Interline on two tickets - baggage question?
I'm considering using the AMEX MR 35% transfer to top off a one-way Upper Class award ORD-LHR and connect to a revenue LH or BA flight LHR-MUC. Since this will be two tickets, and I will definitely have a checked bag, will Virgin transfer the bag to LH/BA for me or will I have to claim it and lug it to the other terminal to recheck? [When I took this approach with AF/LH last year on two tickets, there was no problem with AF checking the bag, but I know that for example DL has stopped this practice.]
The connection time would be a reasonably leisurely 3 hours for LH, or 4 hours for BA.
My alternative is ORD-BRU-MUC on UA/LH, with again a nearly 3 hour layover. The VS/LH has taxes/fuel and a paid coach segment, but I don't value the VS miles nearly as much as I value the UA miles, so it ends up being a wash financially.