Layover in Munich

I will answer as many questions as I can. 1 - they should take a debit card, but call your card company and ask for sure 2 - Most likely it would convert to Euro, however, sometimes you have the option to charge in dollars, although I have only seen that done in Switzerlan. 3 - Good luck with the middle seat. Maybe there will be an open aisle or window you could switch to. Bring a neck pillow and do your best. Maybe when you check in you can ask the gate agent to switch you. 4 - Never flown Lufthansa so not sure about the food
5 - I would recommend having a smaller "day pack" to put under your seat with whatever you think you might need to have access to so you can avoid getting out. The other stuff keep in the overhead bins.

Use your debit card to get cash at the AP, and use the cash for your purchases. If you must use plastic, use a credit card, not the debit card. And, as noted above, notify your bank(s) for each card. Your backpack will have to go overhead on the plane if it is too large to fit under the seat in front of you. So you will probably want to transfer items to a small bag if you expect to need them on the plane. Don't count on sleeping for more than a few minutes at a time in the middle seat or getting a good meal in coach with any airline. All this sounds like a lot of trouble, but it is worth the effort. Have a good trip! EDIT: Just to be clear, Use your debit card to get cash from an ATM at the AP, not at a shop.

Lufthansa's terminal at Munich Airport is one of the best in the world! To start there is free coffee/tea/hot chocolate for all passengers set up on tables throughout the building. Also lots of great shopping, and dining choices. Magnetic strip credit/debit cards will work fine for purchases.

Lots of good advice here. Stores should take a debit card but, as already noted, tell your bank you'll be in Germany. The merchant will receive Euros regardless. If you withdraw money, do it from a bank's ATM for the best rate. Good luck sleeping! As for Lufthansa's food -- I've flown with them dozens of times -- sorry, you won't be happy -- just take along a nice sandwich if you want a sure thing. I don't understand your backpack question. You can't put it by your seat if there's someone else sleeping there already. When you get to your seat, just take out the few items you'll need and put it overhead.

Lufthansa is a better overall experience than U.S. airlines, as I recall their food is fine. It's not a bad idea to have some subset of your stuff under the seat in front of you, but I would not store your whole carry on there, need the leg room on a long flight. I would not get your hopes up about being able to sleep in a middle seat, depends upon a lot of things and it tends to be hit or miss for me, even with my preferred option of a window seat. In the middle, it would be nearly impossible for me except on a flight leaving at midnight or thereabouts. Give it a try though, you may be one of the lucky ones!

As far as using plastic is concerned, I almost always get Euro from the ATM using a debit card and pay in cash. The ATMs take North American mag strip cards. Occasionally, I have had to use plastic, usually in a Bahn ticket machine. They, also take strip cards. I've never used a card with a merchant, but I understand some might not take a strip card. I try to fly Lufthansa whenever possible. There food is definitely better than any of the American flag airlines I have been on. You can't put your backpack on the seat during takeoff and landing. Get a small "purse" that will fit under the seat in front of you.

Thank you all for the tips! It is greatly appreciated.

Hi, Munich airport (MUC) is one of the best airports around, certainly an excellent one to spend a layover. You can still try to sleep if you're in the middle, that wouldn't stop me. As for food I've had both good and mediocre on Lufthansa, whereas BA and Air France were consistently good to very good.