Air New Zealand Air Points - IAH-LAX-AKL question

I am flying IAH-LAX-AKL as follows (2 seperate tickets, Continental Airline & Air New Zealand):

IAH-LAX CO1605 DEP 12:05pm 06/01/08, ARR 13:43pm 06/01/08
LAX-AKL NZ5 DEP 21:30pm 06/01/08, ARR 07:15am 08/01/08

Can I check bags through from IAH to AKL? and also get BP at IAH?
If so, on arrival at LAX (T 6), do I still need to collect my bags, take them through customs, then drop them on tranfer belt?

Then I will go to Koru Club at T 2.

Thanks.

Simply don't know if CO and NZ interline baggage... but I can pretty much guarantee you'll at least need to visit NZ check in for boarding passes....

Have to do that even with connecting UA/US flights...

Simply don't know if CO and NZ interline baggage... but I can pretty much guarantee you'll at least need to visit NZ check in for boarding passes....

Have to do that even with connecting UA/US flights...

thank you very much.

No worries! Hope someone can help with that more important question...

Still you have plenty of time.... if it IS necessary to cart your bags over...:D

No worries! Hope someone can help with that more important question...

Still you have plenty of time.... if it IS necessary to cart your bags over...:D

True, but since NZ check in will not be open at the scheduled arrival time in LAX it is an awkward transfer if you have no BP and have bags to lug around.

True, but since NZ check in will not be open at the scheduled arrival time in LAX it is an awkward transfer if you have no BP and have bags to lug around.

Thank you for your opinion.
Is Air NZ opening time of their check-in counters 1:30PM? Could anyone confirm? Thanks.

Thank you for your opinion.
Is Air NZ opening time of their check-in counters 1:30PM? Could anyone confirm? Thanks.

The flight will open for check in at LAX about 4 hours prior to departure.

The flight will open for check in at LAX about 4 hours prior to departure.

Thank you for your prompt reply. Can I go to Koru Club lounge first?

Thank you for your prompt reply. Can I go to Koru Club lounge first?

LAX international lounge (not Koru Club) is airside and you must have a same day boarding pass for a flight departing from LAX T2 to get airside. If you have BP and have deposited your luggage (either with Air NZ or was tagged through) then you can enter airside and visit the NZ lounge (assuming *G and/or flying business class).

OUCH!!

Didn't even think of that!!!

Thanks for the tip!... I better bear that in mind for the future... I have arrived "quite" early at LAX before on the day of departure.. I must have just scraped in soon after check in opened....;)