As I stated in the first line of my post, one single record locator (i.e., one reservation with one record locator which I assume, perhaps incorrectly, is the definition of "one ticket") issued by United will provide the through ticketing between LIM and JNB via GRU (on TA connecting at GRU with SA). I assume (once again, perhaps wrongly) that if I check in for the TA flight in Lima less than 24 hours before the SA flight is scheduled to depart GRU, TA-- as a member of Star Alliance and given that I will be flying on what I understand to be a single ticket-- can give me boarding passes all the way through to JNB.

The problem is that I have a 12 1/2 hour connecting time at GRU (although not overnight).

The Avianca agent-- who didn't seem to fully understand what I was asking-- claimed the maximum international to international connecting time for baggage arriving into GRU on TA was six hours. If that is correct, I simply cannot check bags through even if I have a single ticket (i.e., one record locator) issued by United and was also able to get my boarding passes for both flights printed in Lima when I checked in with TA (Avianca). Can anyone, based upon their actual experience with TA at GRU, confirm whether or not baggage connecting times greater than six hours are allowed by TA at GRU? That's why I am anxious to get feedback from people who have actually flown TA into GRU.

Also if I can't check baggage through, I really need to know if TA has a strict or accommodating carry-on policy (again, in case it makes a difference, I will be flying business class and will have Star Alliance Gold Premier status). While the only recent problem I have had with an airline's carry on and/or checked baggage limitation was when I flew NZ a couple of years ago in coach (that was before I had Star Alliance Gold status), I can't afford to get caught unprepared when I board my TA flight at LIM given that I won't have a Brazilian visa.