I flew HKG-NRT-SJC November 99 with the HKG-NRT on Cathay and the NRT-SJC on AA. Checked in at HKG and picked up my luggage at
SJC no problems. In October 99, I flew
SJC-NRT-HKG-MNL (going for a oneworld promo to fly different carriers) with the SJC-NRT on AA, NRT-HKG on CX, then HKG-MNL on British Airways. Since our schedule for arriving into HKG was late at night, we had to spend the nite at the airport to catch the British Airways flight the next morning. CX in NRT realized that and did a special for us by checking our bags all the way through to Manila, so we wouldn't have to pick them up at Hong Kong since we were catching the next flight out in the morning. Technically speaking, we were required to pick up our bags in Hong Kong since we were considered to be there overnite. The lounges and the "plat" status were lifesavers for that trip (myself, wife, and 2 year old). Sometimes you'll get favors like that if you get a reasonable minded counter person. Thanks again Cathay.