Thank you both for your help! I got the Austrian ticket for a steal but it's not refundable and I'm still trying to figure out if I can make any changes (it's not likely) so hopefully I can check my luggage all the way through or I think I'll be out $. Thanks again and I'll re-post in July with the final outcome so others know.
I've been told it can sometimes be as simple as the who you deal with at check in. Some agents will connect your luggage for you, others will not. We shall see...