Just to pull things back into topic, does anyone have any misconnecting experiences at LAX? That is, booked onward flight from LAX (not part of AKL-LAX-LHR) but misconnected (albeit all on one ticket)?
I assume even if my folks misconnect (and are on one ticket) that there will be no problem for UA, i.e. they'll just put them on the next flight (hopefully there is another flight to ORD after theirs, lest they have to spend the night). I assume then there will be no other kind of compensation for them (meals, etc. - they have no status...)
I guess the only thing to keep in mind will be travel insurance just in case they get put on a red-eye and miss their hotel reservation.