A self-made millionaire has shared a savvy tip to protect your wallet in case your luggage goes missing at the airport . Mark Tilbury , an entrepreneur and finance guru with a following of 6.29 million subscribers on YouTube , dispensed this pearl of wisdom in a recent video. In his clip titled ‘ Airport travel hacks you need to know’, Mark divulged five essential steps he follows ahead of every flight – one being carrying an empty water bottle to swerve expensive airport beverages and another inserting an AirTag into his baggage. But perhaps his most valuable piece of advice is a straightforward action that could save you a heap of money should your bags either disappear or be stolen, executed just before checking in. He suggested: “First, I take a picture of my luggage just before check-in so I can claim up to $3,800 (around £2,763) if it gets lost or stolen.” Travel and Leisure Magazine write about the significance of snapping your luggage , noting that such pictures could be pivotal evidence for receiving compensation in the unfortunate scenario where your suitcase is damaged or goes missing. In the United States, airlines are required to compensate if bags are “damaged, delayed, or lost”, writes the Department of Transportation. It adds that this refers to “reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses”. The guidance acknowledges that potential compensation for mishandled luggage is “subject to the maximum liability limits” – with airlines’ payouts capped at $3,800 (nearly £2,800) for domestic and $1,780 (almost £1,300) for international travel. These figures represent the highest amounts airlines are required to pay. It’s a similar case in the UK. Citizens Advice states on its website that passengers have the legal right to claim compensation from an airline if their luggage is delayed, lost or damaged. Yet, the organisation also emphasised that airlines often won’t pay more than about £1,000 in total compensation. Moreover, Citizens Advice clarifies that claims regarding cabin baggage can only be pursued if the airline is at fault. The advice also mentions that if a traveller has travel or home contents insurance covering luggage losses, they might find claiming through insurance simpler and potentially more lucrative. It follows a recent report cautioning passengers against packing certain items in their luggage to avoid complications with airport security. Restrictions focus on various items, including food and powders, frozen goods, lighters, chargers, batteries, and electronics. Meanwhile, Cody Candee, CEO and founder of luggage storage firm Bounce.com , offered insights on the strict regulations around liquids at airports. He commented: “Many travellers are caught out by having their items seized without realising they count as liquids, such as cosmetics like lip gloss and liquid eyeliner, or foods like sauces and jams.” If you can “spread, smear, or squirt the item”, it’s probably a liquid, Cody mentioned, advising that if there’s any doubt, it’s wiser to put it in your checked luggage or “leave it behind”. For more information on claiming compensation, visit the Citizens Advice website here .