Originally Posted by
MSPpete
...
Thanks for the thoughtful analysis. With this info I can contact NZ and get a written confirmation that I can bring to NAN when I check-in.

Let me know how it goes if you don't mind. I'm on a UA *A F award this Fall, all on one PNR of course:
IAD-LAX-SYD(stopover)-ZQN(dest/openjaw)-CHC-SYD-SFO-IAD
O - O - X - X- O -I
and would definitely like to take something with me in case I run into problems at check-in.
I called ANZ 1-800 number a few weeks ago and asked what my bag allowance was and the agent said, "I don't know, ask United".