

[bzbarsky]

Toronto City Airport, in my case.

But yes, it's not a common situation.