Air New Zealand Air Points - checking bags through separate PNRs to USA

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Recently I checked in for my CHC AKL SFO flights on NZ.

I wanted to check my bag through on AA SFO ORD on a separate pnr. The agent said this was not possible.

Is it possible?

Other airlines do it...ie I have done UAL SYD SFO / AA SFO ORD and also AA DFW LAX / NZ LAX AKL.

Was she just being lazy?

NZ at AKL (premium lobby) have done it for me a number of times in the past - perhaps the domestic locations are less skilled at less familliar situations?

Should be doable. I am guessing the agent may be confused re customs rules in USA requiring bag to be collected at SFO and rechecked.

My guess she was lazy and did not want to look up connection rules, etc.

I've encountered this at both AKL and CHC. Utter refusal to check through on a separate PNR. Even called over a supervisor. I always assumed it was a silly AirNZ rule.